If you are a Nigerian marrying a non-Nigerian, applying for a visa, or registering the union abroad, most foreign authorities would ask for a certificate of singlehood. The process of getting it isn’t difficult, especially when you have a clear picture of how it actually works.
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 legally single and free to marry, and Nigeria’s local government or Federal Ministry of Interior issues it.
- You will need this certificate if you are marrying a foreigner, applying for a marriage-based visa, or registering your marriage abroad, since foreign authorities use it to confirm your marital status.
- Before applying, you will need documents like your ID, birth certificate, affidavit of single status, and passport photos, plus a completed application form.
- You can apply through your Local Government Area office or the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja, and the certificate is only valid for six months once issued.
What is a certificate of singlehood?
A certificate of singlehood is a document that proves your single status in Nigeria and that 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.
In Nigeria, a certificate of singlehood is legally issued by the local government or the Federal Ministry of Interior.
NOTE:
You can get your certificate of singlehood personally or get a third party to do it for you if you are abroad.
Example of a single certificate for marriage
Types of certificates of singlehood
There are two types of certificates of singlehood:
Why do you need a certificate of singlehood?
- You will need a certificate of singlehood because foreign authorities require it from every Nigerian planning to marry abroad, as official proof that you are legally single before they will register or conduct the wedding.
- Immigration offices ask for it during marriage-based visa applications to confirm you weren’t already married when you tied the knot.
- Some countries also request it as part of a full civil status package for residency applications, to establish your marital history at the exact time you applied.
Documents required to obtain a certificate of singlehood
- Application Letter or duly filled Application Form;
- Birth Certificate or Attestation of Birth from National Population Commission;
- Identification document (national ID card, international passport, or driver’s licence
- Notarized Letter from Local Government of Origin affirming Applicant is known to Local Government and has not been married according to their Records
- Affidavit of Non-Marital Status deposed to by Applicant before an Authorized Official in the Foreign Country or by a Senior Foreign Affairs Officer serving at the nearest Nigerian Embassy or High Commission;
- Passport Pictures of Applicant and Spouse
- Full Address of Applicant that corresponds with Address on ID Card issued by Foreign Government
- E-mail Address and Phone Number
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How to apply for a single status certificate
There are two routes through which you can get your single status certificate: the LGA route and the Federal Ministry of Interior route.
Procedure for Obtaining a Certificate of Singlehood from the Local Government
- Arrange your necessary documents: Arrange all the required documents, such as 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, then pay the processing fee.
- Collect your certificate of singlehood: Your Local Government Area office 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 in the country of your chioce.
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 relevant 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.
Certificate of Singlehood Cost in Nigeria
The current cost for obtaining a certificate of singlehood in Nigeria at the Local Government Area (LGA) level is around ₦10,000, though this varies by state; at the Federal Ministry of Interior, the certificate costs about ₦100,000.
If you choose to work with an agent to handle the entire process, the fee can cost as much as ₦180,000, depending on the agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
A single status certificate is an official document that proves you are not married and are legally free to marry. It’s also known as a certificate of singlehood, a certificate of no impediment, or a non-marriage certificate.
It typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly your documents are verified and which route (LGA or Federal Ministry of Interior) you use.
You can obtain one from your Local Government Area office or the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja.
A certificate of no impediment to marriage is the same thing as a certificate of singlehood, so the process of getting it is the same: swear an affidavit of single status at a High Court, then submit it along with your other documents to your LGA or the Federal Ministry of Interior. It may then need authentication and embassy legalization for use abroad.
Spinster is the term used to describe a woman who has never been married before. It’s like the female equivalent of bachelor.
Conclusion
A single status certificate is how you prove you are single and not married. Getting this certificate of singleness in Nigeria is not hard. If you follow the process diligently, submit the correct documents, and apply through the right authorities, you will get your certificate of singlehood right on time.
If you are abroad or in Nigeria and need effective assistance with obtaining a single-status certificate, reach out to a reliable travel agency for professional help.
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