As the title suggests, a certificate of being single is a bachelorhood certificate. It is known with diverse names like single status certificate, the certificate of no impediment, celibacy certificate, etc. Sometimes also called a single status affidavit, this legal document confirms that an individual is single and hence eligible for marriage anywhere.
The most common reason for obtaining is to register for marriage prior in the US, UK, or any other country. Basically, it serves legal purposes, which are to prove bachelorhood for marriage, obtaining a visa, or investing in a property abroad.
Steps to Get a Certificate of Being Single
This process is a little longer; it may be a month long because you have to obtain a notarised affidavit and then get it attested or apostilled from the embassy. Let’s track down the steps involved in its application process:
Step 1: Understand the Requirements
First and foremost, discover why you need this certificate. It will define the next step because you will request the county clerk or civil authority accordingly.
Accordingly, visit the office of the concerned authority in person. Alternatively, discover the website of the embassy where you need to apply. Get registered with it while creating login credentials.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Compile the documents mentioned below. Commonly, these documents are required as additional proofs to support your application:
- Proof of identity (passport, national ID, or birth certificate)
- Address proof, rental agreement, utility bills, or driving license
- Affidavit or declaration confirming your single status.
- Passport/ visa
- Photographs (of an applicant)
- Affidavit of parents
- Civil Status Certificate (in some cases)
- Birth Certificate
- Decree Absolute (of divorcees)
- Death Certificate (of demised spouse)
- Transcription (English Translation)
Most probably, this checklist will be sufficient to easily verify your application. But ensure to get updated information from the embassy of the country of your origin. Also, ensure that documents are up-to-date and authentic.
Step 3: Draft a Single Status Affidavit
Visit the gazette officer to get it drafted as a sworn statement. It states these authentic details:
- Full legal name that appears on your official documents
- Current address stating on the valid documents like utility bills, bank passbook, and driving license.
- Date of birth that is mentioned on the birth certificate or non-availability of birth certificate
- Declaration that is drafted by the gazette officer or notary public, considering current civil status
- Purpose of why you need this certificate
The applicant can hire a consultant like Services 2 NRI, a solicitor, or an NRI consultant to get end-to-end details for getting this document. Also, consult known legal standards.
Step 4: Notarisation of the Affidavit
Now that you have a drafted affidavit, notarise it by a notary public. It is a certified legal authority for verification and notarisation of this affidavit. This attestation confirms the authenticity of your declaration.
Supporting documents and requirements
- Present the documents that consist of your valid date of birth, address, parents’ details, etc.
- Self-attest the affidavit right in front of the notary public.
Once verified, thoroughly check if the notary has stamped and signed the affidavit. His attestation makes this paper valid.
Step 5: Attestation of the Certificate
For acceptance in the foreign country, the notarised affidavit of being single will be presented along with other required documents. Commonly, these authorities are categorised below:
- Local authorities attestation: Various countries have their own authorities as per their system, like a gazette officer, county clerk, or civil registries.
- Embassies or consulates (for international purposes) attestation/apostille: Embassies and consulates are the official representatives of respective countries in foreign nations. Typically, their role is to facilitate diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations. However, embassies cover a broader range of political matters. On the other hand, consulates focus on reducing hassles in immigration documentation, like visas, passports, renewals, etc. Also, they support commercial trade and travel in other countries. During the process of issuing the certificate or affidavit of being single, its role is to provide apostille stamp for power of attorney, transcript, or any other document for its legal acceptance worldwide.
- Religious institutions: This is typically required in the absence of a civil status certificate. It discloses the record of baptism. It is not the case in every country. So, the applicant has to confirm it from the embassy.
Each level of attestation requires a fee, which differs as per the authority’s requirements. The applicant can enquire from the concerned department and pay the fee accordingly.
Step 6: Attend an Interview or Verification (If Required)
This is an official interview round, where the embassy or consulates may ask the applicant to visit the embassy on the scheduled date and present additional details. This step basically helps the authority discover the real motive behind claiming the certificate of single status. So, applicants are supposed to answer questions from their personal lives. Also, the officer can ask to present the supporting document to verify his/her claims.
Step 7: Wait for Processing
Once verified, the concerned department will further process your request. This procedure can be longer than usual. But its length depends on the jurisdiction and the verification process. In many cases, the certificate is issued on the very same day. But in some cases, it may take several days or weeks.
Step 8: Obtain the Certificate
As the procedure is complete, the applicant will be informed through an SMS or email to receive his/her legalised single status affidavit/certificate. Once received, do check if the certificate carries flawless details, especially the name, date of birth, and any other vital details.
Step 9: Translation and Legalisation (If Needed)
For sure, each country requires this bachelorhood proof in its native language. So, you may translate it in English or a regional language with the support of a certified translator. Follow this process before attestation or getting an apostille stamp on your paper.
Normal attestation is typically for those who are likely to visit the non-member countries of the Hague Convention. And for the member countries, the apostille service is a must.
Step 10: Retain Copies for Future Use
Now that you have the certificate, keep it safe for the future. Some legal processes in the future may require you to present it.
Tips for a Smooth Process
- Verify Authority Requirements: It’s a must to double-check the requirement, like the checklist of documents required in the country that has requested it.
- Seek Professional Guidance: For hasty procedures, always consult with legal or administrative professionals or experts to avoid any errors in the application. This is how you can avoid delays and re-processing.
- Plan Ahead: The foremost reason for getting this certificate is to solemnise marriage abroad. This could be a long process, which means that you need to start early for keeping hassles at bay.
Conclusion
Getting a certificate of being single involves multiple steps, ranging from searching the right authority to getting it attested from the concerned authorities.
