1. What forms do I need complete for my situation?

Refer to the sections Family Class Applications, Skilled Worker Class and Humanitarian & Compassionate Requests to determine in which category you should apply. Click on all the links in that section to bring up the required forms.

2. What areas in Canada can legally perform same sex marriages that are recognized for immigration purposes in my Family Class application?

As of July 14, 2004, the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the northern territory of Yukon perform legal Canadian recognized marriages. Applicants are provided with a Marriage Licence prior to the wedding and will be provided a Marriage Certificate by the Registrar General of the province or territory. This may take many months to receive once an application is made but accelerated applications, for a user fee, can be made to otain in days or weeks.
A Record of Marriage document is not recognized as being a legal document.

3. What is meant when the application forms say they want photos of every member of the family?

When they say family, they do not mean extended family. They mean nuclear family – two spouses or common-law partners and their dependent children, whether coming to Canada or not. It includes dependent children in the custody of a previous partner. It does not include independent children. So no brothers, sisters, parents, grand-parents, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.

4. What documents have to be translated?

All documents requested by the government that are not in English or French must be officially translated (paid for) into English or French – the translator certifies the translation as part of the job. Items that are provided to prove a relationship may be unofficially translated by you or your partner.

5. How do I get fingerprints and a Police Report from Canada where I have lived for more than 6 months?

Check local Yellow Pages for Commissionaires of Oaths. Send fingerprints to RCMP (address on upper left corner of form). Do ASAP as RCMP takes 6-8 months to respond. Tell fingerprinter they are “for immigration purposes and the results are to be sent to the Immigration section of the Canadian Embassy in the country where your application will be processed.