How to Get an Unmarried Certificate While Being Abroad?

In 2018, the Ministry of External Affairs received 6,24,344 passport applications where the applicant had declared themselves to be unmarried, as per the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

Why it happened? Here are the reasons.

Unmarried Certificate is an official document, which certifies that an individual is single, however, may be a divorcee or widowed. The Unmarried Certificate is a vital document that is required for various purposes, such as obtaining a passport, applying for a visa, and registering for marriage.

Here are the reasons in brief:

  • An Unmarried Certificate is a legal document that certifies that an individual is not currently married or in a civil union. This certificate may be required for various reasons such as:
  • Passport Application: In some countries, this certificate is required when applying for a passport to establish the applicant’s marital status.
  • Marriage Registration: This single status proof may be required by individuals who are planning to get married, as proof of their unmarried status.
  • Visa Application: Some countries require it as part of the visa application process, particularly for applicants who are planning to visit the country for the purpose of marriage.
  • Inheritance: There are some cases wherein this legal document may be required as proof of the deceased person’s unmarried status, in order to establish their rightful heirs for inheritance.
  • Employment: In some cases, bachelorhood proof may be required by employers as part of their hiring process, particularly if the job requires an individual to travel overseas.

In essence, an unmarried certificate is an important legal document that can be required for various purposes to establish an individual’s marital status.

Because of these reasons, the declaration of unmarried status was required for obtaining a fiancé(e) visa for a foreign national in the US. As per the statistics released by the US Department of State, in the fiscal year 2020, a total of 30,165 K-1 fiancé(e) visas were issued. 

This statistic clearly defines how significant this certificate is for the aforementioned reasons.  So, this post is going to help all those who want to know AtoZ about this document for any of those purposes, especially for marriage abroad. 

Let’s start with the documentation requirements. 

  • Document Requirements

The requirements for obtaining an Unmarried Certificate may vary across different countries. However, the following are some common documents that are required for obtaining an Unmarried Certificate in most countries:

  • Application form: The applicant needs to fill in the application form with accurate information, such as name, address, marital status, parents’ details, etc.
  • Identification documents: The applicant needs to provide identification documents such as a passport, driving license, or national ID card.
  • Age proof: Providing a document that proves their age, such as a birth certificate or a school leaving certificate, is a necessity.
  • Address proof: The applicant should be ready with a document that proves their address, such as a utility bill or a bank statement.
  • Affidavit: It is necessary in a few cases, wherein the applicant declares that he or she is unmarried.
  • Passport-size photographs: The applicant will have to provide passport-size photographs to the attestation authority, which can be an A-gazette officer.
  • Any other documents required by the concerned authorities: Depending on the country, the applicant may need to provide additional documents as required by the concerned authorities.
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It is vital to take into account that the requirements for obtaining the declaration of no marriage certificate may vary depending on the country and the purpose for which the certificate is required. It is advisable to check with the concerned authorities or the embassy/consulate of the country where the certificate is required to obtain the specific requirements for obtaining this legally accepted certificate in that country.

Now, let’s move to understanding its attestation process.

  • How to Get It Attested?

The process of attesting a Declaration of No Marriage or Unmarried Certificate may vary depending on the country where the certificate is required. However, the following are some common steps that may be involved in the attestation process:

  • Notarization: The Declaration of No Marriage or Unmarried Certificate may need to be notarized by a Notary Public in the country where the certificate was issued.
  • Authentication: After notarization, the Unmarried proof or affidavit may be authenticated by the concerned authorities such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country.
  • Legalization: After authentication, the embassy or consulate of the country where the certificate is required will legalize it.
  • Translation/Transcription: If the certificate is in a language other than the language of the country where it is required, it may need to be translated into the required language and attested by a certified translator.
  • The applicant should always be aware of the fact that the attestation process may vary depending on the country where the certificate is required. The best piece of advice is to check with the concerned authorities or the embassy/consulate of the country where the certificate is required to obtain the specific requirements for attesting this bachelorhood proof in that country.

In some cases, the concerned authorities may also require aforesaid supporting documents such as a copy of the applicant’s passport, proof of address, or other supporting documents. So, the applicant should be ready with all the required documents and follow the attestation process carefully to ensure that the certificate is attested correctly and is accepted by the concerned authorities.

  • How to apply process from an embassy while being abroad? 

The process of applying for an Unmarried Certificate may vary depending on the country where the certificate is required. However, the following are some common steps that may be involved in the application process:

  • Gather the required documents: Collect all the necessary documents such as identification documents, age proof, address proof, affidavit, passport size photographs, and any other documents required by the concerned authorities.
  • Fill out the application form: Fill out the application form accurately and carefully, providing all the required information.
  • Submit the application: Submit the application along with the necessary documents to the concerned authorities such as the local government authority, registrar office, or court as applicable.
  • Pay the fee: Pay the fee for processing the application as applicable.
  • Wait for processing: Wait for the processing of the application. The processing time may vary depending on the country where the certificate is required.
  • Collect the Unmarried Certificate: Collect the Unmarried Certificate from the concerned authorities once it is ready.
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It is noteworthy that the application process may vary depending on the country where the certificate is required. It is advisable to check with the concerned authorities or the embassy/consulate of the country where the certificate is required to obtain the specific requirements for applying for an Unmarried Certificate in that country.

How to Get it From Embassies?

Embassies and consulates can assist individuals in obtaining this certificate from the country where they reside or where they were born. The specific services provided by the embassy or consulate may vary depending on the country, but the following are some of the ways in which they may be able to assist:

  • Providing information: Embassies and consulates can provide information on the requirements for obtaining the application form for an Unmarried Certificate in the country, including the necessary supporting documents, application procedures, and processing time.
  • Issuing the certificate: In some cases, embassies and consulates may be authorized to issue an Unmarried Certificate to their citizens or nationals residing abroad.
  • Attesting the certificate: Embassies and consulates can attest or legalize it issued by the authorities in the country, which can help in its acceptance by the authorities in the country where the certificate is required.
  • Facilitating communication: Embassies and consulates can help in facilitating communication between the applicant and the authorities in the country, particularly if there are language barriers or other difficulties in obtaining the certificate.

It is important to note that the specific services provided by embassies and consulates may vary depending on the country and the specific circumstances. It is advisable to check with the embassy or consulate of the country where the Unmarried Certificate is required to obtain information on the services they provide and the requirements for obtaining the certificate.

  • Processing Time

The processing time for an Unmarried Certificate varies from state to state and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In general, the processing time for an Unmarried Certificate can be around 7-10 working days.

In essence, obtaining an Unmarried Certificate in India is a relatively straightforward process. The applicant needs to provide accurate information and the necessary documents to obtain the certificate. The certificate can be used for various purposes, and if required, it can be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or the concerned embassy or consulate. The processing time for the certificate is typically around 7-10 working days.

Summary 

An Unmarried Certificate is a legal document that certifies an individual’s unmarried status. It may be required for various purposes, such as passport application, marriage registration, visa application, inheritance, and employment. The requirements for obtaining an Unmarried Certificate may vary depending on the country, and embassies or consulates can assist in obtaining the certificate or attesting to its authenticity.

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