Government of Canada services and information in Managua, Nicaragua
Services and information provided to Canadians by the Embassy of Canada to Nicaragua, in Managua.
On this page
- Adoption and surrogacy
- Birth abroad
- Citizenship services
- Criminal record checks
- Death abroad
- Marriage abroad
- Notarial services
- Passport services
- Pensions and retirement
- Same-sex marriage abroad
- Studying abroad
- Visa and immigration services
- Voting abroad
Adoption and surrogacy
Refer to International adoption.
Adoption processes in Nicaragua are handled by the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Family (MIFAN) (in Spanish), which supervises and coordinates the process through its National Adoption Council, an interinstitutional body that evaluates each adoption request and ultimately authorizes or rejects the adoption of a child.
As this is a private legal matter, we suggest that any prospective parent contact the Ministry directly and also retain the services of a local Attorney that deals with Family Law and adoptions.
Canadians wishing to adopt should be aware that the entire process may take years and that the Nicaraguan government may ask for additional documentation beyond that which is listed in the website.
Birth abroad
Refer to Children born outside of Canada.
If your child is born outside of Canada, you do not need to register the birth in Canada.
Children born to Canadian parents in Nicaragua are considered by the Nicaraguan government to be Nicaraguan nationals, independently of their Canadian citizenship status. As Nicaraguan nationals, children have to be registered before the relevant municipal authorities and have to be issued a Nicaraguan Long Form Birth Certificate. As Nicaraguan nationals, they will also require a Nicaraguan passport in order to leave the country, even if there is no intention on the part of the parents to return.
For the birth registration process, please visit the corresponding civil registry office with jurisdiction over the place of birth. Additional information may also be found the Nicaraguan Civil Registry website (in Spanish).
Citizenship services
Applying for a Canadian citizenship certificate from outside Canada and the United States
If you are required to submit a paper application, please mail it to the following address:
Mailing address:
Embassy of Canada | Embajada de Canadá
Attn: Consular - Citizenship Services
Edificio Corporativo BDF, 6to piso,
del Club Terraza 440 metros al este
Pista Jean Paul Genie,
Managua, Nicaragua
If you prefer to drop-off your application in person, you are invited to leave your application at the reception Monday to Friday from 8am - 12pm (except public holidays).
Payment method
| Details | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Application for a Citizenship Certificate for adults and minors (Proof of Citizenship) | 75.00 |
| Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship | 100.00 |
| Replacement / Update of proof of Canadian citizenship | 75.00 |
| Application for a Search of Citizenship Records | 75.00 |
Criminal record checks
Refer to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Criminal record checks.
Death abroad
Refer to Death abroad.
Marriage abroad
Refer to Marriage outside Canada.
Civil marriage is a private legal matter and requires the presence of a practicing Nicaraguan lawyer to carry out the ceremony and to then register the marriage at the Nicaraguan Civil Registry Office. Please retain the services of a local lawyer to confirm the full list of requirements, including any and all documentation that you may require from Canada or elsewhere.
Nicaraguan authorities will not accept authentications / certifications done by the Embassy of Canada to Nicaragua, in Managua.
You cannot get married at a Canadian embassy or consulate. Canadian consular officials do not perform marriage ceremonies, and they do not have to attend a marriage ceremony in a foreign country.
Marriages that are legally performed in a foreign country are usually valid in Canada, and you do not need to register them in Canada.
Nicaragua does not perform or recognize same-sex marriages in its Civil Code.
In all instances, please consult with a local attorney familiar with the Nicaraguan Civil Code for full details on how to get married in Nicaragua.
Notarial services
Consular officials do not provide any legal advice or represent a person in court. The office provides the following notarial services, by appointment only, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada.
Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.
Apostille (replaces authentication or legalization services)
The Apostille Convention came into force in Canada on January 11, 2024. The apostille eases the use of Canadian documents abroad.
As of January 11, 2024, if you reside in Nicaragua and you need the authentication or legalization of a document issued in Canada, you must apply for the apostille. See Authentication of documents for more information.
The Embassy of Canada in Nicaragua will be able to deliver the apostille service for:
- Canadian civil documents (birth, marriage, death or name change certificate) issued by a provincial office of vital statistics in Canada
- Documents that would have qualified to receive the apostille from Global Affairs Canada
- See Authentication of documents to find out if your documents qualify.
Contact us with questions at mngua@international.gc.ca.
In all cases, you must include:
- Original document(s) needed for the apostille
- A payment of 50$CAD per document payable only by credit card (visa or mastercard).
- Complete and present the Credit Card Authorization form (PDF).
You can get apostille services by booking an appointment.
Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):
- Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
- Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).
Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):
- Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
- Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).
Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.
Payment method
Upfront payment is required in credit/debit card.
Only international Visa or Mastercard credit/debit cards accepted.
| Details | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Administering an oath or receiving a statutory declaration or affirmation. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
| Attesting any document bearing a signature (affidavit, declaration, affirmation, etc.). The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
| Authenticating (witnessing) a signature. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
| Authenticating the signature and seal of a foreign authority. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
| Authenticating signatures of Canadian authorities or notaries. | 50.00 |
| Certifying a true copy of a document. The fee shown is per copy. | 20.00 |
| Issuing a Statement in lieu of Certificate of Non-impediment to Marriage Abroad. The fee shown is a minimum, per document. | 30.00 |
| Transfer of private or public funds from Canada or elsewhere to the mission. The fee shown is per transfer. | 75.00 |
| Providing a Passport Canada CTC. The fee shown is per set of three copies. | 45.00 |
Passport services
Refer to Canadian passports and travel documents.
You can pay online for all your passport services before completing your passport application.
Book an appointment to present your documents in person. Send an email to mngua@international.gc.ca or call (505) 2268-0433 or 2268-3323 to book an appointment. Bring your online payment receipt to your appointment.
Payment method
| Details | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | 266.25 |
| 5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | 194.25 |
| 5-year Child passport (0-15 years of age) | 102.50 |
| Additional fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport | 45.00 |
| Emergency Travel Document (adult) | 75.00 |
| Emergency Travel Document (child) | 30.00 |
| Passport Retention | 45.00 |
| Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor | 50.00 |
Pensions and retirement
Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad and Retiring abroad.
Same-sex marriage abroad
Nicaraguan law does not recognize same-sex marriage. It does not penalize it either, but services related to same-sex marriages such as registration of the marriage and applying for local marriage-related rights may be denied.
Overall Nicaraguan society is conservative Catholic / Christian.
Same-sex relationships are generally rejected and open displays of affection between same-sex couples may result in rejection, verbal harassment and other acts of hostility. While instances of physical violence are very rare, care should be taken outside the main tourist areas, in the evenings and in rural areas.
Studying abroad
Refer to Students and youth and EduCanada.
Visa and immigration services
The Embassy does not provide information about immigration or visas to Canada.
- Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
- Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
- Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.
Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).
Voting abroad
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