Unmarried Certificate Status India
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a legal certification that validates a document for use in any of the Hague Nations. It involves obtaining a stamp and signature from relevant authorities, ensuring the authenticity and credibility of the information contained in a single status certificate. The concept of Apostille was established in the Hague Convention of 1961, with the aim of simplifying the acceptance of documents across different countries.
Generally, there are three three attestation authorities as Notary, State, and MEA. For the countries that are not a part of the Hague Nations, there is an additional step of Embassy Attestation. The attestation is needed for many documents and one of them is a unmarried certificate status. So, let’s discuss what exactly is a single status certificate and why it is necessary for an individual to get an apostille stamp on this document.
Explain Single Status Affidavit in simple words.
A unmarried certificate status serves as proof that an individual is unmarried. It is attested by the applicant’s home country so that it can be used in foreign countries. This affidavit confirms the applicant’s single status, whether they are unmarried, divorced, or widowed. It is often required for various purposes, such as marrying a foreigner or obtaining an employment visa.
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What documents are required for unmarried certificate status
To obtain a unmarried certificate status, several essential documents are needed:
- Bachelorhood Affidavit or Single Status Certificate (Original)
- Birth Certificate or School Certificate for verifying the applicant’s birth date
- Passport copy (front and back) as proof of address
- Death Certificate (if applicable, for widowed individuals)
- Letter from Parents confirming the applicant’s single status (along with photocopies of parents’ Aadhar cards)
- Divorce Documents (Original, if applicable)
For how much time is a unmarried certificate status valid?
Generally, most affidavits have a validity of six months. However, some countries may accept affidavits that are more than six months old or up to a year old. It is advisable to consult the apostille service provider regarding the specific country’s requirements and the validity of the Single Status Affidavit.
Why does a person have to get a single status apostille done?
There are many reasons to get the single status apostille done. These are:
- A person who wants to marry someone abroad.
- An individual who wishes to remarry after the death of the spouse. For this, a single status certificate, as well as the death certificate of a spouse, is needed.
- For a person, who is divorced. To get married abroad a person needs to have a single-status certificate. Moreover, a divorce certificate is also required.
- There are a few companies that ask for a single status certificate. So, to get an employment visa an applicant needs a unmarried certificate status apostille.
What procedure is followed for Single Status Certificate apostille?
The procedure for obtaining a Single Status Affidavit in India is not difficult but a bit lengthy and also it needs expertise as there are several authorities involved. So let’s see the steps that are to be performed to get an apostille stamp on a single status certificate:
- Notary Attestation: The document is first verified by a notary who ensures the accuracy of the information provided regarding the applicant’s single status. After the verification, a stamp and signature are placed on the document.
- State/Sub Divisional Magistrate Attestation: The document is then attested either by the State or Sub Divisional Magistrate. This step involves a thorough review of the documents to verify their authenticity. After examining all the details that are mentioned in a document. The authority will place a signature and stamp on the document.
- Ministry of External Affairs: The Ministry of External Affairs provides the final attestation by placing a stamp on the document. If the document is not intended for a Hague nation, it may require additional embassy attestation. The MEA will place an apostille stamp on the back of the document. With this stamp, the foreign country comes to know that the details are correct.
- Embassy Attestation: If necessary, the document is submitted to the embassy for further verification and attestation. This step is done if the country has mentioned it or is not a part of the Hague Convention. Here, a specified fee is also submitted along with the documents.
Which is better SDM or State Attestation?
When deciding between SDM and State Attestation, consider the following:
- SDM: Opt for SDM attestation if the target country is a member of the Hague Convention. This process is relatively simpler and quicker. The SDM attestation takes only 3 to 5 days.
- State Attestation: Choose State Attestation if the country has specifically asked for it. However, this process is usually taking around 3-4 weeks to complete.
Are there any other names for a single status certificate?
Yes, there are many other names that are used for the unmarried certificate status. Let’s have a look at a few of them:
few other names of the single status certificate
The few other names for a unmarried certificate status are:
- Certificate of Freedom to Marry
- Certificate of Nulla Osta.
- Single Status Statutory Declaration.
- Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage.
- Single Status Certificate.
- Certificate of No Impediment.
- Affidavit of Free Status.
- Certificate de Coutume.
What are the charges that are associated with the single status certificate?
The cost of obtaining a Single Status Affidavit depends on various factors, including the number and type of documents being attested. Additionally, the fees charged by the apostille service provider and the embassy should be taken into account. It is important to prioritize the authenticity and reliability of the service provider over choosing a cheaper option to avoid potential risks and delays. Register for Apostille to know more about the charges.
What factors to consider while selecting an apostille service for a single status certificate apostille?
When choosing an apostille service, consider factors such as cost, but avoid compromising on quality. Cheap service providers may pose risks to your original documents and cause delays. It is advisable to select a reputable service provider who can offer reliable and efficient services within the specified timeframe. Research the background and reputation of the apostille service provider.
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Frequently asked questions
Apostille or Attestation on Educational Documents by Ministry of External Affairs in India Can be done by Submitting the original Documents or True Copies of Original Documents Issued from the relevant School Boards / Universities.
Steps to get Apostille on your Educational Documents:
- Register for Apostille
- Submit the documents with us.
- Pay for the Apostille
- Receive documents after Apostille to your Address.
Apostille Attestation is Legalization of your documents from Ministry of External Affairs in India. Apostille can be given for the documents issued in India by any authority or issued by any Indian authorities outside the country like Embassy / Consulate. Apostille from MEA can be used in any particular country apart from India.
Check out this article more details on what is apostille .
Apostille and Attestation are similar words. But Apostille will be given from the Ministry of External Affairs in India. Attestation has a broader meaning. Attestation from MEA is called Apostille. Attestation can be given by State Government or Embassy.
For Educational documents attestation from state government is called HRD attestation.
For Non Educational documents such as Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Affidavits state attestation is called home department attestation.
Attestation for any documents from Indian Embassy is called Embassy Attestation.
Read here for further details on how to get apostille.
Ministry of External Affairs Attestation ( Apostille ) can be done in 2 ways.
- State Authentication / Attestation,
- Sub Divisional Magistrate ( SDM ) Attestation / Authentication.
State Attestation Process takes longer time compared to SDM attestation. It’s better to do SDM Apostille since it is fast.
If you are travelling to Italy or Austria, then state attestation is required. For all the other Hague nations SDM Apostille is enough, legal, valid and accepted.
Procedure to get Apostille on your Documents:
- Register for Apostille
- Submit the documents with us.
- Pay for the Apostille
- Receive documents after Apostille to your Address.