Interim Policy on Civil Marriages between Same-Sex Persons
For immigration purposes only, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has adopted an interim policy to recognize the validity of civil marriages that took place in either Ontario, British Columbia or Québec between a foreign national and his/her Canadian citizen or permanent resident same-sex partner. Therefore, marriage certificates issued by provincial authorities in Ontario (since 10 June 2003), British Columbia (since 8 July 2003), or Québec (since 19 March 2004) are considered legally valid documents in support of an immigration application.
This interim policy reflects Canada's tradition of supporting family reunification of both recent immigrants and long-established Canadians with their close family members from abroad.
The issue of marriage and the legal recognition of same-sex unions has been referred to the Supreme Court of Canada and the Government of Canada has indicated that the associated draft Bill will not be considered by Parliament before the decision of the Supreme Court. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will revisit its interim policy, as required, after the ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada on the marriage reference.
Meanwhile, in accordance with existing policies and programs, same-sex partners who marry in foreign jurisdictions, or two foreign nationals who marry in Canada, may qualify as common-law or conjugal partners, as applicable.
For more information, you may call the Citizenship and Immigration Call Centre from anywhere in Canada.
