Planning a destination wedding is exciting, but the legal paperwork can be overwhelming. Specifically, most foreign governments require proof that you are legally free to marry before they will issue a marriage license.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will likely be asked for a “Certificate of Non-Impediment”.
Here is the problem: The Government of Canada does not issue this certificate. Instead, you must obtain a substitute document called a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad (Official Govt Info).
At Notary Lawyer Scarborough, we draft the required Statutory Declaration and provide the Notarization Services necessary to satisfy foreign authorities.
Services start at just $30.
To get the official “Statement in Lieu” from the government, you must first provide them with a notarized [Statutory Declaration] of Single Status.
This is where we come in. We draft and notarize this document for you in our office. It must include:
Your full legal name and permanent address in Canada.
Your current marital status (Single, Divorced, or Widowed).
A sworn statement that there are no legal impediments to your marriage.
Warning: Do not try to write this yourself on a napkin. Global Affairs Canada is very strict about the wording. As ODS-registered lawyers, we ensure your declaration meets their exact requirements.
Once we have notarized your Single Status Declaration, it is not yet ready for travel. It usually needs to be “authenticated” or “apostilled” to be valid in another country.
Hague Countries (e.g., Mexico, Philippines, Italy): You now only need a one-step Apostille.
Non-Hague Countries (e.g., China, UAE): You need the traditional 2-step legalization process involving the foreign consulate.
Confused? Don’t worry. We handle the entire Authentication & Legalization process for you. We can even courier your documents to Global Affairs Canada on your behalf.
To ensure we can draft your documents quickly, please bring:
Canadian Passport or Citizenship Card.
If you were previously married, you must bring the original Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute.
If you are widowed, proof of your former spouse's passing is required
Their full legal name and address (exactly as it appears on their passport).
It depends.
For the Affidavit: Yes. We can commission your Statutory Declaration of Single Status via our Online Documents Certification service.
For the Government Submission: If you need us to send the document to Global Affairs for you, we will need the physical original. In this case, visiting our office or using our Mobile Notary service is best.
It is an official document issued by Global Affairs Canada that confirms Canada does not issue Certificates of Non-Impediment. It essentially tells the foreign government: "Please accept this person's sworn Single Status Declaration instead."
Not always. Some countries (like the USA) may not require it. However, countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia almost always do. We strongly recommend checking with the consulate of the country where you plan to marry.
Drafting and notarizing the declaration in our office takes about 15 minutes. However, if you need the government to issue the "Statement in Lieu," their processing time can take weeks. Therefore, please plan this at least 2-3 months before your wedding.
Yes. If your destination country requires the documents in Spanish, French, or another language, we can arrange for certified translation after the notarization is complete.
