From Where Can NRIs Get Single Status Certificate In India?

India’s Laws For Marriage  

India is one of the counties where an individual need not show up single status certificate to certify that he or she is single. Certainly, it is a worldwide accepted affidavit (in case of India, the USA and many other countries) for declaring that the bearer is not in matrimonial relationship. Here, every nuptial knot is bifurcated under either the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 or the Special Marriage Act 1954. So, people don’t need any kind of proof of bachelorhood. 

Single Status Certificate for Solemnizing Marriage Abroad 

But, the case of foreign countries is different. The countries like Philippines have a provision to show it up before the ringing of wedding bells. Certainly, this country has PSA to look into this application. Besides, the competent authority does not accept if it is more than six months old. This duration may vary in different countries. India is an exception to this, as I have already aforementioned about it. This exception is a big concern for the NRIs who want to tie knot with a foreigner. Their government mandates to present it beforehand. 

Where to Apply for CENOMAR In India 

Since India has no provision to show certificate of no marriage record, non-residents often face off difficulties, as where they should go for making this request. Here are the authorities that you should consult with for getting this bachelorhood certificate. 

• Notary Public

 As there is no competent authority for this, you can draw up a notarized affidavit of single status. He is an official of integrity in the state government service to impartially verify the requisite supporting documents, such as the proof of birth, residence and parents. His main concern is to mitigate the possibility of fraud.  

• District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate

 This authority is the one that screens the supporting document to put the legal stamp on the affidavit of no marriage. The affiant should have all papers to be verified by the DM or SDM in the local district where he/ she is born in. The witnesses who can be father, mother or any other relative would also need to enclose an affidavit as a support document. Then only, the affidavit will be considered valid. 

• Home Department/ Ministry of External Affairs Attestation

 This is the topmost authority, which counter-attests that affidavit. However, you have an alternative to go for apostille services if you are going to marry in the country that has been a member of Hague Convention. Else, the document is to be authorized by the MEA. This attestation makes it completely valid across the globe. There are certain substantial points that you should keep into account if you are going for the MEA attestation, which are as follow: 

• You should visit the outsourcing agency or contact it over the phone. The central government has a list of the authorized agency centers to visit for the attestation of CENOMAR.  Do carry the supporting documents to annex with, which are birth certificate, voter ID, aadhar card, PAN card, a valid passport, Decree Absolute (if legally divorced) & death certificate of the late spouse, (if widowed)
• Then, the agency will contact Branch Secretariat/ RPO, whose list is also given in this link.
• You will get the receipt of the Apostilled/ attested document. It helps the outsourcing agent to collect it from the RPOs upon being legalized.
• Finally, you are the recipient of that legal paper.

To get more information about single status certificate, see Services2NRI official website.