Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
In order to obtain your Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad, you must provide to the Canadian government a notarized declaration. Dotted Line Notary can help you draft and commission your notarized declaration or help you make certified copies of other documents to obtain your Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad.
What is a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad?
If you're thinking of getting married abroad, whether it be for a destination wedding or back home where your family / friends are at, some countries or jurisdictions may require a Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. This is a certificate that confirms there are no objections to a proposed marriage or civil partnership (i.e. if you are already married then you cannot marry again).
Unfortunately, the Canadian government (through Global Affairs Canada) does not issue certificates of non-impediment. Instead, they can help you prepare a statement in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad ("in lieu of" means "instead of".)
To request a statement in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad, you must provide to Global Affairs Canada, by mail, the following:
A completed authentication request form (with the appropriate section filled out);
A notarized declaration with your full name, present marital status, and permanent address in Canada (P.O. boxes not accepted); and
Certified copy of the following, depending on your situation(s):
if born in Canada - certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
if born abroad - certified copy of your Canadian citizenship certificate, PR card, or passport
if widowed - certified copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse
if divorced - certified copy of your divorce certificate
To download a copy of the authentication request form or for the address to mail your documents to request for a statement in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad, please click here.
We can help you prepare and notarize your declaration, as well as create certified true copies of the documents you need, in order to request a statement in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad.
What if I'm already abroad?
If you are already abroad, you may able able to obtain a statement in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad from your nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate. However, please note that some countries or jurisdictions may not accept this and require the statement to be issued in Canada.
For more information regarding statements in lieu of non-impediment to marriage abroad, please visit the Canadian government's web page on the document here.