Bermuda - Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

Apply In Person

1. To apply for Single Status Certificate, the applicant has to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs– 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 receive the certificate through mail.
11. This entire process can be completed within 2 weeks or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

• National identity card or Passport.
• Proof of address.
• If divorced, Decree Absolute.
• If widowed, Death Certificate of previous spouse (and Marriage Certificate).
• If your name has been changed by Deed Poll, proof is necessary.
• The relevant fee.

Office Locations & Contacts

The Registry General
1st floor
Government Administration Building
30 Parliament Street,
Hamilton HM 12
BERMUDA
Contact the Registry General
Embassies

Eligibility

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'.

Fees

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

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

The mandate of the Registry General is to provide a timely and efficient service when administering Acts relating to the registration of births, deaths, marriages (including civil and maritime marriages), deeds, mortgages, land transfers, other legal documents, trade unions, pension trust funds, charitable organisations, professionals and professional organisations, and to the granting of intellectual property rights, such as trade and service marks, patents and designs and advising on the copyright and related rights, as well as the registration of country-code top-level domain names.

Required Information

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

Need for the Document

A Single Status Certificate 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 Single Status Certificate or 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

The Bride & Groom to be married must provide from their country of Citizenship, individual Certificates of non impediment, as proof that they are both indeed single and eligible to marry. This is also called an affidavit of single status or negative statement of marriage. This document can be obtained at the Bureau of Vital statistics in their city they reside.

External Links

The Government of Bermuda

Vital Registrations/Matrimonial (Births, Deaths & Marriage)

Address Finder

The Government of Bermuda London office

Others

The Registry General is responsible for Vital Registration and Matrimonial Services which include:

• The receipt of birth notifications, the registration of births, including marine births, and the issuing of birth certificates.
• The adding of fathers names to Birth Register entries.
• The registration of adoptions.
• The receipt of death notifications, the registration of deaths, including marine deaths and the issuing of death certificates.
• The issuing of marriage licenses and the registration of marriages, including maritime marriages and the issuing of marriage certificates.