Ontario Divorce Certificate

[thegordons2009 1]

Hello everyone,

Just got an email from NVC asking me to submit Divorce certificate and 2 passport photos. I have a divorce order and a divorce certificate, but I'm am second guessing if the divorce certificate I have is the kind they are looking for, as I had previously submitted it.

My certificate is just a white paper with black writing, with the seal in the upper left corner, court file Number in the top right.

and below it lists ex husband name and address and below my name and address. Then it lists where we were married and the date and when it was dissolved. Signed and dated on the bottom.

Does this sound like a proper divorce certificate?

[sdw 10]

Mine says divorce certificate in the right hand corner. Looks like what you are describing.

[OBX 51]

Mine says "Certificate of Divorce" in the upper right corner. A few lines below that is the "Court File No". It then lists both of our names, date we were married and date of dissolution of the marriage. It was signed and dated the day I obtained the certificate from the court house and has an official red seal.

[Wis-Can 0]

Mine also says Certificate of Divorce and it has the raised seal on it. I sent a copy but had the original with me in case they wanted to see it.

[Downtoride 0]

Did you send in just a photo copy? Normally the NVC wants to see the original certificates same as Birth certificates... so if you can get another "original with stamp" if you c and not a copy and send it in that should work. you will get all originals back during the interview.. but i would try to obtain another certified certificate just in case they lose it or they want to see it again for some reason during the interview also... just to be double prepared. have seen weirder things happen.

[trailmix 77]

Here is the description given on travel.state.gov: link

Divorce and Child Custody Records

Canadian divorce records are maintained by provincial and territorial courts. Primary evidence of divorce is the original or court-certified copy of the final divorce decree from the court where the divorce took place. Some provinces also issue a "Certificate of Divorce" similar to a large or full-size marriage certificate (a computer-printed extract of information on currency style stock paper, 21.6 x 17.8cm or 7 x 8.25 in., with an intaglio border). The Certificate of Divorce is also acceptable evidence of divorce, though it has no information about child custody.

To obtain a court-certified copy of a divorce decree or a Certificate of Divorce, applicants should contact the clerk or registrar of the court where the divorce was granted. Applicants unsure of the court in which their divorce proceedings took place may write to the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings, P.O. Box 2730, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5W7. The Central Registry cannot issue a divorce certificate, but will be able to confirm at which registry the divorce was granted. Additional information is available online.

[JlovesA 109]

This is probably a good place to ask my question...did any of you have to submit your old marriage certificate along with the divorce certificate? I have seen different answers. I don't understand why NVC/UCSIS/whomever would need your old marriage certificate if you have a divorce certificate instead.

[trailmix 77]

That same question was asked last week, apparently you do need it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=240316

Edited February 13, 2010 by trailmix

[JlovesA 109]

It just doesn't make sense to me because you have to give the courts your marriage certificate in order for them to process your divorce. Of course you can get another one, it just doesn't really make sense to me.

[LiLMermaid 2]

This is probably a good place to ask my question...did any of you have to submit your old marriage certificate along with the divorce certificate? I have seen different answers. I don't understand why NVC/UCSIS/whomever would need your old marriage certificate if you have a divorce certificate instead.

You need it because it shows your name change.

[JlovesA 109]

You need it because it shows your name change.

From what to what? Doesn't the divorce certificate prove I was married to someone with my last name? I still don't entirely understand the point.

[trailmix 77]

From what to what? Doesn't the divorce certificate prove I was married to someone with my last name? I still don't entirely understand the point.

It never occured to me that it was because of the name change. Lots of people don't change their names - however sometimes they do have a blanket request - ie: whether you changed it or not - we will ask EVERYONE for it.

I can't really think of a good reason why they would ask for it - you should ask them during your interview, then we will all know!

[OBX 51]

I didn't have to provide mine. I did have it just in case but I was never asked for it.

[JlovesA 109]

I didn't have to provide mine. I did have it just in case but I was never asked for it.

Out of curiosity, why did you have your marriage certificate if you were divorced? I/we only ever had one and I had to give it to the courthouse to file for divorce. But after reading this forum, I ordered another one from the Ontario government website.

I can't really think of a good reason why they would ask for it - you should ask them during your interview, then we will all know!

I'd be afraid to ask in case it seemed suspicious. I just want to get in and out of there!

[trailmix 77]

You could ask after they say Welcome to the U.S.!

OBX it is for K visa applicants, not CR1/IR1 - that's why you were never asked

Edited February 15, 2010 by trailmix