An affidavit of single status certifies that a person is not married and is required for marriage visas. Embassy requirements vary, and additional documentation of the relationship is usually required. It is advisable to seek advice from an immigration lawyer.
An affidavit of single status is a legal document that certifies that the person named in the document is not married. Such documents can be requested from persons applying for marriage visas, to prove that they are free to marry after receiving the visas. Requirements vary, depending on the particular country’s policies, and it is advisable to enlist the services of an immigration lawyer to obtain specific advice to facilitate the immigration process.
Also called a certificate of nullity or a certificate of non-impediment, the affidavit of single status must be brought to an embassy along with other documents required for the visa application. The documentation is carefully reviewed and the applicant is interviewed. If the consular officials are satisfied with the content of the application, a visa may be granted. Under the terms of the visa, the new immigrant generally has to get married within a certain time frame and can then apply for residency status.
Embassy requirements for an affidavit of single status may allow individuals to simply make and sign an affidavit in front of a notary or embassy official, saying they are single and free to marry. In other cases, a search of records proving that a person is not married may be required. Some countries have tightened the rules in response to cases in which already married people have applied for marriage visas. Bigamy is generally not legal and the second marriage will not be valid under the law.
In addition to the single affidavit, people are usually required to provide documentation of the relationship. The spouse acts as a visa sponsor and must also submit documents relating to the relationship and planned marriage and demonstrate that there is a support network for the person who is immigrated. Governments want to avoid cases where people move and then end up applying for government assistance because their marriages fail.
The affidavit of singleness should be kept in a safe place once it has been written, signed and witnessed. People submitting visa applications might consider keeping a duplicate copy of their documents in a safe place in case problems develop. Copies cannot be legally accepted, but they can be used to provide evidence that documentation has been submitted. It is also important to obtain receipts for documents and payments and to confirm that receipts clearly and explicitly state what has been received.
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