How to Prepare a Nigerian Single Status Affidavit for Marriage Abroad

Nigerians living abroad who wish to marry in their country of residence are typically required to provide proof of unmarried status from Nigeria. The Single Status Affidavit is the foundational document for this requirement.

This guide explains what the document is, when it is required, and the process for obtaining it.

What Is a Single Status Affidavit?

A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn legal document confirming that a person has never been legally married in Nigeria. It is made under oath at a Nigerian High Court before a Commissioner for Oaths.

The document is titled according to gender:

Affidavit of Bachelorhood for men
Affidavit of Spinsterhood for women

When Is This Document Required?

Foreign immigration authorities and marriage registries require this document to verify that a Nigerian citizen is legally free to marry. Common scenarios include:

Civil marriage registration in European countries (Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, UK)
Marriage visa applications (K-1 fiance visa to USA, spouse visa to UK, partner visa to Canada)
Marriage registration in the Middle East, Asia, and other regions
Any immigration or civil process where proof of unmarried status from the home country is mandatory

Who Can Swear This Affidavit?

For Nigerians living abroad, the recommended approach is to have a parent in Nigeria swear the affidavit on their behalf.

This is the standard practice because foreign authorities may question the authenticity of a document that shows you were physically present in Nigeria when your residence records indicate otherwise. A parent-deposed affidavit avoids this issue.

The deponent (the parent) declares under oath that their child has never been married and is free to marry.

The Process Overview

Obtaining a valid Single Status Affidavit for use abroad involves three main steps:

Step 1: Swearing the Affidavit

The completed affidavit must be sworn at a Nigerian High Court before a Commissioner for Oaths. The deponent presents identification, pays the court fee, takes the oath, and signs the document. The Commissioner then signs, stamps, and dates the affidavit.

Step 2: Obtaining the Single Status Certificate

After swearing, the affidavit is submitted to the Local Government Area (LGA) council. The LGA reviews the sworn affidavit and issues a Single Status Certificate (also called Letter of Bachelorhood or Letter of Spinsterhood).

Step 3: Authentication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Both the sworn affidavit and the Single Status Certificate must be authenticated at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. This step is mandatory for documents intended for use abroad. Most foreign authorities will not accept unauthenticated Nigerian documents.

For detailed information on the authentication process, see our guide on Authentication of Single Status Certificate in Nigeria.

Document Requirements

The affidavit must follow the standard format accepted by Nigerian High Courts. Key elements include:

Court header identifying the High Court and judicial division
Appropriate title (Bachelorhood or Spinsterhood)
Deponent identification with full personal details and Nigerian address
Declaration paragraphs establishing relationship and confirming single status
Oath statement
Signature blocks for deponent and Commissioner for Oaths

Errors in format, inconsistent information, or missing elements can result in rejection by foreign authorities.

Additional Requirements by Country

Some countries have specific additional requirements:

Translation: Some countries (e.g. Italy) may require certified translation into the local language
Validity period: Requirements vary; some authorities accept documents up to 6 months old, others require more recent issuance

Confirm the specific requirements with your host country’s marriage registry or immigration authority before proceeding.