Saint Kitts and Nevis - Single Status Certificate

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Procedure

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 St Kitts and Nevis. 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

• 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

Registry (High Court)
Main Street
Charlestown, Nevis
(ext) 2053
Fax: (869) 469-1081
Monday: 8-4
Tuesday: 8-4
Wednesday: 8-4
Thursday: 8-4
Friday: 8-4
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3rd Floor, Government Headquarters
Church Street
Basseterre
Tel: No.: (869) 467 1161
Fax :( 869) 465 5202
Email: [email protected]

Missions of St Kitts and Nevis Overseas
St. Kitts & Nevis Honorary Consuls

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

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Validity

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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

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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

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

Authentication (Legalization) of Documents

Foreign countries often require "official" documents to be "authenticated before such documents can be accepted. An "authentication" is a governmental act by which a designated public official certifies to the genuineness of the signature and seal and the position of the official who has executed, issued, or certified a copy of a document. As long as this document is authenticated by an apostille it is internationally accepted and valid in countries which are Party to the Convention de La Haye du 5 October 1961.

The sole function of the apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document in question by identifying any stamp or seal affixed to the document. The apostille either must be attached as an annex to the official document or placed on the document itself by means of a stamp. (A copy of the form is attached).

At the Ministry this process may take two (2) working days once the documents meet the necessary requirements. Please note that the document(s) must be hand-delivered to the Ministry where an officer will ensure that they meet the necessary requirements for processing. The cost of the Apostille is $55.00 ECD in STAMPS (which may be obtained from the General Post Office, Bay Road).

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

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Official Website of the Government

List of diplomatic missions of Saint Kitts and Nevis

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.