Antigua and Barbuda - Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

Apply In Person

1. To apply for Single Status Certificate, the applicant has to approach the High Commissions & Consular Offices – 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. The applicant will get the certificate through mail.
11. Many urgent requests are handled via courier services such as Fed Ex, DHL or LIAT Quick Take for Caribbean requests.
12. This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.
    

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Required Documents

• Valid passport, test passport or birth certificate
• Valid ID picture (drivers license or state issued ID)
• Single a declaration is signed within Antigua and Barbuda or letter stating status by some person well known in the community.
• Divorced Original Decree Absolute which includes the seal of the court where the Decree is issued or certified copy of Decree which includes the seal of the court where the Decree is issued.
• Widow or Widower Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate of husband or wife.
• Deed Poll (if a change of name has taken place in any case of an applicant)

Office Locations & Contacts

High Court of Justice, Civil Registry
Registrars Division
P.O. Box 163
Tel: 462?3744/0609
Fax: 462?3929
Email: [email protected]
Ministry Of Legal Affairs
High Commissions & Consular Offices

Eligibility

Through a sworn affidavit the applicant confirms that they are who they claim to be. The Single Status Letter or Affidavit says that they are able and free to marry among other things. Bear in mind that one fact about the Single Status Affidavit is that it is not a government document; rather, it is a letter from the affiant signed in front of a notary public. An interesting fact about this type of document is that there are many names given for it. For example look at this list: "Single Status Statutory Declaration" or a "Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" or a "Single Status Certificate" or "Free-to-marry statement".

Fees

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Validity

These certificates vary in the length of time they are valid for, which can sometimes only be a few months. Certain countries require that certificates be no older than 2 or 3 months at the time of your wedding. Therefore, it is important to check the requirements which apply to your circumstances and pay particular attention to timelines when you apply for a Certificate of No Impediment.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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Instructions

If you are planning to marry in another country, you may be required to obtain a Certificate of Non-Impediment. This document has many different names such as Declaration of Non-Impediment to Marry, Statutory Declaration of Single Status, Affidavit of Intended Marriage, Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad, Certificate de Coutume, a Certificate of No Impediment, Certificate of Nulla Osta, Certificate of Freedom to Marry or just free to marry.

Required Information

• Full Name
• Passport or ID number
• Place and Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Statement
• Date
• Signature of the person who declares

Need for the Document

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'.

Information which might help

Please also be aware that a standard Certificate of No Impediment may be insufficient on its own to allow a marriage to take place in a foreign country. You may be required by the foreign authorities to comply with the following, so please ensure that you allow sufficient time for processing.

• Certificates may need to be translated.
• Certificates may need to be endorsed or exchanged for a locally acceptable version issued by your Embassy or Consulate in the country where you will marry.
• Certificates may need to be legalized i.e. stamped with an official stamp known as an Apostille.
• Certificates may require that witnesses swear an Affidavit stating that you are free to marry and that this is appended.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

In order for non-nationals to marry in a foreign country you will most likely be required to produce legal documentation from your country of citizenship verifying single status and that you are free to marry. This is known as a 'Certificate of No Impediment', 'Certificate de Coutume', 'Certificate of Nulla Osta' or a 'Certificate of Freedom to Marry'.

External Links

Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry Of Legal Affairs

Others

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.

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.