A certificate of no record of marriage shows that a state has no marriage on file for you. Countries often ask for one, apostilled, before you can marry there or prove single status for a visa. This guide explains what the document is, where to get it, how the apostille works, and what to do if your state doesn’t issue one.
What a no record of marriage certificate is
A no record of marriage certificate, sometimes called a certificate of no record, no-marriage verification or “letter of no record”, is issued by a state vital records office after it searches its marriage index. It confirms that no marriage was found for the name and years searched.
Not every state issues one. Some only search records from a certain year onward, and some issue it only on request with specific search details. Where a state does not issue it, foreign authorities usually accept a notarized single status affidavit instead.
Why you might need to apostille it
- Marrying in another country, where the civil registry needs proof that you are free to marry
- Fiancé, spouse or partner visa applications
- Some residency and citizenship applications
- Registering a foreign marriage back home in the destination country
The apostille is accepted in Hague Convention countries; see our list of apostille countries. For other countries the document needs authentication and embassy legalization.
How to obtain and apostille it, step by step
- Ask the foreign authority what it accepts: a state no record certificate, a single status affidavit, or both, and how recent it must be.
- Request the certificate from the state vital records office in each state where you have lived as an adult, if the authority asks for that. Give your full name, any former names and the years to be searched.
- Check the signature. The certificate must be signed by a state official the Secretary of State has on file.
- Submit it to that state’s Secretary of State for the apostille. Oregon, for example, lists no-marriage verification records from its vital records office among the documents it can apostille, at $10 per certificate.
- Arrange a certified translation if the destination country requires one. See whether to translate before or after the apostille.
If your state doesn’t issue one
Use a single status affidavit: a sworn statement that you are not married, signed in front of a notary public. The notary’s signature is then apostilled by the Secretary of State in the notary’s state. Our guide to single status apostilles explains this route.
If you were married before, foreign authorities will also want an apostilled divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Searching only one state when the foreign authority wants every state you have lived in
- Leaving out former names, which makes the search incomplete
- Using an old certificate; many countries only accept documents issued in the last three to six months
- Mixing up documents, such as sending a marriage license application instead of a no record certificate
See our list of common apostille mistakes for more.
Timelines and costs
State vital records offices take from a few days to several weeks to issue a no record certificate, and the apostille adds more time. Apostille Authentications charges $195 for the first document and $65 for each additional document, plus state fees. See our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a no record of marriage the same as a single status certificate?
They serve the same purpose. A no record certificate is issued by a state; a single status affidavit is your own sworn statement, notarized.
Which state should issue my no record certificate?
Usually the state where you live, but some countries want one from every state where you have lived as an adult. Ask the foreign authority.
Does the apostille expire?
No, but most countries only accept recent certificates, often issued within three to six months.
Do I need a translation?
Many countries require a certified translation. Our translation service can help.
Get your single status documents ready
Contact us with the states you have lived in and the destination country, and we will confirm which documents you need.
Related guides: Apostille Death Certificate: How to Legalize It for International Use · Apostille Marriage Certificate: Everything You Need to Know