Dominica - Obtain a NonMarriage Certificate / Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

Apply In Person (Both Non-Citizen & Citizen)

1. To Obtain a Non- Marriage Certificate / Single Status Certificate the applicant has to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – link
2. The applicant has to visit the office with the request affidavit 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 of $195.
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. The applicant will receive the certificate through mail.
12. This entire process can be completed within 2 - 4 weeks or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal or dedication certificate with a notation from the Priest or Pastor indicating that the applicant is free to marry.

For persons born before 1964:

• Postage stamps of EC $8.00
• Get someone to take an oath on an affidavit stating that he/she has known the applicant for so many years and that the applicant is not married.

For persons born after 1964:

• Postage stamps of EC $3.00
• For persons who are unable to produce a baptismal or dedication certificate or letter from Priest or Pastor, someone has to take an oath on an affidavit stating that he/she has known the applicant for so many years and that the applicant is not married.

Note: Stamps are available for purchase at the General Post Office in Roseau and at its branches.

Office Locations & Contacts

Registry

Ministry of Tourism and Legal Affairs

Dame Mary Eugenia Charles Boulevard

Roseau

Commonwealth of Dominica

Telephone: (767) 266 3410

Fax: (767) 440 3753

E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of Tourism and Legal Affairs

List of diplomatic missions of Dominica

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

• For persons born before 1964:
  • Postage stamps of EC $8.00
• For persons born after 1964:
  • Postage stamps of EC $3.00

Validity

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

Documents to Use

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

Please explain the processing your application.    

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

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.

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

Non-Marriage Certificate or statutory declaration attests to the marriage status of the applicants.

A non marriage certificate is a document ensuring that applicants have never been married.

Non-Marriage 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

Functions of the Registry include:

• Entering and filing of data received from hospitals and District Registrars
• Processing of State Lands
• Issuing of births, deaths, marriage and non-marriage certificates
• Registration of Records e.g. deeds, agreements
• Registration of Probates
• Registration and delivery of Certificates of Title
• Registration of Churches
• Completion of Criminal and Civil cases
• Registering of persons as citizens of Commonwealth of Dominica (this only applies to those born after November 3, 1978)

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

The Bride & Groom to be married must provide from their country of Citizenship, individual Certificates of non impediment or Certificate of Single Status/Sworn Affidavit, 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

• Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Web Portal: http://dominica.gov.dm/services/how-do-i-obtain-a-non-marriage-certificate

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Registry Division

Government of Dominica

Others

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".

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 Dominica. 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 registrars account or declaration to be authenticated to work abroad.

• Go to the Civil Registry office where marriages are registered.
• Present and submit required documents.
• Complete a form and declare.
• Pay the fee.