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" Island Jewel" |
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What is the Canadian Government's position?
Hong Kong's first gay couple to get married...
flew to Canada to be one of the first to be married under the new law.
Same-Sex Marriage FAQ |
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Q. What do I need to do in addition to booking a wedding onboard?
A. We do all the work for you. The price of $1299.00* Cdn is for the cost of the marriage commissioners, marriage licence, yacht rental, two adults to witness the marriage, food and 3 1/2 hours on board for 2 to 10 pple. Each additional person the cost is $49.99 p.p.*
Q. What countries currently allow same-sex marriage?
A. The Netherlands, Belgium, and now Canada.
Q. Can anyone get married in these countries?
A. Only
in Canada where there is no residency requirement.
There is a long residency requirement in the Netherlands. Belgium's law
requires that the country where a couple has citizenship has to allow
same-sex unions.
Q. Will these marriages be recognized in the United States?
A. For now, some legal experts are saying yes. They will be legally binding unions. Other experts are saying not necessarily, since states aren't obligated to validate marriages from another locale.
Q. How does Canada now define marriage?
A. The new national policy approved
by the Canadian Cabinet on June 17, 2003, views marriage as a way to publicly
recognize a committed relationship between two adults.
Q. Where to Get Marriage License?
A.From any Marriage Licence Issuer (MLI).
Q. What is the ID Requirement?
A. Proof of identification such as a Driver License, passport, or birth certificate. You also need to know the full names (maiden name) and birthplaces of your parents.
Q What is the Residency Requirement?
A. Do not have to be a resident of British Columbia.
Q. Is there a waiting Period?
A. None.
Q. What if I was Previously Married?
A. Proof of the divorce or annulment in the form of the Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute must be provided.
Q. How which are the Fees/ Costs?
A. In our package the fees are included and we arrange the Marriage Commissioners. If you do not want us to include the Marriage Commissioners Rates may vary between $75.00-$100.00 Canadian Dollars
Q. Do I have to be tested?
A. No other tests necessary
Q. How old must you be?
A: Applicants under 19 years of age but over 16 need to have parental or court consent. Anyone under the age of 16 must have the consent of either the Supreme or County Court.
Q. Do I need a Witnesses?
A. Yes, we will witness the marriage or you may have someone you want to witness the marriage, however they must be two over the age of 18.
Q. Can I get a license and get married later?
A. Yes, the license is valid for 90 days.
Q.
Will churches be required to perform same-sex weddings?
A. No. The law will apply to civil weddings only.
It is
assumed that there will soon be litigation in U.S. courts to legally define
the status of these unions.
Neal Katyal, of Georgetown University Law School, in an interview with Aaron Brown on CNN NewsNight stated, "No, it does not and the reason is that that general recognition principle of marriages has always had an important exception, the public policy exception, so that if a marriage violated the public policy of the American government or the state, then it wouldn't necessarily be valid...many times states have said we're not bound, we're not obligated to give credit to your marriage if it violates our own notion of public policy."
Words of Wisdom
With so many marriages throughout the world ending in divorce, many couples wonder what it takes to get married today and to make it last. Some even wonder why they should bother getting married.
Bottom line, if you are questioning why you should get married, don't do it.
If you are a minor, you will find many legal hoops to jump through. The laws are written this way because statistically, most teenagers who marry end up divorced.
If you have decided that marriage is for the two of you, then check out your locale's requirements. Some still require blood tests, waiting periods, cash only for fees, and more. Some states are requiring some pre-marital education, which we high recommend even if it isn't a formal requirement by your community or church
Oh yes there is one more thing...
(604) 681-CRUZ (2789)