Trinidad and Tobago - 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 Trinidad & Tobago. 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

Civil Registry Offices
Registration House
72-74 South Quay
Port of Spain
(868) 624-1660

10 Leotaud Street
San Fernando
(868) 653-4858

32 Pro Queen Street
Arima
(868) 667-1700

Caroline Building #2
11 Hamilton Street
Scarborough
Tobago
(868) 639-3210

For more information on Civil Marriages, or for information on Muslim, Hindu or Orisa marriages, please contact:
Registrar General's Office
Registration House
South Quay
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel: (868) 624-1660
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Registrar General Division
Central Administrative Services, Tobago (CAST)
Jerningham Street
Scarborough
Tobago, West Indies
Tel: (868) 639-2652-7
Fax: (868) 639-2505
E-mail: [email protected]
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Registrar General's Department Contact Information

District Offices Locations

Trinidad & Tobago Diplomatic Missions

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

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.

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.

Required Information

• Full Name
• Passport or ID number
• Place and Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Gender
• 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

Registrar General's Department

The Registrar General's Departmet is responsible for the registration of all civil, land and company records and is the sole custodian of these records.

The services of the Registrar General's Department are no longer at the Red House, having been relocated in 1999 to Registration House, 72-74 South Quay, Port of Spain.

Authentication (Legalization) of Documents

This process takes three (3) working days once the documents meet the necessary requirements. Please note that these documents must be hand-delivered and submitted to the Consular Division of the Ministry which is located on the 12th Floor where an officer of the Ministry screens the documents to ensure that they meet the requirements previously mentioned.

Further information regarding this process can be obtained at:

Consular Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications

Levels 10 - 14, Tower C Waterfront Complex

1A Wrightson Road Port of Spain

Tel. No.: 623-6894

Email: [email protected]

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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.

External Links

Ministry of Legal Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Registrar General's Department

Government Ministries

Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Others

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.