If you’ve been asked to get a single status certificate apostille to prove you’re single, you’ll need to first obtain your single status certificate. Then you will need to have your certificate apostilled. Getting an “apostille” on a document in Canada means you will submit the document to an apostille authority to have the signature verified. The apostille process can be complicated, which is why many choose to work with International Documents Canada, one of the country’s leading document apostille services.
Following you will find important information about having your single status certificate apostilled in Canada.
What Exactly is a Single Status Certificate?
A single status certificate is a term for a document issued by your country of residence that reflects your marital status. Canada does not issue Single Status Certificates. Therefore, you will need to determine which of the available types of single status documents will be acceptable for your situation.
There are three different types of documents issued in Canada to prove you’re single, they are: a single status declaration, a provincial marriage search certificate, or a statement in lieu of non-impediment of marriage abroad. The most commonly requested and used single status document is the single status declaration.
What Are the Differences Between the Three Single Status Documents Mentioned Above?
The difference between the three single status documents we mentioned above are their intended use. You’ll need to review what country the document will be used in and what the requirements are to be sure you’ve obtained the proper one. A list of embassies and their requirements can be found here. But the final authority on what type of single status certificate is acceptable is the party to whom you will be submitting your documents. We strongly recommend confirming in advance what type of single status document is acceptable in your specific situation.
Why Do I Need to Apostille My Single Status Document?
The apostille process is used to certify the authenticity of a document from one apostille signatory country so that it will be officially recognized in another apostille signatory country. If you have been asked to apostille your single status document before sending it overseas, this is to ensure it will be officially recognized as legitimate.
What Are The Steps Canada’s Apostille Process?
Canada’s document apostille process has two or three steps:
Step One: Document Preparation
Before submitting documents for the apostille process, you will need to ensure that they meet the requirements of all parties: the applicable apostille office, the person or organization who will be receiving your processed documents, and for non-apostille countries, the relevant embassy or consulate who will be legalizing your documents. Preparation can involve notarization, having the document translated, or providing various supporting documents.
Step Two: Apostille
After obtaining the proper single status document and carefully preparing it, it will then need to be submitted to the appropriate apostille authority for the apostille. The apostille authorities function on a jurisdictional basis dependent upon the origins of the document or its notarization. The apostille authority will review your document, and if satisfied, will place a certificate of apostille directly on the document.
Step Three: Legalization
If the single status document will be used in a country that is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, it will need one further step of document legalization. After having your single status document apostilled, it will then need to be legalized by the embassy or consulate of the country where it’s intended to be used. The relevant embassy or consulate will review your apostilled document and if they find all is well, they’ll add a stamp, sticker or certificate to your document, confirming it has been legalized.
Contact us today for single status certificate apostille services
If you need to prove your status as single in a country outside Canada, contact us online today or call 1 (888) 433-1011.
