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Same Sex
Weddings In Canada
More details on locations and packages still
to come
If you have a request please contact me for
more information
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Getting
Married in Canada |
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Canada has always been a country that
celebrates equality and embraces its diverse
population. This ideal was upheld once again
on June 28th, 2005 when the Federal
Government of Canada voted overwhelmingly to
legally recognize and celebrate same-sex
marriages in all Provinces and Territories,
making it the fourth country in the world to
do so, after the Netherlands, Belgium, and
Spain. South Africa has now joined, as the
fifth country to grant these rights. Canada is
unique in the sense that it is the only
country in the world where same-sex couples
can legally marry without having to be a
resident. This means that anyone, a Canadian
or a visitor, can get married within
Canada’s borders and will be recognized as a
married couple within these borders.
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Requirements |
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Gays and Lesbians can get married in Canada
from other parts of the world. There is no
residency requirement to get married in
Canada. This article is meant to provide you
with basic information about getting married
in Canada. Be sure to check in with local
officials when you choose your wedding
destination.
Also, different
provinces have different rules and
regulations regarding marriage.
Check out the resources at the end
of the article for more specific
information
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Up to Two
Weeks
Here's How:
1. What You Need:
- A willing partner
- Birth Certificate or
Passport
- Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce or spouse's
death if applicable
- Social Security Numbers
- Written parental consent if
under 18
- Canadian money for any fees
- Two Witnesses
2.
Apply for a license. In the
following provinces both of
you need to apply for the marriage
license: Alberta, Manitoba, New
Brunswick, Northwest Territory,
Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward
Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and
Yukon. In the following provinces
either party can apply for the
marriage license: British Columbia,
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and
Labrador.
3.
Locate your documents. Each
locality has different paperwork
requirements, but in general you
will need: proof of age, photo id,
and birth certificates. If one of
you has been previously married you
must show proof of death or divorce.
You must have the original divorce
decree when you apply for the
marriage licence. A copy is not
accepted.
4. Wait.
Quebec has a 20 day waiting period
between the time you apply for a
license and when you can get
married. Alberta, British Columbia,
New Brunswick, Northwest Territory,
Nunavut, Ontario and Prince Edward
Island have no waiting period.
Others vary from 24 hours to five
days. Check with the local
municipality.
5. Pay.
Marriage license fees vary from
place to place. You also may need to
pay the officiant and for a marriage
certificate.
6. Decide
who will perform the ceremony.
You can get married in Canada with
either a civil or religious
ceremony. Again, different regions
have different rules about who can
perform civil ceremonies. Most
communities have marriage
commissioners, judges or justices of
the peace to perform your wedding.
Religious clergy who are
registered to perform marriages in
Canada can marry you in a religious
ceremony.
7.
Step to the Aisle and say "I do!"
8.
What if you want to divorce?
Although Canada has no residency
requirement for marriage, it does
have one for divorce. At least one
partner must reside in Canada for
one year to be eligible for divorce.
American courts, who do not
recognize the marriage, are not
likely to grant you a divorce.
Tips:
- You cannot marry a same-sex
partner in Canada if you are
already married.
- You cannot get married in
Canada if you have a civil union
in Vermont or Connecticut.
- Even if you marry in Canada,
the United States government is
not required to recognize your
marriage. The Federal
Defense of Marriage Act
defines marriage as solely
between a man and a woman. Many
states have passed similar
legislation.
- Getting married in Canada
will not allow you to sponsor
your spouse for U.S.
citizenship.
- After getting married,
consult legal advice before
filing your taxes.
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Getting
Married in Alberta |
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Marriage Requirements:
A Marriage License shows that you meet the
requirements to get married in Alberta and gives you the
legal right to get married any time within three months from
the date the license was issued. To get a marriage license
in Alberta, you must meet the following requirements:
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You must be at
least 18 years old. If you are younger than 18,
you will need legal consent from your parents.
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You must show
acceptable identification such as a birth
certificate, passport, treaty status card,
Canadian citizenship card or driver's license.
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You cannot be
related to the person you wish to marry by whole
blood, half blood or adoption. For example, you
may not marry your grandparent, parent,
grandchild, child or sibling.
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You must be
currently unmarried.
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If you are
divorced, you must present proof the divorce is
final such as a Certificate of Divorce or a
Decree Absolute.
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You must have
your wedding in Alberta, however you do not have
to be an Alberta resident to get married in
Alberta.
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You must be free
of the influence of drugs and alcohol when you
apply for a Marriage License (and when you
participate in the wedding ceremony).
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Both parties to
the marriage must apply together for their
marriage license.
Additional requirements for special
circumstances:
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Both parties
to the marriage must speak English. If they
do not, it is their responsibility to
provide an interpreter who is over 18 years
old and is fluent in both English and the
language requiring translation. If the
registry agent issuing the Marriage License
is fluent in the other language, then that
registry agent may proceed as the
interpreter for issuing the Marriage
License. The couple applying for a license
cannot translate for each other.
