Will the Single Status Certificate or bachelorhood certificate issued in india be valid for your country? Here is how to check authenticity?
A Single Status Certificate (also known as Bachelorhood Certificate, Unmarried Certificate, or Eligibility to Marry Certificate) is an official legal document confirming that the individual is single (never married) and is free to marry.
This certificate is often required when an Indian citizen, NRI (Non-Resident Indian), or OCI cardholder plans to get married outside India. It acts as proof of your current marital status and fulfills the legal requirements of many foreign countries where the marriage is to be registered.
A Single Status Certificate in India becomes legally authentic and internationally valid only when it goes through the proper legal procedure of verification and attestation. Here's how its authenticity is established:
✅ 1. Issuance by Competent Authority (SDM)
The most authentic and widely accepted Single Status Certificate is issued on stamp paper, in the form of an affidavit, and is attested by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the area where the applicant has a permanent or current residence. The SDM’s attestation makes this affidavit an official public document recognized under Indian law.
Why SDM Attestation Matters:
The SDM is a government authority with judicial powers.
Documents attested by SDM are recognized as valid by Indian and foreign governments.
✅ 2. Attestation by State Home Department (Where Required)
In some Indian states, after SDM attestation, the Home Department of the State Government further verifies the authenticity of the certificate. This is not mandatory in all states but is often required before apostille in certain jurisdictions.
✅ 3. Apostille by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India
The ultimate authenticity is established when the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), CPV Division, New Delhi, apostilles or attests the certificate.
What is an Apostille? An Apostille is a certificate issued by MEA confirming the authenticity of the SDM’s signature and stamp under the Hague Convention of 1961. This makes the certificate legally valid in all Hague Convention countries.
For countries outside the Hague Convention, MEA attestation is still recognized as proof of authenticity.
✅ Legal Status of Apostilled Single Status Certificate
Once apostilled, the certificate is accepted by:
Foreign marriage registration offices
Embassies / Consulates abroad
Immigration authorities
Courts, legal bodies, and government departments overseas
Our Key Advantages:
✅ 36+ years of experience in legal and NRI services ✅ Experts in handling 100+ cases every month for Single Status / Bachelorhood Certificates ✅ Direct liaison with SDMs and State Authorities across India ✅ Complete end-to-end service from drafting to apostille ✅ International courier service to deliver your documents safely to your doorstep
Contact India for NRI for Your Single Status Certificate
If you are an NRI, OCI cardholder, or Indian citizen living abroad and require a Single Status Certificate in India for marriage or legal purposes abroad, we are here to help.
✅ Legally Drafted ✅ Properly Attested by SDM ✅ Apostilled by MEA for Global Validity ✅ Delivered Safely to Your Address
Our Blogs
Will the Single Status Certificate or bachelorhood certificate issued in india be valid for your country? Here is how to check authenticity?
Read MoreHow to obtain Single status certificate in India for NRI living abroad
Read MoreBeware of these important details before obtaining bachelorhood Certificate in India for Marriage & Visa abroad
Read MoreFrequent questions of NRIs regarding bachelorhood certificate or single status certificate
Read MoreRelevance of a parental declaration along with bachelorhood certificate or single status certificate
Read MoreCommon Situations Where a Single Status Certificate Apostille Is Require
Read MoreHow to Get Apostille and format for Single Status Certificate?
Read MoreWhat are different names and types of bachelorhood/single status certificate?
Read MoreSingle Status Certificate Attestation in India – Everything NRIs Need to Know
Read MoreSingle Status Certificate Indian Embassy : Everything You Need to Know
Read MoreNeed an Unmarried Certificate? Here's How to Apply Online?
Read MoreHow to Get a Bachelorhood Certificate in India: Step-by-Step Process
Read MoreWhat is the Certificate of Bachelorhood in India?
Read MoreWill the Single Status Certificate or bachelorhood certificate issued in india be valid for your country? Here is how to check authenticity?
A Single Status Certificate (also known as Bachelorhood Certificate, Unmarried Certificate, or Eligibility to Marry Certificate) is an official legal document confirming that the individual is single (never married) and is free to marry.
This certificate is often required when an Indian citizen, NRI (Non-Resident Indian), or OCI cardholder plans to get married outside India. It acts as proof of your current marital status and fulfills the legal requirements of many foreign countries where the marriage is to be registered.
A Single Status Certificate in India becomes legally authentic and internationally valid only when it goes through the proper legal procedure of verification and attestation. Here's how its authenticity is established:
✅ 1. Issuance by Competent Authority (SDM)
The most authentic and widely accepted Single Status Certificate is issued on stamp paper, in the form of an affidavit, and is attested by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the area where the applicant has a permanent or current residence. The SDM’s attestation makes this affidavit an official public document recognized under Indian law.
Why SDM Attestation Matters:
The SDM is a government authority with judicial powers.
Documents attested by SDM are recognized as valid by Indian and foreign governments.
✅ 2. Attestation by State Home Department (Where Required)
In some Indian states, after SDM attestation, the Home Department of the State Government further verifies the authenticity of the certificate. This is not mandatory in all states but is often required before apostille in certain jurisdictions.
✅ 3. Apostille by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India
The ultimate authenticity is established when the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), CPV Division, New Delhi, apostilles or attests the certificate.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a certificate issued by MEA confirming the authenticity of the SDM’s signature and stamp under the Hague Convention of 1961. This makes the certificate legally valid in all Hague Convention countries.
For countries outside the Hague Convention, MEA attestation is still recognized as proof of authenticity.
✅ Legal Status of Apostilled Single Status Certificate
Once apostilled, the certificate is accepted by:
Foreign marriage registration offices
Embassies / Consulates abroad
Immigration authorities
Courts, legal bodies, and government departments overseas
Our Key Advantages:
✅ 36+ years of experience in legal and NRI services
✅ Experts in handling 100+ cases every month for Single Status / Bachelorhood Certificates
✅ Direct liaison with SDMs and State Authorities across India
✅ Complete end-to-end service from drafting to apostille
✅ International courier service to deliver your documents safely to your doorstep
Contact India for NRI for Your Single Status Certificate
If you are an NRI, OCI cardholder, or Indian citizen living abroad and require a Single Status Certificate in India for marriage or legal purposes abroad, we are here to help.
✅ Legally Drafted
✅ Properly Attested by SDM
✅ Apostilled by MEA for Global Validity
✅ Delivered Safely to Your Address