Does a sponsored dependent child's marriage during processing affect their eligibility to be included?

Yes, a dependent child's marriage during processing can affect their eligibility to be included in a sponsorship application. The legal definition of a "dependent child" for immigration purposes has historically depended partly on age and partly on marital or common-law status — so getting married while the application is pending can be a material change affecting whether the child still qualifies as a dependant.

This is the kind of update that generally needs to be reported to IRCC as soon as it happens, rather than left for IRCC to discover later or addressed only if asked. Depending on the current definition in place at the time — since this is an area that can be updated by policy — a newly married child may no longer meet the requirements to be included as a dependant on the family's application.

Because the exact rules around what counts as a dependent child can change, and because a missed disclosure can carry more serious consequences than the marriage itself, don't assume it's a minor detail. If a dependent child in your sponsorship has married, or is planning to, while the application is pending, speak with an immigration lawyer promptly to understand how it affects their inclusion and what needs to be reported.