You may have or are likely to have a single status certificate for solemnizing marriage abroad. Here, the validity of this document can be a matter of great concern. You should be aware of the fact that validity is not the must-have criterion to meet. The reason is that every country has a different set of immigration rules, which may or may not define the validity duration of the single status certificate.
If you consider the case of the Philippines, this bachelorhood proof shows the validity of six months. After that, you have to get it revised.
On the flip side, there are countries like India where you don’t have to renew your singleness proof. But if you are moving from India to another country, you have to follow the rules of that country.
So, you should find the immigration rules of the country where you go or are likely to visit. Also, these rules inform end-to-end areas where you need which documents and apply for the bachelorhood proof.
Single Status Certificate – Must for Non-Resident’s Marriage
Non-residents’ life is not easy, especially when they would like to settle down with a foreigner on the migrated land or country.
Let’s say you are an Indian and your would-be spouse is British. The way to marriage is not going to be easy without the correct paperwork. The UK-based spouse visa plus a single status proof in the embassy is necessary to present. On this basis only, the applicant can be able to solemnize marriage in a foreign.
The spouse visa is a family visa that also requires the partners or family members to live together. This condition applies to husbands and wives, civil partners, and unmarried partners (the couple in the live-in relationship for at least two years).
The couple may be engaged and is soon to be married or likely to enter a civil partnership (probably in six months). This is the case in many western and European countries like the UK.
How Long is Single Status Certificate Valid?
The answer to this question has already been aforementioned (in the beginning). Actually, this proof is valid for six months only. On exceeding this timeline, the applicant must go through the entire CENOMAR application process from scratch.
Sometimes, the delay in getting this proof may lead to the cancellation of the marriage. This happening, unfortunately, leads to the re-application of the same process.
So, you should always consider the marriage date and apply it a few months prior (probably two or three months earlier) so that you can receive and present it to the consul of that country. Later, you may show it to the civil authority (like the Church) that allows marriage to solemnize.
Where to Apply for this Proof if you are a Non-Resident?
It’s a common matter of concern for all who have temporarily settled abroad “where to apply for the unmarried certificate”.
The answer is – in the country of your origin. It means you must visit your country’s embassy and apply for this document. This is simply because you are still a resident of the country where you took birth.
What about the Procedure?
The process or procedure of getting a single status affidavit (which is also treated as a single status certificate) is similar.
To exactly share, here are the steps:
- 1st Step: Go to your country’s embassy website.
- 2nd Step: Log in and fill out the unmarried or single status affidavit form.
- 3rd Step: Upload the soft copies of your documents requested to be uploaded as supporting documents to verify.
- 4th Step: Pay the fee for the service. (It’s optional as you may directly pay at the embassy office.)
- 5th Step: Schedule a meeting at the embassy.
- 6th Step: Visit the consul and get through the verification procedure by showing all requested documents. (Below will be the list of all of these documents.)
- 7th Step: Pay the fee here if you haven’t paid yet.
- 8th Step: Receive the receipt and refer to the number on it to check the status of your application later.
Note: Here, the thing to notify you is that the fee will include SMS and courier charges. These are very much affordable as well as minimal.
You may yourself follow the procedure in your own country. In that case, the hassles would be more because you have to get an affidavit from an A-gazette officer or a civil officer in the city. Or, you may hire a consultant to execute the entire procedure on your behalf.
Once done with the process, you will receive the document within a stipulated time. In case of any delay, the reference number can be used for checking the status. Or, you may directly ask the consul via an inquiry.
Checklist of Supporting Documents:
- An affidavit stating the affiant is unmarried, divorced, or widowed with the details of address, identity, and witnesses.
- Address proof, like Bank Passbook, rental agreement, nationality ID or nationality card, etc…
- Passport or visa
- Birth proof, like birth certificate, NABC, school certificate or adoption paper, or baptism papers
- Parents’ proof, their voter ID or nationality proof & affidavit
- Decree Absolute if the person is legally divorced
- Death certificate if the person’s spouse is no more
Is There Any Need for Apostille or Attestation after that?
Certainly, no. You don’t have to get through this hassle because the embassy delivers it via email or courier once it is attested or apostilled. It is called the process of legalization.
This is a must, as your document won’t be of any value unless it has the stamp of your own country’s civil authority and the immigration department.
Summary:
How long the single status certificate is valid is six months. After that, the entire process of getting this proof from the embassy will take place from scratch. Get your parents and your affidavits ready with birth and address proofs, as they would be must-haves for the issuance of the unmarried certificate.