Obtain an unmarried certificate required by some states and embassies before marriage registration.
Jurisdiction
State-level (issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Executive Magistrate or Notary; procedure varies by state)
Who applies
Indian citizens who need to declare and prove their unmarried / single status for purposes such as international marriage registration (e.g., at a foreign embassy in India), visa applications, marriage to a foreign national, or marriage registration in another country
Typical time
1–7 working days at the SDM office; same day or next day if done through a notary
Fee
₹50–₹500 at the SDM office depending on the state; notary fees range from ₹200–₹1,000
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duly filled application / affidavit in the prescribed format | Download / Print | The applicant or a lawyer drafts an affidavit on stamp paper (₹10–₹100 as applicable in the state) declaring that the applicant has never been married. The affidavit must be signed in front of the SDM or a Notary. |
| 2 | Aadhaar Card | Self-attested Copy | Primary identity and address proof of the applicant; required to establish the applicant's identity and current place of residence under the SDM's jurisdiction |
| 3 | Birth Certificate or age proof (passport, PAN card, school leaving certificate) | Self-attested Copy | Confirms the applicant's date of birth and name; proves the applicant is above the legal age of marriage |
| 4 | Passport (bio-data page)(optional)Mandatory when the certificate is intended for use at a foreign embassy, consulate, or for visa / immigration purposes | Self-attested Copy | Required when the certificate is being used for embassy or visa purposes; the name on the certificate must exactly match the name on the passport |
| 5 | Divorce Decree from a competent court(optional)Only for divorcees; the certificate will then state 'divorced and currently unmarried' | Self-attested Copy | Required for divorcees applying for an 'unmarried' certificate — establishes that the previous marriage has been legally dissolved |
| 6 | Death Certificate of former spouse(optional)Only for widows and widowers | Self-attested Copy | Required for widows or widowers who need to prove they are unmarried following the death of a spouse |
| 7 | Two witnesses with valid photo ID (if SDM requires witnesses)(optional)Required at SDM offices that mandate witness attestation; not required if certificate is obtained from a notary | Original | Some SDM offices require two witnesses (neighbours, friends, or relatives) to appear and verify the applicant's marital status; witnesses must carry original ID proof |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Get an affidavit drafted by a local lawyer or legal document typist, or draft it yourself using a standard template. The affidavit must state: applicant's full name, date of birth, parentage, current address, and a declaration that the applicant has never been married (or is divorced / widowed, as applicable). It should state the purpose for which the certificate is sought. The affidavit must be typed in English (and the regional language if required by the state) and printed on non-judicial stamp paper of the denomination prescribed by the state (typically ₹10–₹100).
Visit the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in your district / subdivision, or visit a registered notary public. Submit the draft affidavit along with self-attested copies of identity, age proof, address proof, and any applicable divorce / death certificates. Some SDM offices have a dedicated counter for affidavit-based certificates. Some states have online portals (e.g., Delhi's e-District portal) where you can upload the application and supporting documents.
Appear in person before the SDM or the notary on the appointed date. The officer will verify your identity from the original documents. You must sign the affidavit in the presence of the officer and affirm that its contents are true. If witnesses are required, they must also appear and sign. The officer then signs and seals (notarises or magistrially attests) the affidavit.
Pay the fee (₹50–₹500 at the SDM office; ₹200–₹1,000 at a notary) and collect the signed and sealed certificate. If applying via the state e-District portal, download the digitally signed certificate once the status shows 'Issued'. Verify all details — your name (as per passport if applicable), date of birth, and the officer's signature and seal — for accuracy before leaving.
If the bachelorhood certificate is required for submission to a foreign embassy or for use in another country, it must undergo attestation and apostille. Step 1: Get the SDM-issued certificate attested by the State Home Department (or Notary Attestation Division). Step 2: Submit the state-attested document to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Apostille Section in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, or Guwahati. Apostille is required for countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention (1961). For non-Hague countries, embassy attestation is required instead.
Revenue / General Administration Department, State Government
Steps 2–4 — receiving the application, verifying identity and documents, and issuing the certificate
The primary issuing authority for bachelorhood / unmarried certificates in most states. The SDM signs and seals the affidavit, converting it into an official certificate.
Registered Notary under the Notaries Act, 1952 (Ministry of Law and Justice)
Steps 2–4 — as an alternative to the SDM; issues notarised certificate
A government-registered notary public can notarise the affidavit, making it legally valid for most domestic purposes. However, a notarised certificate may not be accepted by all foreign embassies, which often require SDM or higher-level attestation.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Step 5 — apostilling the certificate for use abroad
Applies the Apostille stamp or embassy attestation on the state-attested certificate, making it legally recognised in foreign jurisdictions.
Apply online for an unmarried / bachelorhood certificate from the SDM's office in Delhi, upload documents, and download the digitally signed certificate.
Apply for apostille of the bachelorhood certificate when it is required for use in foreign countries party to the Hague Convention.
Apply for the certificate via Jan Seva Kendra or CSC in states that route SDM certificates through the CSC network.
Different foreign embassies have different requirements: some accept only an SDM-issued certificate apostilled by MEA; some insist on a 'No Impediment to Marriage' (NIM) letter from the District Collector; a few accept notarised affidavits. Confirm requirements directly with the embassy before applying, to avoid wasted effort.
If the certificate is for foreign / embassy use, the name, date of birth, and address on the certificate must be an exact character-for-character match with the passport. Even minor spelling differences (e.g., 'Mohammed' vs 'Mohammad') can cause rejection at the embassy.
A notarised affidavit carries legal weight in India but is frequently rejected by foreign embassies, who require a government-issued certificate signed by a magistrate, attested by the State Home Department, and apostilled by MEA. Start with the SDM route if you know the certificate will be used abroad.
The affidavit must be drafted on non-judicial stamp paper of the correct denomination as specified by the state. An affidavit on plain A4 paper is not legally valid and will be rejected by the SDM or notary.
Most embassies and foreign authorities accept bachelorhood certificates issued within 3–6 months of the intended wedding date. Some insist on a certificate issued within 90 days. Check the specific validity window required by the receiving authority and time your application accordingly.