You need a bachelorhood certificate if you are planning to get married to a foreigner, apply for a foreign visa, or register your marriage outside Nigeria. Most Nigerians have never heard of it until it is already holding up their application.
Its absence has delayed weddings and visa approvals, not because it is difficult to obtain, but simply because no one mentioned it until it was too late.
In this guide, you will find exactly what a bachelorhood certificate is, who needs it, where to get it in Nigeria, what documents to bring, and how the entire process works from start to finish.
Key takeaways
- A certificate of bachelorhood is an official document that proves you have never been married, and you need it for a foreign visa, marrying abroad, or marrying a foreign national.
- You can get it from your Local Government Area or the Federal Ministry of Interior, and each office has its own steps and list of required documents.
- The cost is around ₦10,000 at the LGA but about ₦200,000 at the Federal Ministry of Interior, and using an agent can cost up to ₦180,000 depending on who you hire.
- An affidavit of bachelorhood is not the same as the bachelorhood certificate, but the affidavit is part of the documents you need to get the certificate.
What is a certificate of bachelorhood?
A certificate of bachelorhood, also called a bachelorhood certificate for marriage, is a document that proves your single status in Nigeria; it is a type of certificate of singlehood for men. It is often required for a visa application, an international marriage, or a legal process abroad.
In Nigeria, a bachelorhood certificate 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:
A bachelorhood certificate is only valid for six months.
Who Needs a Bachelorhood Certificate and Why
Not every man will need a bachelorhood certificate for marriage, but for some it’s an unavoidable part of the process. Here’s a look at who needs one and why it’s required in each case:
|
Who needs a bachelorhood certificate |
Why do they need the certificate |
|
Visa applicants (spouse visa or family reunification visa) |
The immigration authority asks for it to confirm you were legally single when you got married. |
|
Nigerians getting married abroad |
Regardless of who they are marrying, the foreign marriage authority needs one from each Nigerian partner. It proves you were legally single. Without it, they will not register or conduct the marriage. |
|
Nigerians marrying a foreign national |
The foreign spouse’s embassy or home country authority needs it as proof that you are not married and are free to marry. |
|
Immigration or residency applicants |
Foreign immigration authorities ask for it as part of your civil status documents. It shows your marital history at the time you apply. |
Documents required to obtain a Bachelorhood certificate in Nigeria
- Application letter or duly filled application form
- Birth certificate or attestation of birth from the National Population Commission
- Certificate of local government origin with passport pictures
- Clear scanned copy of the data page of your international passport
- Government-issued identity card of your intended foreign spouse, with embedded photograph
- Government-issued document showing your application to marry, from a recognized institution in the foreign country
- Copy of the foreign country’s law stating that an attestation of non-marital status from the country of origin is required
- Notarized letter from your local government of origin, affirming that you are known to them and have not been married according to their records
- Affidavit of non-marital status, deposed before an authorized official in the foreign country or a senior foreign affairs officer at the nearest Nigerian embassy or high commission
- Notarized letters from a parent or other senior family member, confirming that you have not been married
- Passport pictures of you and your spouse
- Full-length pictures of both you and your spouse
- Your full address, matching the address on the ID card issued by the foreign government
- Your email address and phone number in the foreign country
Get your bachelor’s certificate through professionals
How to get a Bachelorhood certificate in Nigeria
The bachelorhood certificate 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 Bachelorhood Certificate from the Local Government
- Arrange your required documents
- Swear an affidavit of single status at a High Court
- Submit the affidavit and documents to your LGA office and pay the processing fee for your bachelorhood certificate.
- Collect your certificate of bachelorhood from the LGA
- Authenticate it at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs if needed abroad
- Legalize the certificate at your destination country’s embassy in Nigeria
Procedure for obtaining a Bachelorhood Certificate from the Federal Ministry of Interior
- Arrange your documents, for example, your birth certificate, passport, and spouse’s ID
- Write a formal application letter to the Federal Ministry of Interior
- Obtain the required documents from the foreign country
- Swear an affidavit of single status at a High Court
- Get notarized letters from a parent and your LGA of origin
- Submit the full document package to the Ministry of Interior in Abuja and pay the processing fee for your bachelorhood certificate.
- Collect your certificate of bachelorhood and proceed to your destination country’s embassy for legalization
How much does a Certificate of Bachelorhood cost?
The current cost for obtaining a certificate of bachelorhood 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 ₦200,000.
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.
Is an Affidavit of bachelorhood and a bachelorhood certificate the same?
No, an affidavit of bachelorhood and a bachelorhood certificate are related but not the same. The affidavit is a sworn statement you personally make before a notary public or commissioner for oaths, declaring under oath that you have never been married, while the certificate is typically issued or endorsed by a recognized authority (such as your local government or Federal Ministry of Interior) after verifying your unmarried status.
The affidavit is one of the most important required documents used to obtain the certificate, but it’s not a substitute for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelorhood is the period when a man is unmarried, has never been legally married, and has no existing marital ties.
You can obtain an affidavit of bachelorhood by visiting a High Court registry or a notary public/commissioner for oaths, where you’ll swear an oath declaring that you have never been married, provide the required documents, and pay the required fee.
You can obtain a bachelorhood certificate at your local government, the Federal Ministry of Interior, where officials verify your marital status against their records, or through agencies and legal practitioners who assist with processing the required documents.
Conclusion
Getting a bachelor’s certificate is not complicated; it only feels that way because most people find out about it at the last minute. It is required for a visa application, an international marriage, or a legal process abroad.
Don’t wait until your wedding or visa deadline is close before you start your application. Whether you’re in Nigeria or abroad, gather your documents and start the process early, or avoid the stress by allowing professionals from Visa.NG get your bachelorhood certificate in Nigeria for you.
