Marriage outside Canada question

[cdngirl_usaguy]

My husband and I got married in the US in November. I am Canadian and he is American. We got an Arizona state Marriage License and everything was signed during the ceremony and mailed away to the county court. I returned to Canada after the wedding and proceeded to change my last name, using our marriage license for proof of marriage.

I just did my taxes at H&R Block, and the agent told me that the Canadian government won't recognize me as legally married until I mail the marriage license to the Canadian government. Is this true? Where do I send it??I'm just about ready to mail our app to CIC and I'm worried that if we're not "legally married" in Canada, that might screw things up. I'm guessing there are many here who have married outside Canada as well, hopefully someone has answers for me!

 

[awor]

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc65/README.html

They MAY request your certificate. They may not, but you do have to notify them (see link).

 

[AliCatShaw]

My husband and I got married in the US in November. I am Canadian and he is American. We got an Arizona state Marriage License and everything was signed during the ceremony and mailed away to the county court. I returned to Canada after the wedding and proceeded to change my last name, using our marriage license for proof of marriage.

I just did my taxes at H&R Block, and the agent told me that the Canadian government won't recognize me as legally married until I mail the marriage license to the Canadian government. Is this true? Where do I send it??I'm just about ready to mail our app to CIC and I'm worried that if we're not "legally married" in Canada, that might screw things up. I'm guessing there are many here who have married outside Canada as well, hopefully someone has answers for me!


Found this link.

 

[AliCatShaw]

Duhhhh....forgot to paste it, my bad! lol

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/marriage-abroad_mariages-etranger-eng.asp#2

 

[cantor2537]

We got married in California. It smooth sailing for us, no problems. My wife didn't change her name though

 

[Jamgirl]

This is my own experience...

I have children from a previous marriage and I receive government benefits for being a single mom. I was worried that my benefits would be reduced because of my marriage even though my spouse is not currently living in Canada with us. I went online trying to find information on how to report my foreign marriage. What I found is that I don't legally have to report my marriage to the Canadian government. I did not want to do commit fraud by not reporting and therefore collecting benefits when I shouldn't be so I called CHild Tax benefit myself and informed them of my marriage, that my husband hasn't immigrated as yet, and that I dont legally have to report the marriage... they were not concerned and said that I only have to report to them when my husband and I are living together, so not to worry until then... I continued with our application for immigration. I have changed my name on all ID's EXCEPT my passport. I included copies of our marriage license and my passport. I submitted my application to Mississauga on October 19, 2011 and was approved of sponsorship on December 22, 2011. I am still awaiting final approval for my spouse.

In my opinion, this will not affect any decisions on your file. It is Canadian law that you are NOT required to report the marriage. As long as you have your marriage certificate then you are legally married, name change does not affect this either.... thats my 2 cents

 

[kym]

Did You file your tax already?

Do they not ask if your married or single?

I have been delaying mine for the same reason.

 

[AliCatShaw]

Showed married

 

[Jamgirl]

ok so I just got word from somebody that has done this....

Yes you claim married. You will then be asked to fill out a form pertaining to his worldly income. For this you are claiming how much money he made in the previous years (you may have to fill out more than one for previous years). THis is so our government can try and tax his/her income, BUT, if they have never been to Canada or do not have PR status in Canada, as yet, then they cannot tax them and it will not affect your tax return.... they have no way of verifying their income so read between the lines on this one...

hope this helps...

 

[cdngirl_usaguy]

Thanks for all the replies! From what I`ve found out, Canada Revenue Agency is the only ones who needs to be informed of a marital status change. I`m not sure why the H&R Block lady didn`t know that... since she deals with the CRA daily =S