Unmarried Certificate Attestation in India

For individuals planning to marry abroad, pursue higher education, or apply for certain types of visas, proving one’s marital status is a critical legal requirement. The Single Status Certificate, also known as an Unmarried Certificate or Bachelorhood Certificate India, is a mandatory document required by many countries.

What is an Unmarried Certificate (Singleness Certificate)?

An Unmarried Certificate, also known as a Single Status or Bachelorhood Certificate, is a legal document stating an individual is single and eligible to marry. The Single Status Certificate (SSC) is a legal document that confirms an individual’s unmarried status at the time of application. It is required by many countries to prevent fraudulent or bigamous marriages. The certificate essentially confirms your marital status as single, divorced, or widowed. A single status certificate is the official government-issued proof of that declaration. Therefore, this document is referred to by several names:

  • Unmarried Certificate
  • Singleness Certificate
  • Certificate of No Impediment
  • Bachelorhood Certificate
  • Single Status Certificate

A typical SSC includes the applicant’s name, address, identification details, a clear statement affirming their unmarried status, the date and location of issue, and the official seal and signature of the issuing authority.

Why Do You Need an Unmarried Certificate?

You might need this certificate for several reasons, including:

  • Marriage Abroad: This is the most common reason. Most countries require foreign nationals to provide an apostilled or attested Single Status Certificate to legally register a marriage with one of their citizens. Most countries require this document to register a marriage and prevent bigamy.
  • Visa Applications: Certain types of visas, like fiancée, dependent, or spousal visas, may require this document as proof of your marital status.
  • Employment: Some international job roles or overseas contracts may ask for proof of marital status.
  • Adoption Proceedings: In some adoption cases, an SSC may be required to verify an individual’s eligibility as a single parent.
  • Government Schemes: In India, specific welfare schemes require declaration of unmarried status. A prominent example is the Kanyashree Prakalpa in West Bengal.

Our Services

To obtain a Bachelorhood / Single-Status / Eligibility-to-Marry Certificate, follow these steps:

  1. Affidavit from SDM/Court:
    Apply to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or a competent court with jurisdiction over your place of residence. They will issue a notarized affidavit or certificate stating your single status.
  2. State Home Department Attestation:
    Get the affidavit counter-attested by the Home Department of your respective state.
  3. MEA Apostille or Attestation:
    Submit the document to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi, for apostille or attestation through one of their outsourced service providers.

For application details and authorized agencies, visit:
👉 http://mea.gov.in/apostille.htm

How to Apply for an Unmarried Certificate: Online & Offline

The procedure to get an unmarried certificate varies between online and offline methods and can differ by state.

Online Application: The Convenient Method

The unmarried certificate online apply process is the most convenient and efficient method for Indian citizens to obtain their single status certificate without visiting government offices in person. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how you can apply:

🔹 Step-by-Step Process to Apply Online

  1. Visit the State Portal: Log on to the official state e-governance service platform. Below are direct links for major states:
  2. Register/Login: Create a new user account or sign in using your existing credentials on the portal.
  3. Fill the Application Form: Search for the “Unmarried Certificate” or “Single Status Certificate” service and fill out the application form carefully with accurate details.
  4. Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload necessary documents such as identity proof, address proof, affidavit of single status, and passport-size photograph.
  5. Make Payment: Pay the application fee securely through the online payment gateway provided by the portal.
  6. Track Your Application: Once submitted, you will receive an application/reference number which you can use for unmarried certificate status check online.
  7. Download Certificate: After approval, your certificate will be available for unmarried certificate PDF download from the portal.


Offline Application: The Traditional Method

If you prefer the offline route, here is the detailed procedure:

🔹 Step-by-Step Process to Apply Offline

  1. Obtain the Application Form: Get the form from the office of the District Magistrate (DM), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar, or your local Gram Panchayat.
  2. Prepare the Affidavit: On a ₹20 stamp paper, write or print the self-declaration affidavit stating you are unmarried. Get this document notarized by a Notary Public.
  3. Complete the Form: Fill out the application form and attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents.
  4. Submission: Submit the complete set of documents to the Tahsildar/VAO office or the relevant authority along with the requisite fee. You will receive an acknowledgement receipt.

🔹 Verification Process

  1. Police Inquiry: In many cases, a police inquiry will be conducted to verify your address and marital status. This can take up to 30 days.
  2. Witnesses: Be prepared to have at least two witnesses (e.g., neighbors) available who can confirm your status to the verification officer.
  3. Final Processing: After the police verification is complete, the report is sent back to the Tahsildar/VAO office for final processing.
  4. Issuance: Once approved, the single status certificate will be issued to you.


Process for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

  1. Issuance in India: The affidavit must be made and attested by the SDM/Court in your jurisdiction of permanent residence in India.
  2. Role of Indian Missions: Indian missions abroad do not issue this certificate. As stated by missions like the Consulate General of India, Munich, their role is limited to administering an oath for an affidavit, which must then be sent to India for the full attestation process.
  3. Requirement of a Representative: Since the process requires physical submission at various government offices in India, NRIs typically need to grant a Power of Attorney to a family member, friend, or a registered service agency in India to complete the process on their behalf.
  4. End-to-End Assistance: We prepare affidavits, secure State Home counter-attestation, submit via MEA-empanelled channels, manage Embassy/MoFA steps, and courier documents.


