Single Status Document Authentication & Legalization in Canada
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Single Status Certificate Authentication in Canada
A single status certificate is a declaration of unmarried status. In short, this certificate proves that you are not married. Foreign entities may ask for this document if you’re getting married abroad, or if you’re purchasing a property. Some countries also ask for this certificate for employment purposes.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident marrying outside Canada, local authorities may ask for a marriage search letter, a single status affidavit or a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad.
A marriage search letter, issued by the province where you live, confirms whether or not you have registered a marriage there.
A single status affidavit is a document that you swear in front of a notary that indicates that you are single.
Canada does not issue certificates of non-impediment to marriage abroad. Instead, you can request a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad.
You may need to have the documents translated and then authenticated (or apostilled), before you can use them in the country where you’re getting married. In this guide we’ll go over the single status certificate apostille process in Canada.
Single Status Certificate Authentication Canada: The Process
There are multiple steps to follow to authenticate a single status certificate:
- Document Preparation
- Apostille
- and in some cases, Legalization
Let’s go into each of these in more detail:
1- How to prepare a Single Status Document Canada for Authentication at Global Affairs Canada
The first step is to confirm exactly what is needed. Contact the embassy of the country that requested your single status certificate to see what has to be included and the format. Countries refer to single status certificates using many different terms, including:
- No Record of Marriage
- Certificate of Freedom to Marry
- Single Status Affidavit
- Certificate of No Record – Marriage
- Affidavit of Single Status
- Affidavit of Marriageability
- Certificate of No Public Record
- Declaration of Unmarried Status
- Declaration of No Impediment
According to Global Affairs Canada, not all countries require a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage issued by a Canadian authority, so it’s important that you check well before submitting any documents. Only if you receive confirmation that you must obtain a statement in lieu and that the local authorities will not accept one from the Canadian mission, you may apply for one. Global Affairs Canada may refuse to issue a statement in lieu if they have information indicating that the country where you will be using your document does not require one.
Additionally, there are also different terms for ‘authentication’. Some countries may ask for an attestation, others ask for a single status apostille. Since Canada is a member of The Hague Apostille Convention it only issues apostilles.
If the country where you will be using the documents is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need to complete a third step by obtaining a legalization from the Embassy of the country where you will get married.
Once you’ve determined the certificate format needed and the authentication type, it’s time to prepare your document. Single status affidavits and marriage search letters, like all private legal documents, must be notarized before being submitted to Global Affairs Canada.
Some embassies also ask for a certified true copy, a translation, and supporting documents. It’s important that you consult the Embassy and prepare everything in advance to avoid your request being rejected.
2- How to submit a Single Status Certificate for Canada apostille
The next step is apostille at Global Affairs Canada Ottawa or a provincial competent authority. Global Affairs Canada will not apostille a single status certificate that:
- Is not an original
- Has a signature that’s not verifiable
- Is glued or laminated
- Is covered by any substance that makes it difficult to stamp
- Is not notarized
Where you send the documents depends on where they were issued or notarized:
– Global Affairs Canada apostilles documents issued by the Government of Canada and documents issued or notarized in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. If your document was notarized in one of these provinces or territories but issued elsewhere, you will still send it to Global Affairs Canada.
– Documents issued or notarized in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan must be submitted to these provinces’ competent authority. If your document was notarized in Alberta, Ontario, or Saskatchewan, send it to that province’s competent authority, regardless of where it was issued. In British Columbia and Quebec, the competent authority authenticates a notarized document only if the original was issued there.
3- How to request the legalization of a Single Status (Marital Status) Certificate
If the country where you will be getting married has not signed The Hague Apostille Convention, you must carry out a third and final step: legalization. A legalization stamp is obtained from the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you will be using your single status certificate.
As already indicated, a number of embassies may ask for supporting documents, some of which may also need to be translated, notarized and authenticated to process your request.
At Document Authentication Canada, we can help you determine what’s needed for each specific country, so that your request will not be turned down and lead to unnecessary delays. We have the expertise to complete the entire apostille (or authentication and legalization process) on your behalf, saving you time and money.
Our simple 4-step process helps you apostille or authenticate and legalize your Canadian documents in a fast & easy manner.
Start by calling us at 1-855-700-5840 or requesting a quote online. We’ll get back to you in 1 hour.
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Once you receive a quote and select a time frame that works best for you. We’ll provide you with a final price and help you prepare your documents. When your ready ship your documents to our office in Ottawa: 1103-467 Laurier West, Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1R 5C7.
We recommend that you use a secure, prepaid and tracked courier service for sending your documents.
Have any questions? Feel free to call us at 1-855-700-5840
After receiving your documents we will take care of the rest. We will make sure your documents get apostilled or authenticated and legalized within your requested time frame.
Want to stay updated throughout the whole process?
Check out Document Authentication Canada’s Document Tracking System.
…and that’s it! After completing the document authentication and legalization process, we will send your documents using the shipping method of your choice.
Remember: With Document Authentication Canada you only pay at the end, once your documents have been completely authenticated and legalized.
Common Questions about Single Status Certificate Authentication and Legalization
How to get single status certificate Canada online (single status letter for marriage)
To obtain a single status affidavit, you must swear in front of a notary or other authorized official that you are single. You must then get it apostilled or authenticated and, if required, legalized by the Embassy of the country where you will use your certificate.
Can I get a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad?
A certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad confirms that there are no objections to you getting married or entering into a civil partnership. While many countries ask for this certificate if you’re getting married there, Canada does not issue it. Instead, you can get a statement in lieu of a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad. You can learn more about this on Global Affairs Canada’s website.
Where can I get a marriage search letter?
A marriage search letter is issued by the office responsible for registering marriages in your province or territory and confirms whether or not you have a marriage registered there. Get in touch with your province to obtain a marriage search letter.
How long does it take to legalize a single status certificate?
Waiting times depend on the provincial competent authority where you send your documents, and the need for a legalization. The whole process can easily take from 8 to 10 weeks, more if you do not submit the correct documents.
If you’d prefer to speed up the process, you can choose to outsource it to experts who can navigate these steps accurately and efficiently. At Document Authentication Canada, we can get a single status affidavit apostilled (or authenticated and legalized) and ready for use abroad quickly. Get in touch with us for a free quote!
How much does it cost to authenticate my Canadian single status certificate?
Global Affairs Canada does not charge a fee to authenticate private documents. However, each embassy in Ontario charges a unique fee for the legalization step. You can find more information on Embassy pricing, in our Embassies section.
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This guide has provided all you should know about obtaining a single status certificate, getting it certified, and then apostilled or authenticated and legalized, ready for use abroad.
It’s undoubtedly a long (and often tiresome) process, especially if you’re busy planning a wedding. At Document Authentication Canada, we facilitate the legalization of single status certificates and other private documents. We navigate through the bureaucracy on your behalf so that you avoid unnecessary delays. Get in touch with our expert team at 1-855-700-5840 to request a quote and a free document evaluation.
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