An affidavit of Single Status in South Africa is a self-declaration, given by the individual under oath, in which they declare facts about their civil status. It serves as a sworn statement that a person is free to marry and has no legal marital obligations that would prevent such a union. This document is often required for various official and legal purposes, including employment processes, international marriage, visa applications, and property transactions.
Types of Single Status Documents Available in South Africa
There are two types of documents available to support your single status:
- Single Status Affidavit: A Single status affidavit is a written statement in which you declare that you are single. It is typically prepared by you and then notarised by a South African notary public. It usually includes your full name, date of birth and address, as well as a statement confirming that you are currently single and not married. This document provides a sworn statement of your marital status that can be used as proof when required.
- Letter of Non-Impediment: A Letter of Non-Impediment is a government certificate issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs that confirms an individual’s current marital status. It states your marital status as recorded in the Department of Home Affairs’ records, e.g. single, married, divorced or widowed, and is valid for three months from the date of issue.
Choosing the Right Document
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to single status documents. The specific type required depends on the recipient’s requirements. Consider the following factors:
- Purpose of the document (marriage abroad, visa application, etc.)
- Requirements of the receiving country or institution
- Your personal circumstances (e.g., previous marriages)
Always confirm with the requesting party to ensure you provide the correct documentation
Purpose of an Affidavit of Single Status
International Marriage Requirements
Many countries require a foreign national to provide proof that they are legally single before they can enter into marriage. This affidavit ensures that the individual is not already legally bound to another person in their home country.
Visa and Immigration Applications
Some visa applications necessitate proof of single status, particularly for spousal or fiancé visas. Immigration authorities may request this document to verify eligibility for a marriage-based visa.
Legal and Business Transactions
In certain jurisdictions, an Affidavit of Single Status is needed for legal and business dealings, such as property purchases, inheritance claims, and financial agreements.
How to Obtain an Affidavit of Single Status in South Africa
Where to Request the Document
The affidavit can typically be obtained from a notary public or other designated government agency, depending on the jurisdiction.
When applying for an Affidavit of Single Status, the following information is usually required:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Current address
- A sworn statement declaring that the individual has never been married or is legally divorced/widowed
- Signature in the presence of a notary public
Single Status Affidavit template
Affidavit of Single Status
I ______________________________residing at ___________________________________ personally appeared before the undersigned notary public, and under oath or affirmation make the following statements:
I was born on ___________ at _______________. I am a citizen of ______________________ My passport number is ________________. I am currently single, have never been married (or was divorced/widowed on ______________________and have never been remarried since).
X ______________________________________ ____________________________
Signature of Deponent
Date:
City: ___________________
Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this _____ day of ___________, 20_____
by ___________________________________________________ who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual who appeared before me.
__ Personally Known or ___ Produced Identification
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
_____________________________________
Notary Public Signature
Legalisation of an Affidavit of Single Status for international use
The requirement for authenticating and legalizing your single status documents depends on the specific country or institution where you plan to use them. The process of authentication and legalization, also known as apostille or legalization, is used to verify the authenticity of a document for international use.
To authenticate and legalize your single status documents, the general process involves the following steps:
- Notarization: Ensure that your single status documents are notarized by a South African Notary Public. This step confirms the authenticity of the documents.
- High court Authentication: After the Notary Public has provided his or her seal and enclosed your document under a Notarial Certificate, the documents are provided to the High Court which will confirm that the Notary Public is duly admitted as such within the Republic of South Africa. Having documents notarised by a Notary Public and thereafter obtaining a High Court Apostille allows such document to be officially accepted in another country if the country in question is a signatory to the Hague Convention (most foreign countries are).
Do you have any questions?
Global Apostille is a Pretoria-based legalisation agency that assists corporations and individuals in getting document translation, notarisation, apostilles and embassy legalisation services in South Africa. We make the legalisation and apostille of South African documents simple for our clients.
Understanding that document legalisation can be challenging and time-consuming, our main aim is to ensure our clients feel at ease. Our goal is to lessen this load by offering top-notch translation, notarisation, apostilles services at reasonable rates, without any hidden charges.
Global Apostille can handle various types of documents on your behalf such as Affidavit of Single Status. Our service offers a comprehensive solution, ensuring both official translation and legalisation processes are straightforward. If you want to know more about our services, feel free to get in touch with us.
So, what’s next?
Not sure what you need? Contact us at Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za for a free quote, otherwise, call us on 012 348 3134 | 081 347 6060 to speak with our friendly team about your requirements
