American Samoa - Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

Apply In Person

1. To apply for Single Status Certificate, the applicant has to approach the Secretary of American Samoa – link
2. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
3. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
4. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
6. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
7. The applicant has to pay the fee as per the authority’s request.
8. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. #If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
9. Then the application will be processed further. All the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS.
10. Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
11. For further details for completing the procedure, the applicant follows the instruction given by the officer.
12. This entire process can be completed within 20 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Apply In Person (outside the country person)

1. To apply for Single Status Certificate, the applicant has to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Link
2. The applicant has to visit the office with the request letter.
3. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
4. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
5. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
6. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
7. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
8. The applicant has to pay the fee as per the authority’s request.
9. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. #If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
10. Then the application will be processed further. All the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS.
11. Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
12. For further details for completing the procedure, the applicant follows the instruction given by the officer.
13. This entire process can be completed within 20 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

• Birth Certificate
• Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate (if necessary)
• Proof of identity: Copy of (Registration card, Passport or National identity card).

Office Locations & Contacts

American Samoa Government
Department of Homeland Security
Office of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 6894
Pago Pago, AS 96799
(684) 633-1405
Office of Vital Statistics (OVS)
Embassies and Consulates

Eligibility

This document will most likely be required as a supporting document if you are getting married in a foreign country.

This document can also be required for employment in a foreign country.

A Single Status Affidavit also referred to as a No Marriage Affidavit, Certificate of Freedom to Marry or Certificate of No Impediment, is a sworn statement saying that you are eligible to marry.

Overseas marriage authorities often require further evidence that the party is free to marry. Such evidence may be a statement from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that there is no record of the person having been previously married or a 'Single Status Certificate' or 'No Records Result'.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Please be aware that the Single Status Certificate will not be accepted by some foreign countries marriage authorities that are more than three months old.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

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Instructions

It is advisable to follow the guidelines that certain authorities deem necessary. Those wishing to marry overseas will need special documentation. First, couples will have to present a declaration that is processed by your local office where marriage documents are produced. This must be from the state where you live in the American Samoa. On this statement will be recorded the fact that there has not be any marriage in recent years.

Due to the fact that these types of documents are sought for foreign involvement one will need the local or state registrar�s account or declaration to be authenticated to work abroad.

Required Information

• Name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Address
• Citizenship
• Gender

Need for the Document

Many names for this type of document can be found: Certificate of No Impediment, Single Statement, No Marital Status Certificate or Negative Statement of Marriage. However, it is a government document that provides information saying that a search has been conducted and no record of marriage has surfaced. This is a peculiar document in the fact that the process is not necessarily undertaken statewide; moreover, this kind of article is limited in terms of its jurisdiction.

Information which might help

If you are planning on marrying in a foreign country then sometimes a certificate is fundamental. It will be necessary to plan ahead and find out if the country you are intending to marry in is a signatory country of the Hague Convention of 1961.

Countries that recognize the Hague Convention of 1961 will be using a system of documentation that can afford the individual an easier paperwork process. In these countries to use the documents in question your certificate will need to be Apostilled.

However, if the country that you are getting married in is not then other means will be essential. For example, the process of authentication Certificate of No Record of Marriage in a non-Hague Convention country is done on at least three different levels. Unfortunately this is a longer process.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

You may require a Single Status certificate if you intend to be married overseas or if you are returning to your country of residence to be married. It certifies if you have been married in American Samoa during a specified period.

External Links

American Samoa Department of Homeland Security

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Government Ministries

American Samoa Government

Others

Overseas marriage authorities often require evidence a party to the marriage is free to marry. Such evidence may be a Result of Marriage Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident wishing to marry overseas, the foreign government may request that you have a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) issued. DFAT in Australia can issue a CNI, however many foreign governments will only accept CNIs issued by the Australian mission (embassy or consulate) within their country. If you are getting married overseas you will need to confirm with the foreign government:

• Whether or not the CNI is required;
• Where it should be issued (i.e. in Australia or through an Australian mission overseas);
• If it needs any additional legalization (authentication or apostille) and
• If you require a 'Single Status Certificate' or 'No Record Result' (please note, these are not issued by DFAT, they are issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state or territory).