Single Status Affidavit apostille

What is a single status affidavit apostille?

Because the U.S. does not maintain a national registry of unmarried persons, an individual must self-certify their single status by signing a notarized affidavit before a notary public. That notarized affidavit is then apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where the notary is commissioned, making the document recognized in Hague Convention member countries.

When you need one

You need an apostilled single status affidavit when: marrying a foreign national in their home country, registering your marriage at a foreign civil registry after a ceremony abroad, applying for a long-term visa in a country that bars entry to undisclosed spouses, or satisfying a foreign employer or institution that requires proof of unmarried status.

How Laurela handles it

If you do not yet have a notarized affidavit, we coordinate notarization in your state and then route the document to the Secretary of State for apostille. If you already have a notarized affidavit, we handle only the apostille step. We also confirm any destination-specific wording or format requirements before the document is signed.

Apostille vs. embassy legalization

For Hague member countries, the notary apostille is sufficient. For non-Hague destinations, the notarized affidavit must go through additional state and federal authentication and then the destination country's consulate. We identify which path applies to your country when you order.

Frequently asked questions

Does the affidavit need to say anything specific?

Some countries require particular wording — for example, confirmation that you have never been married, or that any prior marriage ended in divorce or death. We check destination requirements before the affidavit is drafted.

How long does it take?

If we start from a notarized affidavit, the Secretary of State apostille timeline applies and varies by state. We give you a current estimate when you order.

Can I use a single status affidavit from a prior order, or does it need to be recent?

Most foreign authorities require the affidavit to be recent — often within three to six months of intended use. An older affidavit is generally not accepted. We advise on the acceptable date range for your destination.

What if I was previously married and am now divorced or widowed?

You may need to reference and attach evidence of the prior marriage's end (divorce decree or death certificate) alongside the affidavit. Requirements differ by country; we confirm what your destination needs.