A Single Status Certificate, also called an Unmarried or Bachelor Certificate, is a legal affidavit that confirms a person is not married and is free to marry. It is mainly required for international purposes, especially when an Indian citizen plans to marry abroad or apply for a spouse or fiancé visa through professional attestation services in India.
This certificate is a self-declared affidavit, notarized by an authorized notary. It is not directly issued by a central government department but becomes legally valid after notarization and, when required, further legalization.
It confirms that:
The applicant is unmarried, divorced (legally finalized), or widowed
There is no legal restriction on marriage
The declaration is made under oath
You may require a Single Status Certificate if you are:
Planning to marry outside India
Applying for a spouse or fiancé visa
Registering a foreign marriage
Applying for family or dependent visas
Handling legal or immigration formalities abroad
For countries that are members of the Hague Convention, the document must undergo Single Status Certificate Apostille in India before submission.
Applicants generally need:
Identity proof (passport, Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
Address proof
Date of birth proof
Passport-size photographs
A notarized unmarried status affidavit
Divorced or widowed applicants must provide supporting legal documents such as a divorce decree or death certificate.
The process usually includes:
Preparing an unmarried status affidavit on stamp paper
Getting it notarized
Submitting the application through a state e-governance portal or local SDM office
Collecting the issued certificate
Completing the required legalization process
The standard processing time is 7–15 working days.
For domestic use, the certificate has no expiry.
For international use, authorities generally accept it for 3–6 months, depending on the country.
A Single Status Certificate is a crucial document for international marriage and visa processes. Applying early and ensuring accuracy helps avoid delays or rejection abroad. To learn more about documentation support and legalization services, visit PEC Attestation Services.