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If either
party is deaf, a sign language interpreter
may be required.
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If either
party is mentally challenged and a trustee
or guardian has been appointed, proof that
their trustee or guardian has been informed
of the upcoming marriage is required.
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Blood tests
are not required.
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Getting
Married in BC |
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Marriage Requirements:
To get married in British
Columbia, the Marriage Act requires that the couple get a
Marriage Licence. You may get married during the three-month
term of the licence.
Only one member of the couple needs to apply for a
marriage licence.
Click
here for the marriage licence application and
fee.
Find
here locations of Marriage Licence Issuers. Please bring
the following identification for both individuals who plan
to marry.
- Full name, including given names
- Birth date and birth place
- Marital status
- Current address
- The marriage license is issued at the time of
application. The marriage license is non-refundable,
valid for three months and may not be extended.
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Getting
Married in Manitoba |
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Marriage Requirements:
Both parties must appear in
person at the local license issuer to apply for the license
and provide the following:
*proof of age (birth
certificate or passport)
*proof of divorce and death certificate |
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Getting
Married in Ontario |
Marriage Requirements:
Both parties must fill out the
application and either can appear at any city hall or town
hall , but must provide the following documents for both
parties:
*Birth certificate or passport
*Written parental consent if under 18
*proof of divorce if divorced in Canada
*authorization from Minister of Consumer & Commercial
Relations if divorced outside of Canada
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Getting
Married in Quebec |
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Marriage Requirements:Both parties must fill out the
license application and appear together at an interview with
the "Service des Marriages Civils" at the local courthouse
along with one witness, and provide the following:
*birth certificate, or sworn statement, passport and
ID photo
*written parental consent if under 18
*certified proof of divorce or dissolution of civil
union
*proof of death of previous spouse (death certificate)
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In Quebec, there’s a 20 day period
before any marriage can be solemnized, so make
sure you check out these two sites: Government
of Quebec and Justice Quebec
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Marriage License Offices |
Wedding Coordinators
Montreal |
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Getting
Married in Saskatchewan |
Marriage Requirements:
Both parties must appear in
person (or one party needs to complete the "Non-Attendance
Before Issuer Of Marriage Licenses" form) before the local
issuer of marriage licenses and provide the following:
*Birth certificate
*written parental consent if under 18
*Proof of divorce and death certificate |
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Getting
Married in Maritimes |
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Marriage Requirements: |
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For a gay time at Disney...
Queen's of the Kingdom guide book.>>>
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They wished upon a star:
Same-sex couples who want to exchange vows in front of Cinderella's Castle
now have the chance.
The Walt Disney Co. had limited its Fairy Tale Wedding
program to couples with valid marriage licenses, but it is
now making ceremonies at its parks available to gay couples
as well.
The service offers flowers, dining, music and many optional
Disney touches, from ceremonies in front of the parks'
iconic attractions to having Mickey and Minnie Mouse in
formal wear as guests. The packages start at $8,000 and can
cost more than $45,000. |
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Niagara Falls, Ontario
The Wedding Company of Niagara
Stunning Niagara Falls is known as the
Honeymoon Capital of the World. Exchange
or Renew your vows & expressing your
love for each other with a romantic
getaway by the roaring Niagara Falls.
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Ice Hotel Weddings in Quebec
Imagine exchanging your vows in a
romantic fairy-tale setting that brings
together the purity of ice & the
whiteness of snow. This unique
structure, with walls covered in
original artwork & furniture made of
ice, will amaze you. Our enchanting ICE
chapel will surpass your wildest
expectations!
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Tropical Rainbow Union
Gay Union Ceremony in Tahiti
A beautiful and romantic ceremony celebrating the love and
commitment between two men or two women.
The couple will be picked up at their hotel by car or mini
bus and will be brought to the Polynesian restaurant where
champagne and sumptuous lunch with be offered to them.
At 4:30 PM they will embark on an outrigger canoe and be
escorted by musicians and the Tahitian villagers to a nearby
Motu (Tahitian small island).
There the couple will be dressed in Tahitian sarongs and
flower crowns and necklaces.
The priest will invite them to purify themselves in the
turquoise waters of the lagoon.
The ceremony will begin with some religious Tahitian songs.
The couple, will then vow to love and protect one another.
The priest will purify their hands with some sea water from
a sacred shell and they will be enveloped in a long flower
lei.
The ceremony takes place at dusk and soon after, accompanied
by Tahitian musician and singers, the couple will be taken
on a sunset cruise on the outrigger canoe.
They will be escorted to a beautiful floating house for a
delicious Maitai (Tahitian cocktail) and left to admire the
last rays of the sun setting over the lagoon.
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