If you are an Indian citizen or NRI planning to marry outside India, you will soon encounter a document known by many names: Single Status Certificate, Bachelorhood Certificate, Affidavit of Marital Status, or Certificate of No Impediment. It serves the same purpose everywhere – proving you are not already married.
Most countries ask a foreign bride or groom to show proof that they are legally free to marry. In nations with a central civil registry, the government can simply check its own records. India does not have such a database, so the proof comes in the form of a sworn affidavit.
The certificate is most often needed when you are getting married abroad, applying for a spouse or fiancé visa, or registering an overseas marriage at an Indian embassy or consulate. It is also used for remarriage after divorce or widowhood, for adoption processes, and sometimes for property or succession matters in other countries.
The affidavit lists your full name, parents’ names, date of birth, current address, and passport details. It states whether you are unmarried, divorced, or widowed and attaches supporting documents such as a divorce decree or death certificate if applicable. The document must also mention the country and purpose for which it is being issued.
Once signed, the affidavit goes through several steps. First, a notary public confirms your signature. Next, the state government’s SDM office attests the notarised copy. After that, the Ministry of External Affairs apostilles the document, and in some cases, an embassy may add additional legalisation. Each step must be completed before the next one will accept the file.
The process is simple in theory but can take weeks because of queues and paperwork. Starting early is essential. Also, the list of countries that accept an apostilled affidavit can change – for example, Thailand joined the Hague Convention in 2025, altering its requirements.
Different countries have different expectations. Some will accept a notarised affidavit that is apostilled, while others may want a certificate issued by a local revenue office or an extra declaration from your parents. The required age of the document can also vary; many registrars do not accept certificates older than three to six months.
Beware of agents who claim you must travel to India to get the certificate processed. In most cases, the entire chain – drafting, notarising, attesting, and apostilling – can be done without your presence in India if you start the process at an Indian consulate abroad. If someone insists you must be in India, verify their claim with a registered professional.
Before you begin, check the exact requirements with the destination country’s registrar or consulate. Use a verified professional instead of an unsolicited agent to avoid unnecessary delays and extra fees. Knowing the correct wording, attestation chain, and validity window will save you time and money when you are ready to tie the knot abroad.