Why Do You Need an Unmarried Certificate and How to Apply for It? | Your Door Step

What Is an Unmarried Certificate and Why Is It Important?

An unmarried certificate, also known as a bachelorhood certificate or single status certificate, is a legal document that declares an individual has never been married. It’s issued by a competent authority (such as a notary, SDM, or municipal officer) and is often required for international legal and civil procedures. 

While it’s not commonly used in day-to-day life in India, this certificate becomes essential when a person plans to marry abroad, apply for permanent residency, or undertake certain legal or immigration processes.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, UAE, and many European nations require proof of single status to ensure that a foreign national is legally free to marry. For Indian citizens, this means obtaining a legally valid unmarried certificate that confirms there are no existing marriage records associated with them in the Indian civil registry.

At Your Door Step, we simplify the process of applying for and obtaining an unmarried certificate, providing expert assistance whether you need the document for visa purposes, NOC for international marriage, or embassy clearance.

When and Why Is an Unmarried Certificate Needed?

While it might seem unnecessary to declare you’re not married, the legal and administrative requirements in many countries make it mandatory to provide documented proof. Here are the common scenarios where this certificate is needed:

• Marriage with a foreign national
  
• Visa or PR application where marital status verification is required
  
• Immigration interviews and family sponsorship cases
  
• Joining military, defense, or religious services in certain countries
  
• Government job applications (in rare instances)
  
• Buying or inheriting property where unmarried status is a factor
  

Without this certificate, your application or legal process may be delayed, rejected, or considered incomplete by foreign authorities.

Also Read: Single Status Certificate in Assam

What Information Is Included in an Unmarried Certificate?

A valid unmarried certificate typically contains the following information:

• Applicant’s full name and date of birth
  
• Parentage (father’s and mother’s name)
  
• Nationality and address
  
• Declaration that the applicant has never been married as per Indian records
  
• Date of issuance and attestation
  
• Signature and stamp of the notary, SDM, or magistrate
  
• Passport-size photograph (optional, required in some countries)
  

Some countries may require the certificate to be printed on government letterhead, while others accept an affidavit signed by a notary. We help determine the correct format based on your destination country’s legal requirements.

Also Read: Unmarried Certificate in Assam

Documents Required to Apply for an Unmarried Certificate

To apply for an unmarried certificate in India, you will need the following:

• Affidavit stating your unmarried status, signed and notarized
  
• Aadhaar card or valid government-issued ID
  
• Birth certificate or 10th-grade certificate for age proof
  
• Passport copy (especially for international use)
  
• Residential proof (utility bill, rent agreement, etc.)
  
• Passport-size photographs
  
• Application form or declaration letter addressed to the concerned authority
  

In some cases, authorities may request:

• A self-declaration letter confirming you are unmarried
  
• A letter from your parents confirming your marital status
  
• NOC from the local panchayat or ward office (in rural areas)
  

At Your Door Step, we help organize and verify your documents to ensure nothing is missing or invalid.

Also Read: Single Status Certificate in Maharashtra

Step-by-Step Process to Get an Unmarried Certificate

Step 1: Draft an Affidavit for Unmarried Status

The first and most important step is drafting a legally valid affidavit. This document should declare:

• Your full name, age, address, and nationality
  
• That you have never been married under civil, religious, or customary law
  
• That the declaration is true to the best of your knowledge and is being made for legal purposes
  

We provide pre-approved affidavit templates and offer online drafting services with 100% legal accuracy.

Step 2: Notarization or SDM Attestation

Once the affidavit is ready, it must be notarized or attested by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or a First Class Magistrate. The level of attestation depends on where and how the certificate will be used:

• For use within India: Notarization by a public notary is usually sufficient
  
• For use outside India: Attestation by SDM, Home Department, and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) may be required
  

We help guide you through each level of attestation and get the correct endorsements based on your requirements.

Step 3: State Home Department Attestation (if needed)

If the document is to be used internationally, you’ll need to get it attested by the State Home Department of your respective state. This confirms the authenticity of the notary or SDM signature.

Step 4: MEA Attestation or Apostille

For international purposes, the unmarried certificate often needs further attestation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, then an apostille sticker from MEA will suffice. If not, the certificate must be attested by the concerned foreign embassy or consulate.

We offer both MEA apostille and embassy attestation services, saving you from the hassle of dealing with government offices.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timeline varies based on the level of attestation required:

• Basic notarized certificate: 1–2 working days
  
• SDM attestation: 3–5 working days
  
• Full attestation with MEA and Embassy: 7–15 working days
  

Your Door Step ensures that all steps are handled professionally and on time, without delays or rejections.

Also Read: A Complete Guide on How to Get an Unmarried Certificate in Maharashtra

Who Can Apply for an Unmarried Certificate?

• Any Indian citizen over the age of 18 who has never been legally married
  
• Both men and women are eligible
  
• NRIs can also apply if their birth or residence is registered in India
  
• Divorced individuals cannot apply for an unmarried certificate, but may apply for a single status certificate with divorce proof
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a self-declared affidavit enough?

For many Indian uses, yes. But for international use, most embassies require attestation from an SDM or higher authority. We help determine what’s acceptable based on your case.

Can a married person get this certificate?

No. This certificate is strictly for individuals who have never been married. Divorced or widowed individuals must declare their status accordingly in different formats.

Is the certificate valid permanently?

Generally, it remains valid unless specifically stated otherwise. Some foreign authorities require the certificate to be issued within the last 3 or 6 months.

Can NRIs apply from abroad?

Yes. We assist NRIs through online document submission, remote affidavit drafting, and courier delivery of the final documents.

Why Choose Your Door Step?

At Your Door Step, we offer end-to-end document services with:

• Legally accurate affidavit drafting
  
• State-specific formats and multilingual support
  
• Assistance with SDM, Home Department, and MEA attestations
  
• Embassy or consular support for global marriage applications
  
• Doorstep pickup and delivery in major cities
  
• Support for urgent applications
  

Our expertise helps reduce legal risks, avoids common rejections, and ensures smooth processing, no matter where the certificate is to be submitted.