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Parents Tourist Visa - No Marriage Certificate

gurneeraj

Full Member
Aug 16, 2016
46
3
Hi,

I am applying for my parents tourist visa under Visiting Family or Friends category but don't have their Marriage Certificate. What alternative I can use?

Do I need to send Common-In Law form aswell in Indian VACs?

Thanks in advance.
 

Bryanna

VIP Member
Sep 8, 2014
14,137
3,121
I am applying for my parents tourist visa under Visiting Family or Friends category
If your parents are applying for a TRV and you are their host.... the purpose would be 'Visiting Family'


but don't have their Marriage Certificate. What alternative I can use?
Your birth certificate which states their names as your parents or their passports (if the spouse names are included in the bio pages)


Do I need to send Common-In Law form aswell in Indian VACs?
If your parents are married then they are not in a common law relationship
 

Bryanna

VIP Member
Sep 8, 2014
14,137
3,121
For them to be qualified as married they need to have a marriage legally recognized in their home country and in Canada.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#m
Although it applies to temporary and immigrant visas, it is not mandatory to prove the marriage for a TRV.

In countries like India, marriages performed as religious ceremonies, were often not registered with the government marriage authorities in the last few decades. The rules have changed since then. But unavailability of a marriage certificate does not render the marriage as non-existent or as 'null and void'.

IRCC does accept birth certificates and copies of passports (indicating spouse names) as evidence of the marriage
 
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DavEd

Star Member
Mar 15, 2018
192
34
Although it applies to temporary and immigrant visas, it is not mandatory to prove the marriage for a TRV.

In countries like India, marriages performed as religious ceremonies, were often not registered with the government marriage authorities in the last few decades. The rules have changed since then. But unavailability of a marriage certificate does not render the marriage as non-existent or as 'null and void'.

IRCC does accept birth certificates and copies of passports (indicating spouse names) as evidence of the marriage
Totally agreed.. was just pointing out what they legally say, although there are exceptions. I come from an African country where traditional marriages are not always recognized or registered but losts of people have been able to use the birth certificates to show a spousal relationship
 

Bryanna

VIP Member
Sep 8, 2014
14,137
3,121
Totally agreed.. was just pointing out what they legally say, although there are exceptions. I come from an African country where traditional marriages are not always recognized or registered but losts of people have been able to use the birth certificates to show a spousal relationship
IRCC would be critical of the marriage certificate (or the lack of it) if the applicant is applying for immigration. For TRVs, we've seen that other documents have been accepted if the marriage certificate is not available.... even an affidavit (although I don't agree with this alternative)
 
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gurneeraj

Full Member
Aug 16, 2016
46
3
Thanks A lot, I uploaded mine and my sister's pp. I dont even have my birth certificate.

My parents are going on tourist visa. They already have US B2 visa, I think that would help.
 

Shareen Heera

Newbie
Aug 2, 2019
3
0
Hi,

I am applying for my parents tourist visa under Visiting Family or Friends category but don't have their Marriage Certificate. What alternative I can use?
 

binga777

Star Member
Jun 18, 2015
160
18
Thanks A lot, I uploaded mine and my sister's pp. I dont even have my birth certificate.

My parents are going on tourist visa. They already have US B2 visa, I think that would help.
Hey ,

I am in similar situation did it work??

Thanks!
 

@trigger

Hero Member
Jun 24, 2019
245
47
As suggested by others, Passport could be an option (if spouse name is mentioned on each other's passport)
 

Nvnsuri

Star Member
Nov 3, 2016
158
20
Ontario
Category........
CEC
Hi,

I am applying for my parents tourist visa under Visiting Family or Friends category but don't have their Marriage Certificate. What alternative I can use?

Do I need to send Common-In Law form aswell in Indian VACs?

Thanks in advance.
Hey did parents got approved for trv ???
 

hydrakanth

Star Member
Aug 17, 2020
115
27
Your parents can get a notarized marriage affidavit with photos stating that they were married on x date under y law (applicable act/law at that time) and have been living as a couple since x date (usually marriage date). That they are giving this declaration in lieu of marriage certificate etc.
 
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Anjy

Full Member
Feb 24, 2018
32
4
Your parents can get a notarized marriage affidavit with photos stating that they were married on x date under y law (applicable act/law at that time) and have been living as a couple since x date (usually marriage date). That they are giving this declaration in lieu of marriage certificate etc.

Hi @hydrakanth, That's a great advice. I really appreciate it. I'm also in the process of applying for parents visa where marriage certificate is one of the docs needed. I'm going to get notarized Affidavit In Lieu Of Marriage Certificate. It would be great if you can share a format for this affidavit. Like, what should be the title of it, the content, the closing statement and signature etc. Thanks in advance.
 

hydrakanth

Star Member
Aug 17, 2020
115
27
If you are from India, you can try this format on a non judicial stamp paper:

Marriage Affidavit (Annexure D)

We, 1. Full Legal Name of Husband, 2. Full Legal Name of Wife

R/O (Full house address with postal code) in the state of (Name of Indian State/UT), India, do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as follows:

1. That we were married under (Hindu/Muslim/Christian) Marriage/Act/Rights/customs and are living together as married couple since (Date of Marriage).

2. That we are giving this declaration in lieu of our marriage certificate.

That our joint photographs are affixed.

Sworn and signed before me.
Place: City of Residence.

1. Signature of Husband
2. Signature of Wife.

Get it attested and notarized by a Govt. Notary in your city.
 
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