Many countries ask for a "certificate of non-impediment to marriage" before registering a foreign marriage - a document confirming the applicant has no legal bar to marrying (no current spouse, no restriction). Canada does not issue one.

Canada manages civil status provincially. There is no central national marriage registry. The federal government has no mechanism to certify someone's marital status the way other countries' foreign affairs ministries do.

Global Affairs Canada issues a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. This document states that Canada does not produce certificates of non-impediment. It does not confirm your personal marital status.

To request it, complete Section 3 of form EXT2165 and submit with:

• A notarized statutory declaration of your current marital status
• Certified copies of supporting ID (birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card)
• If divorced: a certified copy of the divorce certificate
• If widowed: a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse

The statement in lieu is issued and signed by the Authentication Services Section. It already carries a GAC signature and does not itself need a further apostille.

• GAC may refuse to issue the statement if it has information indicating the destination country does not actually require one
• Some countries only accept a statement in lieu issued by a Canadian mission abroad - from the Canadian embassy or consulate in the destination country - not from Ottawa. This is particularly relevant if you are already overseas.
• Processing follows the standard GAC queue.

The statement is generic. It does not confirm your specific situation. Most foreign registries require personal proof paired with the statement. The strongest package combines:

• Statement in lieu (from GAC)
• Notarized single-status statutory declaration (sworn statement before a Canadian notary that you are single/divorced/widowed) - apostilled
• Marriage search record or single-status letter from your provincial Vital Statistics office - apostilled
• Apostilled long-form birth certificate
• If previously married: apostilled divorce certificate or apostilled death certificate of the deceased spouse

Where the destination country's official language is not English or French, each document above will need certified translation. Confirm the translation certification standard with the specific consulate or registry before ordering translations.