California Single Status Affidavit Apostille
Complete 2026 guide to apostilling your California Single Status Affidavit. Learn how to draft, notarize, and apostille your affidavit for marriage abroad, immigration, and residency applications. Includes fees ($20), processing times (1-3 weeks mail, same-day walk-in), and step-by-step instructions.
What is a California Single Status Affidavit?
A Single Status Affidavit (also called an Affidavit of Single Status, Freedom to Marry Affidavit, or No Marriage Certificate) is a sworn statement where you declare under penalty of perjury that you are single, widowed, or divorced and not currently married.
In California, it is typically a personal affidavit that you:
- Draft yourself (or using a consular template provided by the destination country)
- Sign in front of a California notary public (with proper identification)
- Submit for apostille by the California Secretary of State as a notarized document
An apostille is then issued by the California Secretary of State to authenticate the notary's signature and seal, making your affidavit valid for international use in over 140 Hague Convention countries.
Important: An apostille only verifies that the notary is legitimate—it does not verify the truthfulness of your statements in the affidavit.
When Do You Need a Single Status Affidavit Apostille?
You'll need an apostilled California Single Status Affidavit for various international purposes:
- Marriage Abroad: Many countries require official proof you are not already married before allowing you to marry in their jurisdiction.
- Immigration / Residency: Some immigration procedures, especially family-based or partnership visas, require proof of single status or marital history.
- Consular Matters: Name changes, adoption procedures, or inheritance matters where civil status verification is required.
- Religious Marriages: Some religious institutions abroad require proof of single status before performing marriage ceremonies.
- Civil Registry Requirements: Foreign civil registries often need this document for official marriage registration.
Document Requirements
To get an apostille for your Single Status Affidavit, it must meet specific requirements:
- Notarized in California by a California notary public
- Original notarized document (not a photocopy)
- Complete notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat with venue, date, notary signature, commission number, expiry, seal)
- Legible notary seal (clear and readable stamp)
- • Photocopies or scanned copies
- • Affidavits notarized outside California
- • Documents with smudged or incomplete notary seals
- • Missing notary commission information
- • Unsigned affidavits
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these 4 steps to get your California Single Status Affidavit apostilled:
Create a sworn statement including:
- • Full legal name (as in passport)
- • Date and place of birth
- • Current California address
- • Clear statement that you are single/widowed/divorced and not currently married
- • If applicable: brief mention that previous marriage was legally dissolved
- • Destination country where document will be used
- • Statement that it's true under penalty of perjury under California law
Tip: Some consulates provide their own affidavit template—use it when available.
Take your unsigned affidavit and valid ID to a California notary public.
- • Sign in front of the notary (or swear/affirm for jurat)
- • Notary will verify your identity
- • Notary completes California notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat)
- • Notary signs and affixes official seal
Important: Ensure the notary seal is clear and legible—smudged stamps are a common rejection reason.
Gather the following for mail submission:
- • Original notarized Single Status Affidavit
- • Apostille Mail Request Cover Sheet (download from sos.ca.gov)
- • Specify destination country on cover sheet
- • Check or money order for $20 payable to "Secretary of State"
- • Self-addressed return envelope (with tracking recommended)
By Mail (USPS only):
Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
By Courier (FedEx/UPS/DHL):
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Walk-in (Same-day service):
- • Sacramento: 1500 11th St., Sacramento, CA 95814
- • Los Angeles: 300 S. Spring St., Room 12513, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- • Fee: $20 apostille + $6 special handling (for in-person)
Processing: Mail requests: 1-3 weeks. Walk-in: same/next day (subject to capacity).
💡 Pro Tip: Our wizard can generate a complete submission package with pre-filled forms, cover letter, and shipping label in minutes.
Generate My Package →Costs & Processing Time
| Service | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Mail | $20.00 | 1-3 Weeks |
| In-Person (Sacramento) | $20 + $6 special handling | Same Day |
| In-Person (Los Angeles) | $20 + $6 special handling | Same Day |
Note: Processing time does not include mailing time. Add 3-5 business days for round-trip mail delivery. In-person service subject to daily capacity limits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors that cause delays or rejections:
- Affidavit not notarized in California: CA SOS can only apostille documents notarized in California.
- Sending photocopies: Only original notarized affidavits are accepted.
- Missing destination country: Cover sheet must state the country where document will be used.
- Illegible notary seal: Smudged or incomplete stamps are a common rejection reason.
- Incomplete notarial certificate: Missing venue, date, commission number, or expiry information.
- Wrong payment: Check/money order must be payable to "Secretary of State" with correct amount.
- Wrong address type: USPS mail goes to P.O. Box; courier/carrier goes to 1500 11th St.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an apostille valid?
The apostille itself does not expire. However, the receiving country may have requirements about how recent the document must be. Most countries accept apostilles issued within the last 3-6 months.
Who can request a Single Status Affidavit?
California restricts access to Single Status Affidavits. Eligible requestors include immediate family members, legal representatives, persons with a legal interest, or those authorized by court order. You may need to provide proof of relationship.
Do I draft the affidavit myself?
Yes. In California you draft your own Single Status Affidavit. Some foreign consulates provide templates - use them if available. Otherwise, include your personal information, marital status statement, and sign under penalty of perjury.
Which countries accept apostilled affidavits?
Over 140 countries that are Hague Convention members accept apostilles. Common destinations for marriage abroad: Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Spain, France, UK. Check if your destination country is a Hague member before proceeding.
Can I use an out-of-state notary?
No. To receive a California apostille, your affidavit MUST be notarized by a California notary public. If notarized elsewhere, you must apply for apostille from that state's authority.
Can someone else submit on my behalf?
Yes. Anyone can submit an apostille request once you have the certified Single Status Affidavit. There are no restrictions on who can apply for the apostille itself.
What countries accept apostilles?
Over 140 countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilles. This includes most European countries, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and many others. Check the official Hague Conference website for the complete list.
How do I track my submission?
Use certified mail with tracking when sending your documents. This allows you to confirm delivery. For status updates, you can call the California Secretary of State at (916) 653-3595.
Expert Verified
Reviewed by Amelia Rivera, Document Processing Specialist
Source: California Secretary of State and California Department of Public Health official documentation
Verification Log
- ✅ 2025-11-25 — Verified
- ✅ 2025-10-15 — Verified
- ✅ 2025-09-20 — Verified