Typically, a civil status certificate is another name of a single status certificate. It is also called the proof of civil status that states the status of the bearer as married, divorced, widowed, or separated. This document serves as a concrete proof of an individual’s marriage, date of birth, address, marriage, and baptism.
Some embassies or consulates issue this certificate as a mandatory practice to document one’s single, married, registered partnership, separated, divorced, or widowed status. On the flip, certain countries keep it optional. This document typically helps you to add value to your visa application.
In essence, this document is legal proof proving your civil status. Instead of presenting a specific document like a marriage certificate, a birth certificate, etc., you can enclose it as a single proof of your civil status during visa processing. Otherwise, an individual cannot easily prove that he or she is single or unmarried.
Supporting Documents to Enclose with a Civil Status Application Form
It requires many documents to verify the application of the applicant. The checklist of these documents will help you get your application verified:
- Marriage Certificate: It formally proves that you have solemnised marriage.
- Registered Partnership Certificate: It is optional, as some countries’ laws recognise it. This is actually similar to marriage proof. But it differs because the court issues it when the couple is likely to terminate a marriage. However, a registered partnership can be dissolved without any court trial, provided that the couple has no child from the marriage and it does not have any conflicts between them.
- Legal Separation Certificate: This document is a formal proof of separation of spouses. But on legal terms, the couple remains married. This is the first step toward divorce legally.
- Divorce Certificate: This is a final verdict from a divorce court that declares the spouses are no longer a couple.
- Widowed Certificate: This is a document issued when the spouse is no more. In some countries, this certificate is not issued. Therefore, widowed applicants can use this civil status as a proof of the marriage and the death of the spouse.
- Other Civil Status Certificates: In some countries, the law recognises partnership between two people as domestic support. Despite being unmarried and two separate individuals, they can live together to share a common domestic life, but not as a married couple.
However, domestic partnership certificates are not worldwide recognized. But, you can prove that you live together by enclosing a copy of the same address, ID, driving license, rental agreement, utility bill, etc.
- Single Status Certificate: It is like a certificate of no impediment or celibacy certificate. From the perspective of a bureaucracy, this certificate recognises the ones whose marital status is single. There are some separated, widowed, and divorced cases, which are also considered single in legal terms. This certificate proves their bachelorhood. And for non-residents, the embassy or consulate officer issues it as an affidavit or a single status certificate. However, the gazette officer can issue it, which is later legalised by the notary public, county clerk, or magistrate.
- Attested Copy of a Birth Certificate: Some cases may require an original birth certificate, especially when it is for the application of a visa. The civil authority requires an attested or apostille birth certificate to consider it.
- Transcription: If the certificate is not in English or an official language, get it transcribed by a certified translator or agency. In many cases, this translation should be in English because global embassies accept this document in a universal language. Its example is academic transcript that can be required for immigration.
- Attested Passport: A copy of your valid passport will be requested to present. So, keep it with the original document.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtain a Civil Status Certificate
Typically, this certificate is required for visa or immigration purposes. These steps will help you to get it effortlessly:
Step 1. Discover the Authority: Find the right competent authority that has a right to issue it. It may vary from country to country. In some countries, it can be the Town Hall, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Administration of Civil Status, or local civil registrar.
Step 2. Explore the Website: Check on the website of the concerned authority to see if it can be applied online. Once confirmed, you can create an account on the website or register yourself. This is how you need to create your login and credentials to get the service.
Step 3. Alternative Request: If possible, you can in-person visit the office of the concerned authority to apply for the civil status certificate.
Step 4. Verification & Attestation: While applying, the verification will go on. So, be ready with your supporting documents. The checklist is aforementioned. You can compile documents accordingly and get it attested from the concerned departments like notary public/ gazette officer, and embassy. Also, keep their photocopies with the originals handy.
Common Mistakes that Must Be Avoided
- Avoid an Extract of Civil Status Certificate: In some cases, the embassy or competent authority hands over the extracts of some crucial certificates like the registry of births or unregistered births, deaths, and marriages. Considering it a legal replacement is a big mistake. It cannot be officially accepted as a civil status certificate.
- Conflicting Particulars of Your Personal Details: There might be some typos or other mistakes in your personal information that can barricade further processing. So, you should check it before going to obtain this certificate.
- Add the Details of Your Children: This certificate is for the applicant who applies for it. If they have children, enclose their birth certificates also, even if they are not accompanying. However, this is not mandatory, but it can add value to your visa application.
Conclusion
The civil status certificate is basically required when the person is projected to go abroad. So, it is necessary for processing visa applications. It states the date of birth, marital status, and baptism of the applicant. So, it helps in easily obtaining a visa for the country where you are likely to go. Its application is verified provided you enclose a copy of your original passport, birth proof, single status, widowed, or divorced with the given documents.
