marriage certificate coming too late to include in apps!

[Answerseeker]

Hello,

Could someone please offer me some advice concerning my Visa situation? If anyone could offer further insights, it would be greatly appreciated.

-My girlfriend is Japanese and came to Toronto on June 29th, 2010 on a one-year working holiday visa.

-we are getting married on April 9th, 2011

-we then intend to apply outland for a PR visa

- We will file our PR visa to the Mississauga office. We also believe we should file for a change of visa status, from working holiday to 6 month visitor visa, to the Alberta office. That way, she will be granted the visitor visa and then she can stay in Canada while the PR is being processed (this may require renewing the visitor visa).

-the problem is that both the application to change visa status and the PR application require a ‘Certificate of Marriage'. We have been told that it takes 3 months to receive this document. So, we will only receive it in July---after her current visa expires on June 29th, 2011 (and much later than the stated deadline of 30 days to receive an application prior to existing visa expiry).

-I have thought that I could (i) send in the visa extension app now therefore not need the marriage certificate as we are not married. If I do this should I mention we are planning to get married, or is that a bad idea? (ii) ask the marriage certificate office for a rush job, but not sure how likely that is.

Could anyone advise how I should move forward with this? Thank you so much. 

[d-tilley592]

Which province are you getting married in?

I got married in Ontario and was advised that the Marriage Certificate would take 12 weeks (10 weeks to register and two weeks to mail it out).  But I stuck the application in for the certificate the very next day and was told the certificate would be sent out as soon as my marriage was registered.  Low and behold my certificate turned up after 3 weeks.

[_696_]

IMHO You guys should apply via mail for an extension as VISITOR, since AFAIk that doesn't require the certificate and would grant you some more time as implied. You can also and IMHO should use this delay with the certificates as the main reason to remain in Canada. Of course you will also have to satisfy them that she will leave Canada after, have enough funds etc etc. But I so not see why they should say no to the extension going this way as its perfectly legit to remain in Canada to get your app filled and sent in.

[mittens]

hmmpfhhh
we're in a similar position, got married feb 2011 and applied online for certificates
however the registrar generals office are saying we need to send faxed proof,ie a letter from immigration stating that they need to see our marriage certificate urgently before they will process it faster!!!

lalala lalala lalala LA

[sasmak]

Hi,

I got married in Ontario and was told the same, My lawyer sent the application in with a covering letter and the photocopy of the marriage letter they give which says the name of the person whom married you, your name etc. Thats the portion you get to keep its like a mini certificate. I would say send in a copy of that and explain you will forward the actual certificate once received from the authorities. This should be enough. Also you will be sending photo evidence of your neptuals so they can see you were married

[Baloo]

FWIW In Ontario you can order a marriage certificate online.

http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/121591

[niagradreamin]

FWIW In Ontario you can order a marriage certificate online.

http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/121591

Is this service for me too which is living in Canada and my wife lives in iran

[Baloo]

Is this service for me too which is living in Canada and my wife lives in iran

If you got married in Ontario, I guess so.

Did you check the website?

[Answerseeker]

Thanks for the help everyone. I live in Ontario and will try to prevail on the staff to put a rush on registering my marriage and then I'll apply on line for the certificate. If that doesn't work, I'll include wedding pictures and copy of the Record of Solemnization in th PR app and mention I'll send it in once I get it. Let's hope this works! Thanks again.

[rjessome]

Thanks for the help everyone. I live in Ontario and will try to prevail on the staff to put a rush on registering my marriage and then I'll apply on line for the certificate. If that doesn't work, I'll include wedding pictures and copy of the Record of Solemnization in th PR app and mention I'll send it in once I get it. Let's hope this works! Thanks again.

For the PR application, WAIT for the marriage certificate.  For the change of conditions from WHV to Visitor, use the Record of Solemnization.

[pegasusyt]

rjessome, are you saying to not send the solemnization or marriage and wait until you have the certificate? I always thought it would be base, if you have to send out the app, to include the solemnization and clarify you will forward the certificate once you get it?

[rjessome]

rjessome, are you saying to not send the solemnization or marriage and wait until you have the certificate? I always thought it would be base, if you have to send out the app, to include the solemnization and clarify you will forward the certificate once you get it?

I'm saying to wait to send the sponsorship and PR application until the OP gets the marriage certificate.  There's potential for it to be sent back as incomplete.  However, for the change of conditions application sent to Vegreville, they make accept with the solemnization if you explain in the cover letter.  Different standards for different types of applications.