Senegal - Obtain Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy

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Procedure

Apply In Person (Non – citizen)

1. To Single Status Certificate / Certificate of Marital Status, the applicant has to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affair – link
2. The applicant has to visit the office and submit the affidavit letter.
3. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
4. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
5. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
6. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
7. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
8. The applicant has to pay the fee as per the authority’s request.
9. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
10. Then the application will be processed further. All the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS to the applicant’s mobile number.
11. Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
12. The applicant will receive the certificate through mail.
13. This entire process can be completed within 15 – 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

• An extract of birth certificate or a valid identity document

Office Locations & Contacts

National Centre for Civil Registration
Centre national d'tat civil (CNEC)
Department of Planning and Local Government (MATCL)
Dieuppeul Derkl Alles Khalifa Ababacar Sy - Dakar
Phone: 33 869 47 01
Fax: 33 869 47 33

Senegalese representations abroad

Eligibility

The person (s) or his agent can apply for this document.

In order for non-nationals to marry in a foreign country you will most likely be required to produce legal documentation from your country of citizenship verifying single status and that you are free to marry. This is known as a 'Certificate of No Impediment', 'Certificate de Coutume', 'Certificate of Nulla Osta' or a 'Certificate of Freedom to Marry'.

Fees

Administrative fee to obtain a Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy varies depending on the locality issuing the certificate:

• In municipalities, the amount to be paid ranges between 200 to 500 FCFA
• In rural communities, the amount to be paid ranges between 75 to 150 FCFA

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

The Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy will be issued on the same day the request was filed.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

Individuals who wish to obtain a Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy may apply in person or he may appoint a representative to obtain the certificate on his behalf.

Applications to obtain a Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy are filed at the vital centre where the birth of the person concerned is registered.

Required Information

• Full Name
• Passport or ID number
• Place and Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Statement
• Date
• Signature of the person who declares
• Signature of the witnesses

Need for the Document

The certificate of celibacy is a document issued by an officer of civil status to prove that a person is not married.

Overseas marriage authorities often require further evidence that the party is free to marry. Such evidence may be a statement from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that there is no record of the person having been previously married or a 'Single Status Certificate' or 'No Records Result'.

Following are procedures on how to obtain a Single Status Certificate/Certificate of Celibacy.

Information which might help

It is issued at the registry office where the applicant's birth was registered.

Please also be aware that a standard Single Status Certificate or Certificate of No Impediment may be insufficient on its own to allow a marriage to take place in a foreign country. You may be required by the foreign authorities to comply with the following, so please ensure that you allow sufficient time for processing.

• Certificates may need to be translated.
• Certificates may need to be endorsed or exchanged for a locally acceptable version issued by your Embassy or Consulate in the country where you will marry.
• Certificates may need to be legalized i.e. stamped with an official stamp known as an Apostille.
• Certificates may require that witnesses swear an Affidavit stating that you are free to marry and that this is appended.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

The Bride & Groom to be married must provide from their country of Citizenship, individual Certificates of non impediment or Certificate of Single Status/Sworn Affidavit, as proof that they are both indeed single and eligible to marry. This is also called an affidavit of single status or negative statement of marriage. This document can be obtained at the Bureau of Vital statistics in their city they reside.

External Links

• Senegal Public Service Website:

http://www.servicepublic.gouv.sn/index.php/demarche_administrative/demarche/1/246/4/56

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Government of Senegal

Embassies and consulates of Senegal in the world

Others

If you are planning to marry in another country, you may be required to obtain a Certificate of Non-Impediment. This document has many different names such as Declaration of Non-Impediment to Marry, Statutory Declaration of Single Status, Affidavit of Intended Marriage, Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad, Certificate de Coutume, a Certificate of No Impediment, Certificate of Nulla Osta, Certificate of Freedom to Marry or just free to marry.

Request a certificate of celibacy

It is advisable to follow the guidelines that certain authorities deem necessary. Those wishing to marry overseas will need special documentation. First, couples will have to present a declaration that is processed by your local office where marriage documents are produced. This must be from the state where you live in Senegal. On this statement will be recorded the fact that there has not be any marriage in recent years.

Due to the fact that these types of documents are sought for foreign involvement one will need the local or state registrars account or declaration to be authenticated to work abroad.

• Go to the Civil Registry office where marriages are registered.
• Present and submit required documents.
• Complete a form and declare.
• Pay the fee.