Single Status Affidavits for International Marriages
Single Status Affidavit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A Complete Apostille Guide
If you’re planning to get married abroad, you’ll likely be asked to provide a Single Status Affidavit — a document confirming you’re legally free to marry.
At our Philadelphia notary and apostille office, we’ve seen a sharp increase in requests for this document, especially from clients preparing for international marriage or visa applications. Below, we’ll explain exactly what a Single Status Affidavit is, how to get it notarized and apostilled in Pennsylvania, and how our firm can help streamline the process from start to finish.
What Is a Single Status Affidavit?
A Single Status Affidavit (sometimes called a Certificate of No Record of Marriage) is a sworn statement made by an individual declaring that they have never been married — or that any previous marriage has been legally dissolved.
In most cases, this document is required by a foreign government before approving a marriage license abroad.
A typical affidavit includes:
Your full legal name
Place of birth and current residence
Citizenship status
A statement confirming your single status
While templates can vary by country, the affidavit’s purpose remains the same: to prove that you are free to marry and that there are no legal obstacles, such as age restrictions or previous marriages, preventing you from doing so.
Step 1: Notarizing Your Single Status Affidavit
Before a Single Status Affidavit can be used internationally, it must be notarized by a commissioned notary public.
At our Philadelphia notary office, we can notarize your affidavit in person or electronically. However, we strongly recommend a wet-ink notarization, as electronic notarization is not accepted by all foreign authorities.
When notarizing, we are verifying your identity and signature as the affiant (the person making the declaration). This step is vital, as the notarization confirms that you personally appeared before a licensed notary public in Pennsylvania.
Step 2: Apostille Certification in Pennsylvania
Once your Single Status Affidavit is notarized, it must then be authenticated with an apostille issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg.
The apostille is an internationally recognized certification that verifies:
The notary’s commission is valid and in good standing in the State of Pennsylvania, and
The notarization was performed correctly under state law.
The apostille certificate is attached to your original affidavit — typically stapled together — confirming that your document is genuine and ready for use overseas.
Our office regularly submits documents for apostille processing in Harrisburg, ensuring your paperwork is handled quickly, correctly, and with full legal validity.
Step 3: Translation Services (If Required)
Many foreign authorities require that your documents be translated into their country’s official language.
We offer both certified and sworn translations of Single Status Affidavits and apostilles, ensuring your documents meet the specific language and legal requirements of your destination country.
If needed, we can also notarize your translated documents for complete international acceptance.
How We Help — From Start to Finish
At our Philadelphia notary and apostille office, we make the Single Status Affidavit process easy and stress-free:
Prepare your document – Use a reputable template (we can guide you to one).
Notarize with us – In person or online; we handle both options.
We submit for apostille – Processing typically takes 2–4 business days, with rush service available.
Receive your finalized document – You can pick it up, have it scanned and emailed, or we’ll ship it to you directly.
We have successfully processed hundreds of Single Status Affidavits this year for clients across all 50 states, many of whom needed them for marriage abroad in Korea, Italy, Mexico, and other countries — all without a single rejection.
Why Choose Our Philadelphia Notary Office
Experienced with international documentation — Apostilles, single status affidavits, powers of attorney, and more.
Fast and reliable — Standard turnaround in 2–5 business days; expedited 24 hour options available.
Trusted by clients worldwide — We assist individuals from Pennsylvania and across the U.S.
Comprehensive services — Notarization, apostille processing, translation, and document delivery all in one place.
Visit or Contact Us
We’re conveniently located in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
📍 Address: 12 East Highland Avenue, Suite 203, Philadelphia, PA 19118 - Appointments Only
🚗 Parking: Rear of the building - Free on weekends
🚪 Entrance: Behind Miracle Ear and Chestnut Hill Eye Associates
📞 Call/Text: +1 - 215-892-2680
📧 Email: contact@philanotary.com
Whether you’re preparing for a wedding abroad or need guidance on apostille requirements, our team is here to help every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment or to learn more about how we can help you notarize and apostille your Single Status Affidavit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.