Missing a certificate of singlehood has stopped weddings, delayed visas, and stalled international plans for many Nigerians. Foreign authorities require a certificate of singlehood from Nigerians planning to get married to a foreigner, apply for a foreign visa, or register their marriage.
Getting this document is not complicated. Most people struggle only because nobody explained the process clearly.
In this guide, you will learn what a certificate of singlehood is, why you need it, the documents required, how much it costs, and the exact steps to apply, whether you are currently in Nigeria or living abroad.
Key takeaways
- A certificate of singlehood is an official document that proves you are not married and are legally free to marry, and it is required by foreign authorities before they will approve your marriage, visa, or immigration application.
- In Nigeria, you can get a certificate of singlehood from your Local Government Area office or the Federal Ministry of Interior, but you must first swear an affidavit of single status at a High Court.
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The major certificate of singlehood requirements are a Nigerian ID card, evidence of residence, birth certificate, passport photograph, proof of payment, a filled application form, and a signed authorization letter from you.
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If you need the certificate for use abroad, you must authenticate it at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and, in some cases, get it legalized at the foreign embassy in Nigeria.
- The total cost of getting a certificate of singlehood in Nigeria ranges from as low as ₦500 for a court affidavit to ₦200,000 for a Federal Ministry of Interior certificate, with additional fees for authentication and embassy legalization.
What is a certificate for singlehood?
A certificate of singlehood is a document that proves your single status in Nigeria, and you are free to get married. It takes several days or weeks to obtain, depending on the verification speed, and is only valid for six months.
Some call it a single status certificate, a certificate of no impediment, a non-marriage certificate, or a certificate of legal capacity to marry. Regardless of the name on the form, they all mean the same thing.
In Nigeria, a certificate of singlehood is legally issued by the local government or the Federal Ministry of Interior. It takes several days or weeks to obtain, depending on the verification speed.
NOTE:
You can get your certificate of singlehood personally or get a third party to do it for you if you are abroad.
Types of certificates of singlehood
There are two types of certificates of singlehood:
- Bachelorhood certificate: This is for men. A bachelorhood certificate is a document that proves a man’s single status in Nigeria; it shows that he has never been married or is legally divorced.
- Spinsterhood Certificate: This is for women. A spinsterhood certificate is a document that proves a woman’s single status in Nigeria; it shows that she has never been married or is legally divorced.
Why Do You Need a Certificate of Singlehood?
There are several reasons a man or a woman will need a certificate of singlehood, including:
- Marriage Abroad: Foreign authorities require a certificate of singlehood from each Nigerian as official proof that they were legally single before they will register or conduct the marriage.
- Visa Application: For a marriage-based visa application, the immigration authority will ask for a certificate of singlehood to confirm that you were not legally single at the time you got married.
- Immigration or residency applicants: Some foreign immigration authorities require it as part of a full civil status documentation package to establish your marital history at the exact time of your application.
Documents required to obtain a certificate of singlehood
The documents required to obtain a certificate of singlehood in Nigeria include:
- A valid government-issued means of identification, such as a national ID card, international passport, or driver’s licence.
- Proof of divorce (For a divorcee)
- The death certificate of the deceased spouse and the Marriage certificate. (applicable for widow or widower)
- Evidence of the place of residence of the applicant and phone number.
- Proof of change of name ( where applicable)
- Affidavit
- Birth certificate or declaration of age to confirm your date of birth and legal name.
- A recent passport photograph (with a white background).
- A completed application form obtained from the marriage registry or local government secretariat.
- Proof of payment of the applicable processing fee.
- Clear copy of your international passport data page (if applicable).
- ID of intended foreign spouse and intended destination (if applicable).
- Parents’ full name (for affidavit)
- Signed authorization letter to process on your behalf (if a third party is processing it)
Get your single status certificates through professional help
How to Get a Certificate of Singlehood in Nigeria
A certificate of singlehood can be issued by the local government or the federal Ministry of Interior. These two tiers of government have different procedures.
Procedure for Obtaining a Certificate of Singlehood from the Local Government
- Arrange necessary documents: Arrange all the required documents like your means of identification, passport, divorce certificate, etc
- Swear an affidavit: Swear an affidavit of singlehood at a high court. This affidavit is a formally sworn legal declaration under oath stating that you are not married.
