Those who want to know “how to prove single status” for marriage abroad, it is a legal document attested by a magistrate or sub-divisional magistrate of the district. This single status letter states that the bearer is verified as a single being.

However, Indian judicial system does not mandate showing any proof of bachelorhood or single status. It is simply because here people solemnize marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. These acts do not require any such certificate to show prior to matrimony.

But, the European and some Asian countries compulsorily require it. Not only do non-residents of India, but also citizens submit it to the competent authority before wedding. Certificate of No Marriage, Certificate of No Impediment, Single Status Certificate, Unmarried Certificate, Nulla Osta and many other names are used in diverse countries for it. Here, it is called a bachelorhood certificate.

Attestation Is Necessary

Attestation refers to a declaration by the competent authority that you’re truly a bachelor. India has the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that attests or apostil this letter. It requires the original document for stamping on it.

Generally, there are two types of attestation services for this letter, which are as below:

• Apostille

This kind of attestation is valid for NRIs who are likely to get married in any of the member countries  of the Hague Convention, which was set up on October 5, 1961. Since 2005, India is its member. Its membership states that people of its member countries won’t require legalization of foreign public documents.  

In short, you need to have this service for legalizing your personal documents like birth/ death/ marriage certificates, affidavits (such as single status letter), PoA and educational documents.

• Normal Attestation

It refers to verifying all documents from the MEA if your purpose to go abroad is education, tourism, business, employment or marriage. This is the case when you want to go the nation that is not a part of the Hague Convention.

In essence, you have to get your certificate from the court, get it signed by the magistrate and then, go for its counter-attestation by the MEA. 

Different Ways To Attest

There are two ways to get your affidavit of bachelorhood.

1. e-Sanad

The first one is to get it done through e-sanad, which is the initiative of the central government to verify and attest documents of NRIs or citizens online.

The applicant can follow this procedure if he or she wants it done over the internet:

• Visit e-Sanad website.
• Fill and submit its application form.
• Pay the requisite fee.
• The MEA receives your request online.
• The DIAs/ GAD verify your documents.
• Then, the ministry of external affairs signs it off or apostil it digitally.
• Finally, the document is sent to applicants.

​2. NRI Services Outsourcing Agents

These agents are like Services2NRI that contact Regional Authentication Centres (RACs), forwarding the request.  It is noteworthy that the MEA does not accept direct requests. These agents bridge the gap, following this procedure:

• Applicant raises a request for attesting this letter over the internet with an outsourcing agent.
• The agent contacts RACs and forwards the application.
• He also hands over the supporting documents, such as affidavit of the would-be spouses and the same of two witnesses who can be parents, DoB and address proofs, passport and visa details etc..
• Then, these documents are sent for verification from the Branch Secretariat/ RPOs.
• The receipt of the fee paid is sent.
• Upon legalization of those documents, the applicant receives the attested letter for marriage.

However, the covid-19 pandemic has stopped walk-ins for any such services. But, the applicants can contact agents online and send their request for the same.