greek couple to immigrate married or not

[erikd]

Hello everybody.
I need some help,if someone knows for sure...

Here is the case: I am born in Montreal,have both Canadian and Greek citizenships and my girlfriend is a Greek citizen.

We are thinking of getting married (civil marriage in Greece, in about a month).
I have already applied for the docs needed to renew my old Canadian passport,
but it takes loger than i expected,and we are thinking to leave Greece asap.

My question is,is this civil marriage recognised by the Canadian authorities,and if not,what do i have to do to be legaly married,so i can sponsor my wife?

Oh,here's one more question,by the way...
If i go to Canada with my new Greek passport,do i keep my legal rights as a Canadian citizen?
Remember,the only documents i have right now are Greek....I have never been back to Canada since 1975...

Thank you for your attention!

 

[Leon]

If you have been living together as a couple for more than 12 months and can prove it (official letters to the same address, joint bank account, insurance policy, utilities etc.), you would be seen as common law partners and you could sponsor her based on that without being married.

I would enter on a Greek passport but upon arriving at immigration show them proof of citizenship like expired passport or other proof that you have.

 

[erikd]

Thank you for your quick reply!
So,if we are already married,it ok as far as i understand.That's fine...

I also have an old canadian passport (expired since 1975....),so its ok to show it instead of a proof of my citizenship,am i correct?

Does anyone knows the procedure to get the new Canadian documents (ID,social security etc)?
because at the time of my arrival i'll be able to show only greek ID and other docs....except the passport i mentioned.

Thanks in advice...Have a nice day!

 

[Leon]

If you were born in Canada, your birth certificate is your proof of citizenship. Otherwise, you should have a citizenship certificate.

If you have a birth or a citizenship certificate, you should take that with the expired passport and your Greek passport to the passport office when you arrive in Canada and see if you can get a passport.

You would need a SIN (social insurance number) for tax purposes so if you don't have one or don't remember it, you should go to Service Canada also with your birth certificate and expired passport and ask for a new one.

You should register for health care. You will get it instantly on in 3 months depending on the province. You may need some ID and proof of citizenship for that as well as proof of living in the province like a utility bill or a bank statement. You can get a bank letter right away if you open an account and ask them for a letter and some people have done this in order to have something to prove their address instantly.

You may want a drivers license. I don't think any province has an exchange agreement with Greece so you would have to take the written exam and the road test in order to get one. Some provinces want you to provide an official letter proving your driving experience. Others may believe the issue date on your license. They should let you take the written exam and road test and at least get a probationary license. If you can prove 2 years driving experience, you should be able to get a full license.