How Can You Write an Unmarried Certificate/Affidavit?

The very first thing is that you may not be a legal matter expert. So possibly, you won’t have any idea about how to write in the format that it should look legitimate. So, you may take support from the experience and trusted consultants.

Format of the Unmarried Certificate

Although this format is not standard, there are certain points that remain the same and must-haves. As an applicant, you should take into account that there are two affidavits required. The one is from the applicant and the other one should be from the relative/parent of the applicant.

Do remember that this affidavit would be treated as a certificate or authentic proof of your single status or bachelorhood by the foreign affairs ministry or consul of any embassy.

Here are some points, defining its exact format:

A. NRI Applicant for Self

“I, (name of the applicant), s/o or d/o (parents’ name) born on (D.O.B) in (place of birth), am eligible to solemnize marriage with an Indian or other national according to the law. I am unmarried (for single ones)/ and have no dependence from the previous marriage (for divorcee/widowed). ”

B. Parent/ Relative for Child

“We (name of parents), of (age, like 50 years), the married citizens of (country) have been living in (address). We, hereby, state that we are the legal parents of (the applicant’s name) born on (D.O.B) in (address). Sworn by law, we are the witnesses of the fact that he/she (ward/ child) has never been married to any man/woman till today. Or, he/she is divorced now and has no dependence from the previous marriage (for divorcee).”

These are the two formats defined for the applicants. Besides, there are certain points that you must enclose correctly.

1. Date of birth should be there, as it has been asked by the foreign ministry
2. Mention the passport number, as it is worldwide accepted as proof of the person’s citizenship & status
3. Do mention the complete address with the exact location, state name & country
4. The statement of the witnesses in support of the affiant’s claim for this certificate
5. In the end, the issuing authority should authenticate with a closure statement, as

“I confirm that all the above information is true and correct.”

6. The signature of the competent authority at the end of the document

Unmarried Certificate is Single Status Affidavit

The unmarried certificate is a sworn statement, which proves that the bearer is single and free to solemnize marriage with a person living in the native country or abroad. It’s legal proof that is issued upon verifying the concrete proof of one’s single status.

Here, you should note that the divorced one or widowed one can also be considered single or unmarried legally for being alone. The applicant has to prove it through necessary documents. The SDM or the court verifies them before attesting.

Who can help you with the certificate of your unmarried status?

In India, there is no proper setup or authority that is entitled to issue this certificate. It does not mean that you cannot have this certificate. You may apply for it with the court, or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). These are the government agencies that can issue it as an affidavit. That’s why it is known as a single status affidavit, which is an unmarried affidavit/certificate.

Later, the outsourcing agent can help you with its attestation process from the MEA and embassies of India and foreign.

Checklist of Supporting Documents for Verification

Besides all personal proofs, you must remember that the proof of the applicant’s divorce or being widowed should be enclosed if it is there.

• An affidavit stating the applicant is single
• Address proof, like Bank Passbook, rental agreement, voter ID, Aadhar card etc.
• Passport or visa
• Birth proof, like birth certificate, NABC, school certificate
• Parents’ proof, their voter ID, Aadhaar card
• 2 Witnesses’ Affidavits
• Decree Absolute if the applicant is legally divorced
• Death certificate if the applicant’s spouse is no more

Legalisation or Attestation Services

Once issued, the affiant should get it legalized. It is attestation, which is verified by the competent person in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Embassies (native and foreign).

Here, the noteworthy thing is that no applicant can directly get it attested or apostilled from the MEA. The apostille service is for those who are likely to visit and get married in the member country of the Hague Convention. Once apostilled, he or she does not require further attestation. He or she has to hire an NRI consultant like Services2NRI for getting it done. It requires minimal charges as a fee.

NRIs can appoint an attorney to go through the same process on their behalf if their physical presence is not possible. It may add some extra cost and the processing time may be a month-long duration.

Summary

To write an unmarried certificate, one should explore the format or must-have components. These are name, date of birth, address, single status proof, and witnesses’ statement. Once the affidavit is issued by the SDM or the court, it should be attested by the MEA and the embassies of both countries.