Obtaining a Single Status Certificate: A Comprehensive Guide – Guest Post

Those who are likely to solemnize marriage abroad must know about single status certificate. This is a singleness or celibacy certificate, or the certificate of no impediment. Consider it as a legal document that certifies the marital status of an individual.

Why Do You Need a Single Status Certificate?

Many non-residents are not aware of the fact that they need this document before matrimony. This is the case of such individuals who intend to marriage a foreign national abroad. It is to be submitted to the competent authority, like embassy or consulate.

• Verification of Bachelorhood

With this document, the foreign-based official authority confirms that the certificate bearer is not legally married, and hence, is a bachelor or single. With this proof, the competent officer draws an idea about his/her single status. This verification proves one’s eligibility for marriage. Simply put, this document prevents fraudulent or bigamous marriages.

The foreign authorities get assured about the same because it is issued by the government itself or relevant authorities, which guides them to allow for marriage with a foreigner.

• Adoption of a Child

Additionally, this paper is often considered necessary for international adoption processes.  Countries where the adoption of a child takes place need confirmation regarding the prospective adoptive parent (if he or she is not married and eligible to adopt a child).

• Getting Visa

Another case that require this proof is associated with certain visas or residency permits in foreign countries. The immigration authority wants to make it clear that there is no dependent of the applicant from any previous marriage.

 Who is the issuing authority in various countries?

Every nation runs on its own rules and regulations. Each country has its own issuing authority that issues a single status certificate (CENOMAR).

In the United States, there is the county clerk’s office to issue in the city or town where the individual resides. Likewise, the General Register Office or the local register office has the authority to provide this document in the United Kingdom. If it’s in Australia, the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in the state or territory does it. Similarly, Canada has the provincial or territorial vital statistics office that carries out this responsibility of issuing the certificate.

In the nutshell, every country has a unique government bodies/ department, or agencies responsible for issuing the single status certificate, but it generally falls under vital records or civil registration authorities.

What is the procedure to obtain it?

The process to obtain this document while being abroad can be different in various countries, which is often regulated.  In general, there are a few steps that are commonly followed in every country. Let’s quickly catch up with them below:

Step 1. Determine the Issuing Authority

At first, you need to come across the government authority that does it in your country. Typically, these authorities can be the vital records office, civil registration authority, or the relevant department in charge of marriages and civil status. So, find out which authority issues in the country of your origin.

Step 2. Gather Necessary Documents

Before visiting the authority, you need to bring all supporting documents in place, such as a valid passport or national identification, proof of residency, date of birth certificate, and any other identification documents specified by the issuing authority.

Step 3. Application Form Filling

Visit the office of the competent authority and obtain the application form for the single status certificate in person. Now that you have, fill out the form accurately. Mention all necessary personal details and any other required information clearly. Once done, submit it.

Step 4. Pay Applicable Fees

Further, get ready with the requisite fee. You may check it prior to scheduling the appointment for the document. Pay the required amount, either in person at the office or through the integrated payment methods.

Step 5. Submit the Application

Once done with the fee, submit the completed application form. Enclose the supporting documents and proof of payment to the issuing authority. Always attend the details of the necessary paperwork if you apply in person.

Step 6. Processing time

The interval from the date of submitting application to the date of delivery is the processing time. It varies country to country. The processing may take a few weeks to a month for its complete processing.

Step 7. Receive the Certificate

Once every step is processed successfully, you will receive this single status proof. In some cases, you may be asked to collect it in person. However, it might be sent to your address through mail because of digital back office exercise.

Step 8. Legalization or Apostille (if required)

If you want to make it acceptable, get it attested or obtain an apostille stamp on it. In case of marriage, you have to get it legalized or apostilled.

Step 9. Translation (if required)

This is basically applicable to such applicants who want it for the country where the official language is different. For this, find a certified transcription services provider or translator should be found. So, leverage his/her expertise to translate your certificate of no marriage.

Before concluding the steps, it is essential to discover that the specific steps and requirements for obtaining this certificate can differ significantly between countries. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult an NRI consultant to get accurate and up-to-date information about the process.

What is the process of its attestation?

Attestation refers to legalization of the document. The process of attesting this paper involves authentication or verification to make it legally valid and acceptable in a foreign country. This is necessary, especially when the certificate is to be used for international purposes, such as marriage, adoption, or employment in a foreign country.

So! What’s the process of attestation?

The process typically includes the following steps:

Step 1. Notarization

The first step involves a licensed notary public. This officer verifies the authenticity of the document and the signature of the issuing authority.

Step 2. State Authentication

Upon notarization, the applicant may need to visit the Secretary of State’s office where the notary is licensed. This step validates that the signature of the notary is authentic.

Step 3. State Authentication

If the destination country is a member nation of The Hague Apostille Convention, the next step will be to obtain an apostille from the U.S. Department of State. The apostille stamp certifies that the state-level authentication was genuine and hence, the certificate is internationally recognized.

Step 4. Embassy or Consulate Legalization

If the applicant is going to the country other than the member country of the Hague Convention, the embassy or consulate of that country should be reached out to get it attested. This step will verify the authenticity of the signature of the previous authorities (those have put the stamp on).

So, it’s crucial to discover that the attestation process may be different or in accordance with the specific requirements of the destination country. Also, understand the unique rules and procedures for document attestation because they differ from country to country. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a consultant or solicitor to know the guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate of the destination country, or seek the assistance of a reputable document attestation service to ensure that all the necessary steps are followed correctly, and the certificate is properly authenticated for international use.

What documents are needed to support its application?

The application for this document will be incomplete unless you enclose essential documents. This enclosure is essential to check the applicant’s marital status and identity. The specific documents are more or less similar, except a few ones.

Let’s find out which documents are necessary to enclose for its verification.

• Valid identification, which can be proven through a valid passport or national identification card. It is usually necessary to determine the applicant’s identity.
• Birth certificate is often required to discover the actual date of his/her birth.
• Affidavit or declaration of single status is a sworn statement that states the declaration on behalf of the applicant. It states that the applicant is currently unmarried, and is legally able to marry.
• Divorce decree or death certificate (if applicable) are required to discover if the person has been previously married and divorced.
• Proof of residency or the address proof of the applicant’s current residency (such as utility bills or a residential address registration) will be required.
• Passport-sized photographs are must-haves, which should be recent.
• Application form is the main requirement that should be complete, accurate, and up-to-date.

Conclusion

It is crucial to obtain the correct documents and ensure they are valid and properly authenticated. Additionally, some countries may have specific requirements or additional documents needed for their single status certificate application. Therefore, applicants should carefully review the guidelines provided by the issuing authority or consult the relevant embassy or consulate for precise information on the required supporting documents. Seeking professional assistance or legal advice can also be beneficial to ensure a smooth and successful application process.

BIO

Roshan Singh is an experienced professional in the field of content development, currently serving as a Senior Content Developer at S2NRI. With extensive experience and expertise in crafting compelling and engaging content, Roshan has played a vital role in driving a unique content strategy forward. Known for his exceptional writing skills and meticulous attention to detail, he has consistently delivered high-quality content that resonates with audiences across various platforms. Roshan’s dedication, creativity, and passion for storytelling make him a valuable asset.