Netherlands - Obtain Certificate of No Impediment / Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

• Fill in and submit your application along with all other required documents to the Dutch Diplomatic Mission in the country your are currently residing. Pay all necessary fees.

Please contact Dutch Diplomatic Mission in the country you are currently residing for more information regarding different ways you may send your application.

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 Netherlands. 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.

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Required Documents

• Copy of a valid Dutch passport or identity card
• Proof of address (e.g. utility bill, council tax bill or tenancy agreement);
• Confirmation of marital status at the time of de-registration from the Netherlands;
• Completed and signed verklaring van burgerlijke staat
• If you have been married or have had a civil partnership, proof of the dissolution of this marriage or civil partnership or the death certificate of the spouse or civil partner has to be submitted
• Self-addressed return envelope

Note: Some Dutch Embassies may asked for additional documents to be submitted.

Office Locations & Contacts

Search for Dutch Embassies and Consulates Abroad

Netherlands Embassy in London, United Kingdom

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

38 Hyde Park Gate

London SW7 5DP

United Kingdom

Tel.: 0044 (0)20 7590 3200

Fax: 0044 (0)20 7225 0947

Email: [email protected]

Department of Public Service (Publiekszaken)
Postbus 12620
2500 DL The Hague
Telephone: 14 070
From abroad: +31 70 353 30 00
Website
The Department of Public Service (Publiekszaken) is located in the City Office at Leyweg 813, 2545 HA The Hague.

Contact: Municipalities AZ
The Consular Service Centre's Legalization Desk

Embassies, consulates and other representations

Eligibility

Certificates of No Impediment are issued to Dutch nationals.

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

Application fees varies. Please contact Dutch Diplomatic Mission in the country you are currently residing for more information regarding the amount, form of payment and whom to address your payment.

Validity

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

Documents to Use

• For Applicants in the UK: verklaring van burgerlijke staat form

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Instructions

Certificates of No Impediment are obtained from Dutch Diplomatic Missions abroad.

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

Some overseas countries would require a "Certificate of No Impediment" (verklaring omtrent de burgerlijke staat) to be submitted before a Dutch National is allowed to be married abroad. This document states that the applicant is single and has the capacity to enter into marriage.

Following are procedures on how to obtain a certificate of no impediment.

Information which might help

Legalizing Dutch documents

A document that is legally valid in the Netherlands is not always recognised in another country. If you want to use a Dutch document abroad, you will usually have to get a Dutch authority to furnish it with stamps and signatures. This process is called legalisation.

Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage

This can be obtained from your local department of foreign affairs or your embassy in the country in which you are getting married.

Certificate of Single Status/Sworn Affidavit that you are free to marry

These are similar to a Certificate of No Impediment, but instead you have to swear you are single in front of a legal representative.

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

• Netherlands Embassy in London, United Kingdom:

http://unitedkingdom.nlembassy.org/passports-visas--consular/consular-affairs/consular-declarations---certificates/certificate-of-no-impediment.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom

Others

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.

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.