If you`re getting married in another country, you should do your research to make sure you`re ready with everything you need to easily (and legally!) marry your future spouse. For U.S. citizens, getting married abroad isn`t as easy as showing up at the chapel. Each country has its own rules for paperwork, residency requirements, and medical testing. Some places recognize same-sex marriage, others don`t. If you are planning a wedding abroad, it is advisable to consult with the local U.S. consulate. Consular officials may not celebrate your marriage, but they can tell you what to expect.3 So the question is whether this is the case in the United States. Or, in other words, if you get married in another country, is that marriage legally recognized in the United States? Officials at the nearest Canadian government office abroad can provide you with a list of local lawyers, shelters and social services (if any) that can help. We can provide services if you need help returning to Canada, if you are concerned about fair treatment under the laws of a country, or if you need help in a foreign country.
Need travel insurance for Jamaica? Yes. The State Department strongly recommends insurance, because in Jamaica, “public health facilities do not meet U.S. standards. Private institutions require high advance payments, even in emergencies. 9 Medical evacuations can also be extremely expensive, so consider protecting your honeymoon in Jamaica with OneTrip Prime – our most popular vacation plan. Check out the best travel insurance plans for weddings and honeymoons. Be careful when going abroad to meet a spouse, especially if the relationship started online. A potential partner may consider marrying a Canadian citizen as a ticket for an immigrant visa. Many Canadians have quit their jobs, abandoned their homes and sold all their assets in anticipation of a foreign union that immediately fails or never joins. The documents you need to get married outside of Canada depend on your situation and the country where you want to get married. Before travelling, please contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country where you wish to marry to determine what documents you need. You may need to have the documents translated into the language of the country where the wedding will take place.
You may also need to legalize the documents in Canada and/or have them stamped by a consular officer in the country where you are going to get married. Authentication proves that the signature and seal on the document are genuine. The age of majority for marriage varies from country to country. As a general rule, persons under the age of 18 must submit a written declaration of consent from their parents to a notary. Some countries require parental consent to be certified by a consular officer of that foreign country in the United States. Unfortunately, we cannot obtain marriage documents on your behalf. However, we are happy to assist you in preparing documentation (Affidavit of Marriage Eligibility (Affidavit of Individual Status), Preliminary Translation, U.S. Department of State Apostille/Legalization and Consular Legalization Services in Washington, DC. Please contact us or get a quote if you know what documents you need. If you have any questions or concerns about marrying in another country, contact your embassy or tourist office in the country.
In general, they have more information about what exactly you need to say your “I want” in this country – and how to make sure those “I want” are legal. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, they are not recognized in many countries. Civil partnerships between persons of the same sex are more widely recognized. For country-specific information, read our travel advice, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the destination country in Canada, or visit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and bisexual Canadians abroad. If you are planning a wedding with guests, you should also look for all the travel information that wedding attendees need for the trip. This may include local accommodation, popular activities in the area, and any medical tests or vaccinations your guests may need before travelling.