Virgin Islands(British) - Single Status Certificate (Proof of Marital Status)

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Procedure

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. 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 Virgin Islands (British). 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

Registrar-General
P.O. Box 3199
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands VG1110
Tel: (284) 468-3442
Fax: (284) 494-2783
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.crisvi.gov.vg
Contacts - How to Request your Record
Location of the Registrar-General's Office

British Virgin Islands Embassy Contacts and Tourist Office
BVI Tourist Board Offices

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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Instructions

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.

The Registrar-Generals Office is situated on Wickhams Cay, Road Town, upstairs of Burhym Electrical Services. The Registrar-Generals Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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

The Civil Registry and Passport Office, established in 2005 as a department within the Governor's Group, is headed by a Registrar-General. The Civil Registry is located in the Burhym Building, deCastro Street #49, Wickham's Cay; while the Passport Office is situated on the 1st Floor in the Central Administration Building on Wickham's Cay. The mandate of the Department is two-fold:

• To create and manage the civil records of residents in the Territory of the Virgin Islands under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act (Cap. 276), the Marriage Act (Cap. 292), the Adoption of Children Act, (Cap. 269) and to a lesser degree the Legitimacy Act (Cap. 271).
• To manage passports and nationality matters in the Territory of the Virgin Islands under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007; The British Nationality Act, 1981 and The Immigration and Passport Act (Cap. 130).

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

Government of the Virgin Islands

Civil Registry and Passport Office

Ministries

BVI Tourist Board

Departments

Useful Links

Department Contact Listing

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.