First of all, I sincerely congratulate you on embarking on a new chapter in your life!
As you and your loved one are sweetly preparing for your wedding, a seemingly simple yet crucial legal document is quietly becoming a hurdle you must overcome—proving the Chinese civil affairs department that you are currently in a “single” state, having divorced in Canada.
Many people mistakenly believe that simply bringing a Canadian divorce order back to China is sufficient. This is a common misconception and could very well result in being refused service at the civil affairs bureau, delaying your wedding and other plans!
China’s civil affairs departments not only need to see your divorce certificate, but also a legally valid and officially certified “Declaration of Single Status After Divorce”.
As experts in handling cross-border legal documents in the Toronto area, JZW Law Firm understands every detail. We’ve prepared this ultimate guide and offer professional, one-stop service to ensure your journey to love isn’t hindered by paperwork issues.

Why is a simple "single status declaration" so complicated?

This document must undergo a rigorous legal authentication process before it can be officially recognized by the Chinese government. Since Canada acceded to the Hague Convention, the process has been simplified to: lawyer drafting and notarization → provincial government Hague Apostille.

It seems like there are only two steps, but each step contains a hidden “secret”:

Step 1: Drafting and Notarization – One wrong step in the content and the whole thing is wasted.

This statement is not just a casually written letter. It is a formal legal document, and its content must be precise and accurate. It typically includes:

  • Your full legal name, passport number, and Canadian address.
  • Detailed information about your previous marriage: former spouse’s name, date and place of marriage.
  • Your divorce details: the court that issued the divorce decree, the date, and the file number.
  • A clear and unambiguous legal statement: “Since my divorce on the aforementioned date, I have not remarried in Canada or anywhere else in the world, and am currently single and entitled to marry [Fiancé/Fiancé Name]”.

JZW Law’s professional advantages:

  • Precise Drafting: With a vast portfolio of successful cases, we are intimately familiar with the specific requirements of civil affairs bureaus across China regarding the content of declarations. We will tailor a complete, standardized, bilingual (Chinese and English) declaration for you, eliminating the risk of rejection due to non-compliance from the outset.
  • Convenient Notarization: You only need to sign in the presence of our lawyers to complete the notarization process; there is no need to find a notary public.

Step 2: Obtain the Hague Apostille – You will also need another important document!

Many people only think about getting the Declaration of Divorce certified, but overlook its “golden partner”—the Canadian Divorce Order or Certificate of Divorce.

In order to form a complete chain of evidence, China’s civil affairs departments usually require you to provide the following:

  1. A Hague-certified Declaration of No Remarriage After Divorce
  2. Original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree/divorce certificate authenticated by the Hague.

JZW Law’s one-stop service:

We can handle the Hague Apostille for both documents on your behalf. You won’t need to figure out how to obtain certified copies from the court or queue at government buildings. We’ll handle all the tedious filing procedures for you, ensuring both documents are certified simultaneously and compliantly.

Step Three: Professional Translation – The “Last Mile” to Success

The Hague Apostille itself is bilingual (English and French), and your declaration and divorce decree are also in English. Staff at the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs cannot read them directly. Therefore, you will need the entire set of documents (including the Apostille certificate itself) translated into Chinese by a professional agency.

JZW Law’s thoughtful arrangements:

We can connect you with trusted professional translation agencies in Canada or China to ensure accurate and compliant translations, and affix a translation stamp as needed, so your documents can be processed smoothly in China.

Choose JZW Law, choose peace of mind and protection.

Wedding preparations are already a huge undertaking, why add the hassle of complicated legal documents?

  • Risk at your own risk (DIY): Improper content drafting, omission of key documents, lack of understanding of the certification process, unapproved translation… Any mistake in any step may cause you and your loved one to make an unnecessary trip to the Civil Affairs Bureau, or even affect the entire wedding plan.
  • JZW Law’s one-stop solution: Simply contact us, and we’ll handle everything from document drafting and court document retrieval to lawyer notarization, government Hague Apostille certification, and professional translation arrangements. The valuable time you save can be used to choose your wedding dress, book your banquet, and enjoy your special moment.

Your happiness should not be burdened by paperwork.

Before you return to your home country to tie the knot, let JZW Law Firm be your most reliable legal support and clear away all obstacles for you.

Contact us now to make a perfect and smooth start to your new life!

JZW Law Firm boasts a team of experienced lawyers fluent in both Chinese and English, providing professional legal services. We specialize in handling complex issues related to property division, corporate equity, trusts, and overseas assets. We offer initial consultations; please contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you require legal assistance, please consult a professional lawyer.