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Clientele : Married and Civil Union Spouses Subject : Getting Married Abroad Print date : February 9th, 2012

Married and Civil Union Spouses
The Consequences of Your Union
Getting Married Abroad
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You dream of getting married under the palm trees by the sea, somewhere in an exotic place outside Quebec. You also want this marriage to be recognized in Quebec.

Do you know how to prevent your perfect day from becoming a legal nightmare?

In this Infosheet, Éducaloi explains the rules for getting married abroad and the steps to follow ahead of time. You will also learn about the rights and responsibilities that flow from this type of marriage.
Yes. It is possible to get married abroad. But each country has its own rules about the procedure to follow.

A marriage ceremony is covered by the laws of the place where the ceremony takes place and Quebec law if the people getting married are from Quebec.

Before getting married, couples from Quebec must meet certain requirements:

  • The two people getting married must be at least 16 years old. If they are under 18, their parents or guardians must agree to the marriage. “Guardians” are people who take the place of parents.

  • The two people getting married must be able to freely agree to the marriage and understand the consequences. For example, the marriage would not be valid if one person agreed to it due to threats.

  • The people getting married cannot still be married to someone else (even if they have been separated for a number of years).

  • The people getting married must not be related in a way that is against the law. For example, marriages cannot take place between brother and sister, father and daughter, mother and son, grandfather and granddaughter, or grandmother and grandson. However, marriage between cousins is allowed.

Obviously, there can be some complicated situations. For example, if you are from Quebec and you marry an Italian while travelling in Spain, several countries are involved: Canada, Italy and Spain. In complicated cases, it can be a good idea to consult a lawyer or notary. The rules could vary depending on the situation, since several laws are involved.
Quebec law recognizes marriages in all countries as long as the ceremony respects Quebec rules.

Quebec’s rules include the following:

  • The marriage ceremony must be public.

  • It must be performed by someone who is qualified under the laws of that country to perform marriages.

  • Two witnesses must be present.

  • Notice of the marriage must be published before the ceremony.

The embassy or consulate of the country where you want to marry can give you information about the requirements. Offices of the Canadian government abroad can also provide information about the rules in other countries.
A marriage abroad will be recognized automatically if the rules on marriage ceremonies in the foreign country were respected and the requirements in Quebec and Canadian laws (explained above) were met.

It can be a good idea to send the marriage certificate from the foreign country to the Québec register of civil status. Putting the marriage certificate into the register can make it easier to deal with Quebec departments and agencies.

To put the marriage certificate into the Québec register, the people married must meet these conditions:

  • They must have their domicile (main place of residence) in Quebec.

  • They must give proof that they are domiciled in Quebec to the registrar of civil status along with an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate.

  • If this marriage certificate is not in French or English, they must provide an official translation in French or English done by a translator belonging to the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (order of translators.
Not all countries have the same rules about the documents couples must have and steps they must take before a wedding.

The embassy or consulate of the country where the marriage is taking place can provide information about these rules.

For example, let’s say that Peter and Diana decide to get married in Costa Rica. They call the embassy and learn that they must bring these documents:

  • a certificate of civil status proving that they are not already married (available from the Québec registrar of civil status)

  • a divorce certificate or death certificate if one or both has been married before

  • a birth certificate

They must also have each of these documents certified by the Costa Rican consulate in Quebec before their departure and at least six months before the marriage.

Peter and Diane must have these documents with them at the time of the marriage ceremony at the city hall of their choice in Costa Rica. Two other people must act as witnesses and must prove the identities of Peter and Diane.
Yes. Quebecers who live in Quebec and who married validly abroad have the same rights and responsibilities as couples married in Quebec.

However, the situation could be different if one of the people getting married is not from Quebec, or if the couple decides not to live in Quebec. In this case, you should contact a notary or lawyer to learn about the rules that apply to the marriage.
No. But you can apply to sponsor that person to become a permanent resident in Canada. This sponsorship will last for three years from the date the person becomes a permanent resident, even if you later divorce. Afterwards this person can apply for Canadian citizenship.

For more information on applying for permanent resident status or citizenship, consult Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Important
These questions and answers are for general informational purposes only. If you have a specific problem, consult a legal professional.
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