Notarize a Single Status Affidavit Online: 2026 Guide
If you need to prove that you are legally free to marry, you may be asked for a single status affidavit. In many cases, an eligible affidavit can be notarized online, but the destination country, consulate, registrar, or other receiving authority decides the required wording and whether it will accept remote online notarization.
What Is a Single Status Affidavit?
A single status affidavit is a sworn statement in which a person declares facts about their current marital status. It may also be called an affidavit of single status, affidavit of marital status, certificate of no impediment, or statement of freedom to marry. These terms are not always interchangeable, so use the document name and wording required by the receiving authority.
The affidavit is commonly requested for marriage abroad, immigration-related files, dual-nationality matters, or other international administrative procedures.
What Does the Notary Verify?
The notary does not independently investigate whether you are single and does not issue a government certificate of marital status. For an affidavit using a jurat, the notary identifies the signer, administers an oath or affirmation, witnesses the signature, and completes the notarial certificate.
If your form contains an acknowledgment instead, the notarial act is different. Do not choose or replace certificate wording without instructions from the document's recipient or qualified legal counsel.
Information Commonly Included
Requirements vary, but a single status affidavit may request:
- Your full legal name and current address
- Your date and place of birth
- A statement that you are single and legally free to marry
- Details of any prior marriage, divorce, annulment, or spouse's death
- The intended country or purpose of use
- Your signature and the date of signing
Use the recipient's approved form when one is provided. A notary generally cannot draft the affidavit or advise you what legal claims to include.
How to Notarize a Single Status Affidavit Online
- Confirm acceptance. Ask the foreign authority, consulate, registrar, or document processor whether it accepts a remotely notarized electronic document.
- Obtain the correct form. Confirm the exact wording, notarial certificate, document language, and any date restrictions.
- Prepare identification. Have a valid government-issued photo ID and any other identity evidence requested by the online notary.
- Follow signing instructions. Because an affidavit commonly requires an oath or affirmation, do not sign prematurely if the notary must witness the signature.
- Complete the online notarization. Follow the service's identity and signing process, then receive the completed electronic document.
- Complete post-notarization steps. If required, arrange apostille or authentication, certified translation, or submission to the appropriate authority.
Online Notarization vs Proof of No Marriage Record
| Document | What It Shows | Who Provides It |
|---|---|---|
| Single status affidavit | Your sworn statement about your marital status | You sign it; a notary performs the requested notarial act |
| No-marriage-record search or certificate | A government office found no marriage record in the searched jurisdiction and period | A state, county, or other records authority where available |
| Divorce decree or death certificate | Evidence that a previous marriage ended | The relevant court or vital-records office |
The receiving authority may require one or several of these documents. A notarized affidavit does not replace an official record unless the recipient expressly accepts it.
Do You Need an Apostille or Authentication?
If the affidavit will be used outside the United States, the recipient may require an apostille or authentication after notarization. This is a separate process that verifies the notary's commission or the public official's signature; it does not verify whether the affidavit's statements are true.
Ask which country will receive the document, whether it participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, whether state or federal processing applies, and whether a translation must be certified or notarized.
What to Prepare for Online Notarization
- The complete single status affidavit in the required format
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Any recipient instructions or required certificate wording
- A reliable device, internet connection, camera, and microphone if the platform requires them
- A plan for any apostille, authentication, translation, or legalization step
How Much Does Online Notarization Cost?
Online notary pricing varies by provider, state rules, number of signers, number of notarial acts, and added services. Notary20's established offer is only $20 per document for eligible documents. Apostille, authentication, translation, shipping, or government-record fees are separate if needed.
For a broader comparison, see Online Notary Cost in the U.S.
Start Your Online Notarization
After confirming that your receiving authority accepts the document and notarization method, submit your completed single status affidavit and identification for review.
FAQ
Can a single status affidavit be notarized online?
It may be eligible for online notarization, but the receiving authority controls whether a remotely notarized electronic document is acceptable.
Should I sign the affidavit before notarization?
Follow the notary's instructions. If the affidavit requires a jurat, the notary typically administers an oath or affirmation and witnesses the signature.
Does notarization prove that I am single?
No. The notary verifies the signer and performs the requested notarial act; the notary does not search marriage records or certify the truth of the statement.
Is a single status affidavit the same as a certificate of no impediment?
Not always. Names, issuers, and legal effects vary by country and authority. Ask the recipient exactly which document it requires.
Will I need an apostille?
Possibly. International use may require an apostille, authentication, legalization, or translation after notarization. Confirm the destination country's requirements before starting.