Certificate of No Record of Marriage: What It Is and How to Get One in the USA

If you need to prove that you’ve never been married—or that there is no official record of your marriage in the United States—you may need a Certificate. This document is often required for legal procedures abroad, including international marriage, immigration, or visa applications.

In this article, we explain what this Certificate is, how to get it, and how Notary Public Center can assist you throughout the entire process, incluning the apostille services if needed.

What Is a Certificate of No Record of Marriage?

A Certificate, also called a Single Status Certificate or Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage, is an official document that confirms that no marriage record was found for a specific individual in a specific U.S. state.

It is commonly used for:

1. Getting married abroad.
2. Immigration processes (such as fiancé or spouse visa applications).
3. Legalizing civil status in a foreign country.

Who Issues the Certificate?

In the United States, this certificate is typically issued by the Vital Records Office or State Department of Health in the state where the person would have been married.

It’s important to note that this certificate does not state that you are single, but that no record of marriage has been found in that jurisdiction. Some countries or institutions may require a notarized declaration or an affidavit of single status in addition to, or instead of, this certificate.

How to Get a Certificate of No Record of Marriage in the USA

Step 1: Identify the State

You must request the certificate from the state where a marriage record would exist—often your state of residence or birth.

Step 2: Submit a Formal Request

At Notary Public Center, we submit the request for you all we need is for you to provide the following information:

1. Full legal name
2. Date of birth
3. Years to be searched
4. Purpose of the certificate
5. Valid photo ID

Step 3: Pay the Applicable Fees

Each state has its own fees, at Notary Public Center, we offer different services depending on whether you need an apostille or not, ask us about our service options.

Step 4: Apostille (if needed)

If the document will be used outside the U.S., it may require

At Notary Public Center, we help clients notarize and apostille this certificate for use in countries like Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Venezuela, and more.

How Long Does It Take to Receive the Certificate?

Processing times vary by state. Standard processing can take 2 to 6 weeks.

If you’re in a hurry, Notary Public Center offers express service in some case especially for clients in Florida.

Do You Need a Certificate of No Record of Marriage for Immigration?

Yes. Many immigration cases, especially for fiancé or spouse visas, require proof of marital status. This certificate is a common requirement when marrying a foreign citizen or proving eligibility for immigration benefits.

We help clients complete this process quickly and correctly, ensuring the document is accepted by the U.S. government or foreign consulates.