Single Status Affidavit Apostille
What is a Single Status Affidavit?
A single status affidavit, also known as a certificate of no impediment or affidavit of single status, is a document that affirms a person’s unmarried status. It is usually issued by a person’s local civil registrar or other designated government authority in their home country.
The affidavit will state the person’s identifying information, such as their full legal name, date and place of birth, parents’ names, and current residential address. It will clearly indicate that the person is not currently married or in a registered domestic partnership or civil union. Some affidavits may also state that the person has never been married.
The document will be signed and stamped by an authorized official to certify that the marital status information is accurate. The single status affidavit serves as legal proof that the person is single and eligible to marry or enter a domestic partnership according to the laws of their home country.
Why Do I Need an Apostille for a Single Status Affidavit?
An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document like an affidavit. It verifies that the document is issued by the proper authority in its country of origin.
Many foreign governments and organizations require an apostille to recognize documents from another country. An apostilled single status affidavit proves to foreign authorities that:
- The document is an official single status affidavit from your country.
- The signature and seal on the affidavit are genuine.
- The document can be legally used for any procedure abroad.
Getting an apostille allows your single status affidavit to be valid internationally. This is essential if you need the affidavit for any of the following reasons:
- Applying for a marriage license or getting married overseas
- Adopting a child from another country
- Declaring your single status for immigration
- Obtaining a divorce in another country
Uses for an Apostilled Single Status Affidavit
Once you have a single status affidavit with apostille, it can be used to prove your unmarried status for:
Marriage Abroad:
Many countries require proof you are single and eligible to marry before issuing a marriage license. A properly apostille affidavit will satisfy this requirement.
Immigration:
If you are immigrating to a country and need to declare your unmarried status, an apostille affidavit serves as official proof to immigration authorities.
Adoption:
Adoption agencies and government authorities abroad may ask for documentation confirming your single status. An apostille affidavit will help facilitate international adoption.
Divorce Proceedings:
To obtain a divorce in another country, you may need to provide legal evidence that you are not currently married. A certified single status affidavit can serve this purpose.
In any situation where marital status must be declared, an apostille single status affidavit serves as internationally accepted legal proof. Getting this vital document certified for international use makes the process smooth and straightforward.
How to Get a Single Status Affidavit Apostilled
- Prepare the affidavit. It states that you are free to marry. Some countries ask for specific wording, so check with the foreign registry or consulate first.
- Sign it before a notary public.
- Apostille. The Secretary of State in the state where the affidavit was notarized issues the apostille.
- Legalization, if needed. For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, the document is authenticated and then legalized by that country’s embassy.
How Recent Does the Affidavit Need to Be?
Many countries only accept a single status affidavit issued within the last three to six months. Confirm the limit with the authority that will receive it before you order, so the document is still valid on your wedding date.
Single Status Affidavit or No Record of Marriage?
A single status affidavit is a sworn statement you sign yourself. A no record of marriage is a certificate from a state or county office confirming it found no marriage record for you. Some countries ask for one, and some ask for both. We also provide no record of marriage apostille, along with our other apostille services.
Single Status Affidavit Apostille FAQ
What else is a single status affidavit called?
It is also known as a certificate of no impediment or an affidavit of single status. Different countries use different names for the same document.
Does a single status affidavit need to be notarized?
Yes. You sign the affidavit in front of a notary public, and the notarized document is then apostilled.
What if the country is not part of the Hague Convention?
Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention require authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille. We handle both.