An Introduction to Single Status Certificate

As its name suggests, Single Status Certificate is a legitimate document, proving that the bearer is unmarried. The foreign affairs ministry of most of countries requires it to determine if the person is actually single. The substantial thing is that a divorcee and a widower are also recognised as a single by marital status. Simply put, there are three types of status that are considered “single”, which are bachelorhood, divorcee, and widower as per judiciary system of all nations.

Single Status Affidavit or Single Status Certificate

An affidavit is a sworn document, which is issued by a notary public or the district magistrate (DM) or sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in the local court. Both are recognised as A-Grade Gazette officers. Therefore, they have the authority to issue it. This is called a single status affidavit.

The need for this affidavit rises when there is no particular government agency or set up to issue it. In such a case, the court has the authority to issue it to the applicant. This certificate and affidavit have equal values.

Importance and Advantages of this Certificate

People often take a flight to temporarily shift to another country for a variety of reasons. Mostly, they migrate for seeking higher education, employment, business events, and tourism. Many instances are there, narrating how a migrant fell for a foreigner. Some relationships turn out serious and get translated into marriage. Here appears the certificate of single status in a vital role!

Actually, most governments have made it mandatory to show proof of being unmarried. It is called bachelorhood certificate, CENOMAR or Certificate of No Impediment, Nulla Osta, and many other names in different countries.

Basically, it’s a safety measure for any government to prevent a marital scam due to polygamy before happening. The apostilled or attested proof states that the competent authority has legally verified the status of that person and then, declared in a document with a signature and stamp of the verifying authority.

In all, this legitimate paper prevents marital fraud, preventing polygamy. It is obvious that discovering this information requires physical presence. For a foreigner, it’s a big challenge. So, this provision sorts it out.

Need this Proof Prior to Marriage

You may not submit it anytime. There are many legal practices like verification and paperwork involved in it, which are time-consuming. So, the migrant has to submit it a month prior to marriage.

How can you get a single status certificate?

Unlike a few years ago, the applicant has a privilege. They can apply it online. It means that there is an online application method to follow for seeking it.

However, some countries have authorities like PSA in Philippines that issue it as a certificate. But, the case of having no such authority can be addressed through A-Grade Gazette officer, which is available throughout the world.

Here is the common procedure to apply for this certificate of being unmarried.

1. Find the website of the embassy of the country you hail from.
2. Register with it and create a password to sign in.
3. Once done, sign in and then, search for the certificate application.
4. Download the form and fill up the requisite details while following the guidelines
5. Upload it with supporting documents for verification.
6. Pay out the requisite fee online using debit or credit card details.
7. Apply for the certificate/affidavit of bachelorhood online through the available option.
8. Save the receipt to track the status of your application.

This procedure may be limited to fixing an appointment also. In that case, you may have to follow these steps:

1. Go to the embassy website of your own country.
2. Find the online application to download and fill it up.
3. Fix the appointment for physical verification by visiting the embassy on the scheduled date.
4. Once done, visit the embassy while carrying all requested proofs of your identity, address, and witness’ proofs.
5. Then only, your application would be processed and you’ll get it in a few days afterward.

Documents Required for Verification

• Passport or visa
• Photographs
• An affidavit stating that you’re single with more requisite details of address, identity, and witnesses
• An affidavit on behalf of your parents stating that your bachelorhood with more requisite details of address & identity
• Parents’ proof, their nationality card or driving licence
• Birth proof, like birth certificate, NABC, school certificate
• Address proof, like Bank Passbook & rental agreement
• Decree Absolute if you’re legally divorced
• Death certificate if your spouse is no more

 Attestation of the Certificate

By attestation, we mean legalization. It is the process of verification and authentication of the document. The competent officer verifies the originality of the documents shown for the unmarried certificate. For this purpose, there are certain authorities that can legalise it. These are mainly the following:

• The notary public

This is a legal officer incorporated with the local court. He verifies the originality of the documents shown as proof of marital intentions and identity. Once satisfied, he puts his signature and then, signs it up. However, this document may or may not be acceptable. It depends on the judicial rules pervasive there.

• A-Grade Gazette Officer

This officer holds all rights to issue an affidavit of single status. It will be approved and acceptable worldwide. Like the notary public, he also examines the originality and validity of supporting documents. Therefore, the applicant may not require a notarized document prior to it.

• The City or State government

Once issued, the affiant has to get it attested from the local government of his/ her own country. If physical presence is not possible, the person may appoint an attorney to carry out this process on his behalf. If you apply through the embassy, it gets the document attested from the competent department on its own.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ Immigration Authority

This is third phase of apostilling or attestation, wherein you have to appoint an agent because a layman does not reach and apply directly for attestation. A registered or authorized agent should be contacted for this purpose. Once done, he takes the pain and gets it legalized in a few working days.

• The embassy of the foreign country

This is the last level of legalization. You have to visit the foreign embassy and receive the signature of the consul there. At this level, the supporting documents may not be examined thoroughly. But, you should keep them handy.

Samples of Single status certificate format PDF online

Single Status Affidavit(Affiant) “I (name of the applicant), s/o or d/o (parents’ name) born on (D.O.B) in (place of birth), am single and eligible to marry Indian or other national according to law. I am unmarried (for unmarried)/ have no dependent from the previous marriage (for divorcee/widowed). ”

Single Status Affidavit(Parents) “We (name of parents), of (age, like 50 years), married citizens of (country) with legal address after having been sworn to the law, hereby state that we are the legitimate parents of (the applicant’s name) born on (D.O.B) in (address). We are the witnesses of his/her unmarried status till today (for unmarried). Or, his/her divorce and now he/she has no dependent from the previous marriage (for divorcee).”

FAQs

Why do you need this certificate?

This proof is basically required for solemnizing marriage with a foreigner. However, the person who is seeking employment or education abroad may also need it to prove that he or she has any dependent from matrimony.

Where can you apply for it?

The embassy is the best-fit competent authority that can help you in its online application. It should be from your native country or where you come from. You may explore its website and file an online application to seek it. It allows you to schedule an appointment for physical verification. You must reach there on time with valid proofs.

What is a single status certificate attestation?

It means legalization of the certification, which is done upon thoroughly examining the validity and originality of the supporting papers like Nationality Card, Address proofs, pictures, birth certificate, etc. There are four main authorities that attest to it-the notary, the A-gazette officer, the foreign ministry, and the embassy.

What is the apostille of the unmarried certificate?

It is also a method of legalization, which is carried out by the embassy or foreign ministry of the native country. The apostilling is required when you’re likely to get married in the member country of the Hague Convention. Upon this attestation, you won’t need any further legalization of this document.

Is apostille different for different countries?

No, it is not valid for all countries. 101 countries are members of the Hague Convention, which needs apostille services for all documents.

For the rest of the countries, you have to visit or contact the outsourcing agency, if in India and the embassy, if abroad.

What is the checklist of supporting documents for it?

• Photographs
• Original Passport & its photocopy
• Decree Absolute, if divorced
• Affidavit (of spouses, parents, and witnesses)
• Death certificate (of a deceased spouse, if widowed)
• Affidavit of the affiant and his/ her parents (two separate docs)
• Original and photocopy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID Card/Driving licence

How much does its attestation cost?

The cost of attestation varies in different countries. Check the embassy website of your country for these details.

How many days does its delivery take?

The postal orders service has been discontinued for normal attestation. So, its delivery can take more than a month.

What is the validity of this proof?

The validity of this document is up to six months or one year. The person has to re-apply for it if he/she fails to submit it in time.