Start to finish?

[SeekingAnswers2013]

My fiancé and I will have been together 6+ years when it's possible for me and my child to go there. I've read many things and unfortunately most are contradictory. So I thought I'd ask here. Also, if it helps you provide information he's in Alberta.

Are we able to get married in Canada prior to starting the process? If so what does that require?

What will we need for the sponsorship and what exactly is the process from start to finish?


Thank you in advance.

 

[zardoz]

If he is a Canadian citizen or PR, he should normally be able to sponsor you both.
Getting married is not a problem, especially as you seem to have already had a long relationship.

All the information you need to get started can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/index.asp
When you and he have studied the information, come back here for any clarification.

 

[SeekingAnswers2013]

Thank you, so we can marry there even without me having status in Canada? I didn't see anything on that on the site. I could just be missing it though.

If so do you know what documents we'd need to get the licence?

 

[truesmile]

I'm not sure what assumptions were made on the original "reply", BUT you most certainly would have to be allowed into Canada (legally) in order to do so (get married in Canada). Showing up at the border to say "I'm here to get married" won't get you into Canada. Are you from a visa-exempt country by any chance?

 

[zardoz]

The assumption was that she would be legally in Canada. There was no initial information about having no status.
Some countries require you to apply for a specific fiance or marriage visa to be able to legally marry.
Canada doesn't, as far as I am aware, so you can marry with a visitor or tourist status.
The other aspect was, will this appear to be a "Marriage of convenience"? Hence my comment about length of relationship.

My apologies if there was any confusion.

 

[SeekingAnswers2013]

I'm not sure what assumptions were made on the original "reply", BUT you most certainly would have to be allowed into Canada (legally) in order to do so (get married in Canada). Showing up at the border to say "I'm here to get married" won't get you into Canada. Are you from a visa-exempt country by any chance?

I'm from the United States.

 

[SeekingAnswers2013]

The assumption was that she would be legally in Canada. There was no initial information about having no status.
Some countries require you to apply for a specific fiance or marriage visa to be able to legally marry.
Canada doesn't, as far as I am aware, so you can marry with a visitor or tourist status.
The other aspect was, will this appear to be a "Marriage of convenience"? Hence my comment about length of relationship.

My apologies if there was any confusion.

It's okay and I certainly won't be there illegally. I'd likely be staying a month or two before returning to work in the US until we filed for sponsorship.

 

[marsiangal]

Hi Seeking,

Here is the website from Service Alberta on what you need to get a marriage license from any registry, As far as I have read there is no restriction on what your status needs to be to get married, probably as long as you are legally here. Which obviously you are.

http://www.servicealberta.ca/781.cfm

Goodluck! Congrats!

 

[SeekingAnswers2013]

That was the exact information I needed on the marriage part, thank you so much!