Published on 1 February 2026

Canada: Family, marriage and partnerships

The FDFA provides relevant information on family matters, marriage and partnerships to people planning to emigrate to Canada.

Joining your family

Persons wishing to be reunited with close family members in Canada may apply under the Family Class. Close family members, including spouses, partners and grandparents, may sponsor their relatives by applying to a Canada Immigration Centre.

The objective of the Family Class programme is to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives. By undertaking to support sponsored members of the family class, the sponsor promises that, for a specified duration, they will provide for the basic needs of their family members so they do not have to rely on social assistance.

Family members may also be reunited with their relatives by obtaining an open work permit.

Registering marriages and partnerships

Marriages contracted abroad under civil law are recognised in Switzerland and must be registered with the Swiss civil status authorities. Swiss nationals who get married abroad are required to register their marriage with the competent Swiss representation abroad. The documents must be submitted to the diplomatic representation together with an apostille. The latter will forward the declaration to Switzerland free of charge.

Find out what you need to do as early as possible

Before you get married, contact your Swiss representation to find out what you will need to do to make sure your marriage is recognised and registered in the civil status register without delay.

Partnerships

Since 2005, Canada has allowed same-sex couples from anywhere in the world to legally marry, whether they are resident or non-resident.

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