Family sponsorship from Bangladesh: marriage and civil documents

What marriage documents are needed to sponsor a spouse from Bangladesh?

Submit the official marriage certificate from the authority that registered the marriage. For Muslim marriages, Bangladeshi law requires registration by a licensed Nikah Registrar, who keeps the register and gives copies of the entry to the parties. Include a certified English translation of any Bangla document.

Non-Muslim marriages are registered under other laws. Submit the certificate from the body that registered your marriage.

Which birth documents will IRCC expect?

A birth certificate for each person in the application. Bangladesh birth registrations can be checked on the government’s online Birth and Death Verification service, so make sure names and dates match your passport and other documents exactly.

If the birth was registered late, add older records such as school certificates showing the same names and dates.

How do we prove the relationship is genuine?

Marriage documents alone are not enough. Include photos from the wedding and after, proof of contact over time, and visits. For arranged marriages, explain how the families were introduced. Be consistent: IRCC compares what you and your spouse write.

What if my spouse or I was divorced before?

Include the final divorce document for every previous marriage. For Muslim divorces in Bangladesh, the 1974 Act also provides for registration of divorces, so submit the registered record and a certified translation. If a divorce happened outside Bangladesh, use the final court or government document from that country.

Can I sponsor my child from Bangladesh?

Yes, a dependent child can be included or sponsored. If the other parent is not coming, IRCC generally asks for proof of custody and a signed consent from the other parent if they have parental rights.