Unmarried Certificate Attestation and Apostille for International Use

Once you have the single status certificate, it’s just a domestic document. To make it legally valid in another country, it must go through a process of Attestation or Apostille.

🔹 The Step-by-Step Apostille Process

  1. Notarization: First, the original Unmarried Certificate, along with your supporting affidavit, must be notarized by a local Notary Public.
  2. Home Department or SDM Attestation: The notarized document is then submitted to a state-level authority for verification. You generally have two options:
    • State Home Department Attestation: This is a more thorough verification but can take several weeks. Some countries specifically require this.
    • Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Attestation: This is a much faster alternative, often completed in a few days, and is widely accepted for the MEA apostille process.
  3. MEA Apostille: After state-level attestation, the document is sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. The MEA applies the final apostille sticker, which contains a unique identification number and is recognized internationally.
  4. For non-Hague Countries: After the MEA attestation (not apostille), the document must be submitted to the embassy of the destination country in India for their final attestation.

Documents Required to Apply for an Unmarried Certificate

While the exact list can vary slightly by state, here are the commonly required documents for the initial application:

  1. Application Form: The duly filled and signed application form.
  2. Proof of Identity: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID Card, or Driving License.
  3. Proof of Address: Aadhaar Card, Utility Bill (electricity, water), Ration Card, or Bank Passbook.
  4. Proof of Age: Birth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, or Class 10 Marksheet.
  5. Passport-sized Photographs: Usually two recent photographs.
  6. Affidavit/Self-Declaration: A notarized affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper (e.g., ₹10 or ₹20) where you declare you are currently unmarried.
  7. Parent’s Documents: ID proof of parents (Aadhaar Card, etc.).
  8. Witness Statement: A statement or ID proof from a witness (like a parent or a gazetted officer) who can verify your status.

🔹 Additional Documents (if applicable)

  1. Divorcees: A certified copy of the divorce decree.
  2. Widows/Widowers: The death certificate of the deceased spouse.

In Tamil Nadu, you can apply for the Unmarried Certificate through the TNeGA (Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency) portal or by visiting a Common Service Center (CSC), also known as an e-Sevai Maiyam.

🔹 Online Application Process (via TNeGA Portal)

  1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official Tamil Nadu e-District portal: https://tnedistrict.tn.gov.in/.
  2. Citizen Login: If you are a new user, you will need to register for a Citizen CAN (Citizen Access Number) by providing basic details. If you already have an account, log in.
  3. Select Service: Navigate to the list of services and find “Unmarried Certificate” under the Revenue Department services.
  4. Fill the Form: The online application form will appear. Fill in all the required details accurately.
  5. Upload Documents: You will need to upload scanned copies of the required documents.
  6. Pay the Fee: Pay the prescribed service fee online through the available payment gateway.
  7. Get Acknowledgement: After successful submission, you will receive an application number, which you can use to track the status of your application.

🔹 Offline Application (via e-Sevai Maiyam)

  1. Visit a Center: Locate your nearest e-Sevai Maiyam.
  2. Request Form: Ask the operator for the Unmarried Certificate application form.
  3. Provide Documents: Submit all the required original documents and photocopies to the operator.
  4. Pay Fee: Pay the service fee. The operator will fill out the form online on your behalf and give you an acknowledgement receipt with an application number.

🔹 Documents Required in Tamil Nadu

  1. Photo: Applicant’s recent passport-size photograph.
  2. Address Proof: Any valid address proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, etc.).
  3. Age Proof: Birth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, or any other document verifying your date of birth.
  4. Self-Declaration: A signed declaration form stating your unmarried status (the format is usually provided at the e-Sevai center or on the portal).
  5. Other Documents: In some cases, a declaration from parents or additional proof may be requested.

🔹 Downloading the Certificate and Checking Status

Once your application is processed and approved by the Tahsildar or the relevant authority, you will receive an SMS notification. You can then log back into the TNeGA portal or revisit the e-Sevai center, use your application number to find your approved certificate, and download the digitally signed PDF.


Countries That Require a Single Status Certificate for Marriage Abroad

Indian citizens are required to provide a Single Status Certificate (also called Bachelorhood Certificate or Certificate of No Impediment) when marrying abroad in several countries. The main countries include:

  1. Austria: Requires a Bachelorhood/Single-Status Certificate.
  2. Italy: Requires a Nulla Osta (No Impediment Certificate), translated and apostilled.
  3. Thailand: Requires a Letter of Affirmation from the Indian Embassy, based on a Bachelorhood Affidavit.
  4. United Arab Emirates (UAE): Requires a Single-Status Certificate or affidavit attested by Indian authorities.
  5. Other Gulf & Asian Nations: Such as Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia often require an attested Single-Status Certificate for marriage registration.

Note: Always confirm requirements with the local marriage registrar or embassy, as rules may change by country.

GloboPrime Attestation Services India has been assisting clients with certificate attestation for more than 12+ years. Our team focuses on providing authentic and timely support for all HRD and Apostille procedures.

If you need urgent help, we can arrange direct Apostille attestation in Delhi in as little as four days.

For guidance or to begin your application, you can reach out to us anytime.

For any queries or to avail our Apostille Services For Germany, please reach out to us: Email: info@globoprime.com Phone: +91 9962650280

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