Single Status Affidavit Form Template for the United States

A Single Status Affidavit Form is a sworn legal document that provides official proof of your unmarried status under United States law. This notarized affidavit declares that you are legally single, either never having been married or having had all previous marriages legally dissolved through divorce or annulment. The document serves as evidence of your eligibility to marry and is recognized by both domestic and international authorities.

How do you get an affidavit of single status?

You can complete the process in a few clear steps. First, draft the affidavit using this template and fill in your full legal name, date of birth, and current address exactly as they appear on your passport or state ID. Second, add your marital history, including the dates any previous marriage ended. Third, sign the affidavit in front of a licensed notary public, who verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. Many banks, shipping centers, and law offices offer notary services, and some destination countries will accept online notarization. Fourth, if the document is for use in another country, request an apostille from your state Secretary of State, or arrange embassy or consular legalization for countries outside the Hague Convention. Once notarized and, where needed, apostilled, you have a completed single status certificate ready to submit.

When do you need this document?

You'll need a Single Status Affidavit when applying to marry abroad, as many foreign countries require proof that American citizens are legally free to marry. Immigration attorneys frequently use these affidavits for K-1 fiance visa applications and other marriage-based immigration proceedings. International adoption agencies may require this document to verify the marital status of prospective adoptive parents. Some states also accept these affidavits for marriage license applications when standard documentation is unavailable, and certain employment situations abroad may require marital status verification for a visa or work permit.

What should a single status affidavit include?

A complete affidavit usually contains the following elements:

• Your full legal name, date of birth, and current residential address
• A clear statement that you are single and have no existing marriage
• Details of any prior marriages and the dates they ended by divorce, annulment, or death of a spouse
• A declaration that the statement is made under penalty of perjury
• Your signature and the date of signing
• The notary public's acknowledgment, seal, and commission details

If you need a related declaration, you can also browse other sworn documents in the affidavit template collection.

Documents often requested alongside the affidavit

Destination countries and embassies frequently ask for supporting records in addition to the single status affidavit. Knowing the full list before you apply saves a second round of trips to the notary and the Secretary of State.

• Apostille or legalization: issued by your state Secretary of State for Hague Convention members, or embassy legalization for non-member destination countries
• Certified copy of any prior marriage certificate: often required to confirm a previous marriage was legally ended
• Divorce decree or death certificate: evidence that an earlier marriage was dissolved
• FBI background check: some countries request an FBI background check (also apostilled) alongside proof of single status
• Copy of your passport or state ID: to confirm the identity details match the affidavit

What are the key legal considerations?

The most important feature of a Single Status Affidavit is that it is a sworn statement made under penalty of perjury. Providing false information can lead to federal and state criminal charges, so accuracy is essential. Your personal details must match your government identification exactly, and any previous marriages must be disclosed with correct dissolution dates. The supporting facts section should set out relevant residence history and circumstances that substantiate your single status. This document creates a permanent legal record, so review it carefully before signing.

Legal requirements in the United States

Under United States law, a Single Status Affidavit must comply with both federal constitutional provisions and state rules. The document must be notarized by a licensed notary public according to your state's Notary Public Act, which generally calls for valid identification and the affiant's physical presence. Federal perjury statutes govern the truthfulness obligation, while state marriage laws define what counts as single status in your jurisdiction. For international use, you may need an apostille under the Hague Convention, coordinated with your state Secretary of State, or embassy legalization where the destination country is not a Convention member. The Full Faith and Credit Clause means a properly executed affidavit from one state is recognized in other states.