Easy Tips for Certificate of Freedom to Marry Apostille
The no marriage or unmarried certificate is mainly concerned with marriage-related processes. Also called bachelorhood and single status certificate, the certificate of freedom to marry is necessary if you want to solemnize marriage in any foreign country. The visa officer will raise a volley of questions related to marriage and singlehood before putting a stamp on an apostille.
What is an apostille?
Apostille is a way of legalizing documents to define their acceptability across the globe. Like other proofs, this document is not an application. It is an affidavit that starts its journey from notarization to apostilling.
Types of Attestation
- Notarization
This is done by the notary public. He issues an affidavit in the form of a single status affidavit. Upon seriously verifying every detail and document, he puts his stamp and authorizes the paper.
- A-Gazette Attestation
This is an alternative of notarization. There may or may not be any local authority to issue it. So, many governments have assigned this authority to an A-Gazette officer. The applicant may directly reach the officer & share personal details. Apply for it with the supporting documents and then, the document will be handed over.
- Ministry of External Affairs Attestation
This is the top-level apostilling wherein the foreign or external affairs ministry looks into signing and stamping the paper. But, there is an exception. Your applications won’t be received directly. Instead, reach the outsourcing agent that should be authorized. It will apply for this service on your behalf.
- Embassy Attestation
This is the last level wherein the applicant has to approach the embassy of the foreign country. This is where he or she has to submit the proof of his or her bachelorhood. A prior appointment is must. Then, reach the office with the document on the scheduled date.
Also called attestation, this process is carried out by the government authorities. The document can be legalized by the foreign affairs ministry, which attests to an apostille and also the single status proof. The only difference between these two types of legalization services is that the latter is required when you are likely to temporarily settle in a country that is one of the members of The Hague Convention countries (101 nations).
Besides, this service is not free. You have to pay a certain amount as a fee to the office. Then, the document can be submitted to the embassy of the foreign.
What documents do you require for its apostille?
Here, we have listed the papers needed for verification:
- Submit an Affidavit, which is also called a single status affidavit. It states that the person is single and has no dependents from the previous marriage.
- Nationality card or PASSPORT is required as the address proof of the applicant.
- Show documents such as birth certificate/schooling certificate as proof of birth.
- Submit the affidavit of your parents or relatives as a witness of your status. Applicant must get a letter from his/her parents stating that “the applicant is single”
- Show the death certificate of the demised partner if there was any.
- Enclose the divorce proof of the former partner if there was any.
What is a Single Status Affidavit, and How is It Used?
An affidavit is a sworn statement. It is a sort of declaration which contains that you are single by matrimonial status. Besides, it shows your date of birth, location, country, and parents’ affidavit as proof. Know more about CENOMAR here, which is its alternative.
The one who issues it is called the deponent. He verifies the affiant’s birth, and address proof before signing the statement. This process is carried out in the presence of two witnesses who can be the ones from a blood relationship. Later on, the applicant may use it during court trials as evidence. Or, it can be used to apply for marriage abroad.
Process of Apostilling the Certificate of Freedom to Marry
Here is the online process or step-by-step guide to legalise your certificate of freedom to marry:
- Visit the embassy website of your own country.
- Get registered with it and then, sign in.
- Download the form, which can be a certificate of bachelorhood, single status, unmarried, nulla osta, or certificate of no impediment, etc..
- Fill up the details and upload it again.
- Fix the appointment with the embassy.
- Get your document attested from the notary public and A-Gazette officer prior.
- Visit the office on the scheduled date.
- Show up the papers in support of your application.
- Once verified, the certificate will be issued with an apostille stamp on the back of the paper.
- Pay the fee for couriers and services.
- Track the status and receive the delivery message on your mobile phone and email address.
Finally, you would receive the document, which states the following details. This document contains the following details:
- Name of the country from which the document was issued.
- Name of the person to whom the document is issued.
- Name of person signing the document.
- Designation of the single person.
- Place of certification date of certification.
- Number of certificates.
- Seal or stamp of authority issuing certificate.
- Signature of authority issuing certificate.
Once done with the processing, receive a receipt after payment. This receipt would have a reference number to check the status of your application later. However, the authority will follow up with an SMS also. If you want to discover if your application is approved, this reference number would be a great help.
Considering the significance and urgent requirement, the authority would deliver it in nearly a fortnight. It happens when you don’t have any flaws in the documentation. Sometimes, erroneous documents may cause delays. So, you may have to wait for a month. Probably, you have to go through the entire process again.
Summary
A certificate of bachelorhood, when apostilled, serves as legal proof that one is unmarried. The embassy and the ministry of external affairs carry out the legalization of the document. They verify and then, apostille the paper to let you apply for marriage abroad.