- Submit affidavit and other documents: Take the affidavit from the High Court to your Local Government Area office alongside all required documents. And pay the processing fee.
- Collect Your Bachelorhood Certificate: The LGA reviews your affidavit and supporting documents and issues your certificate of singlehood.
- Authenticate at the Federal Ministry of Interior: if this certificate of singlehood is needed abroad, you must complete authentication at the Federal Ministry of Interior. This confirms the document’s legitimacy for international use.
- Legalization at a foreign embassy: After authentication, it must be legalized at the foreign embassy in Nigeria before it can be accepted internationally.
Procedure for Obtaining a Certificate of Singlehood from the Federal Ministry of Interior
- Arrange Your Documents: This includes your birth certificate, your local government origin certificate with passport photographs, a clear scanned copy of your international passport data page, and a government-issued identity card of your intended foreign spouse bearing their photograph.
- Write an Application Letter: Write a formal application letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Interior requesting the issuance of a certificate of singlehood.
- Obtain Foreign Country Documents: Request from the relevant authority in the foreign country a government-issued document showing an application to marry from a recognized institution, as well as a copy of that country’s law stating that attestation of non-marital status from Nigeria is required. These two documents confirm that the foreign country officially requires the certificate from you.
- Swear an Affidavit: Swear an affidavit of singlehood in a high court. This affidavit is a formally sworn legal declaration under oath stating that you are not married.
- Obtain notarized letters: get a notarized letter from a parent or senior family member confirming that you have never been married, and also from your local government of origin.
- Submit affidavit and other documents: Once all documents are complete, submit the full package to the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja and pay the official processing fee.
- Collect Your Certificate of Singlehood: Once all documents are verified and approved, you can collect your certificate of singlehood.
- Legalization at the foreign embassy: It must be legalized at the foreign embassy in Nigeria before it can be accepted internationally.
Single Status Affidavit
A single status certificate is a sworn document given by the high court, declaring a person is not married and has no marriage obligations.
A single status affidavit is a supporting document used in obtaining a certificate of singlehood. A single status certificate can be obtained at a physical court or online from VARMS or e-Affidavit
Here is a Single Status Affidavit Example:
Single Status Certificate Cost in Nigeria
Here is a current cost breakdown for obtaining a certificate of singlehood in Nigeria:
|
Item |
Estimated cost |
|
Affidavit in the Court registry |
₦500 – ₦1,000 |
|
Certificate LGA (Varies by state) |
10,000 |
|
Certificate, Federal Ministry of Interior |
₦200,000 |
|
MFA Authentication (international use) |
₦10,000 per document |
|
Embassy legalization |
₦65,000-₦86,000 per document |
|
Lawyer or agent fee: (varies with agent or lawyer) |
₦100,000- ₦250,000 from start to completion of the entire process |
Single Status Certificate Format
A certificate of singlehood in Nigeria follows a formal format: it includes:
- Header and Title: Official letterhead from the issuing authority and document title
- Reference number: Every certificate carries a unique reference number that identifies it in official records and makes it traceable by the issuing authority.
- Personal details of the applicant: This section includes your full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, and residential address, and all information that confirms who the certificate belongs to.
- Declaration of status: This is the core of the document. It formally states that you have never been married, or that your previous marriage ended through divorce or the death of a spouse, and that you are legally free to marry.
- Official certification: This is where the issuing authority signs and stamps the document to give it legal weight and government backing.
- Date and place of issue: The certificate clearly states when and where it was issued. This is because MFA authentication is valid for only six months.
- Authentication: For international use, the document carries an additional stamp or seal from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently asked questions
You can obtain a single status certificate from the local government office or the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Yes, you can get a single status affidavit online.
It is a document proving an individual is not married and has no marital obligations; it is also called a certificate of singlehood.
Yes, a single status certificate can be processed for you by an authorized agent or lawyer.
Yes, you can get your single status affidavit in PDF format online; online affidavits are legally binding.
Conclusion
Getting your certificate of singlehood on time prevents wedding cancellations, delayed visas, and stalled international plans. Being properly informed on what a certificate of singlehood is and what it is used for is a great way to stay ahead.
If you are abroad or in Nigeria and need effective assistance with your single status affidavit, legalization, authentication, and spouse visa application, reach out to Visa.NG for professional help.
