Single status certificate

A single status certificate certifies that you have not been married in NSW during a specified period.

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Online certificate ordering and online registrations systems unavailable

Due to scheduled maintenance, our online certificate ordering, birth registration system and family history services will be unavailable from 7pm to 12am, Monday 9 December 2024. We apologise for any inconvenience. 

New certificate paper

From 2 August 2021, all of our certificates will be printed on new security paper.


You may require a single status certificate if you intend to be married overseas or if you're returning to your country of residence to be married.

Important: Do not laminate your certificates. Identity documents must be kept in their original state to be accepted by Government agencies.

How to apply

Who can apply

You can apply for single status certificate if you are:

  • a NSW resident
  • a previous NSW resident
  • an authorised representative.

A single status certificate only covers the period in which you are a resident of NSW.

Before you apply for a single status certificate, check with the consulate, embassy or local representative of the country in which you wish to marry to understand their legal requirements.

You may be required to get your single status certificate authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Proof of identity

You must provide a least 3 forms of current identity, one of each from Categories 1, 2 and 3.

  • If you cannot provide proof of identity from Categories 1 and 2, you must still provide at least 3 forms of identity. At least two of these must be from Category 3.
  • If cannot meet these requirements, please contact us for further advice.

Category

Documents

1

​If born in Australia:

  • An Australian birth certificate

Record of immigration status:

  • Citizenship certificate
  • New Zealand citizenship certificate together with passport
  • New Zealand birth certificate

2

  • ​Australia's driver's licence
  • Australian passport
  • Firearms licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Proof of age card

3

  • ​Medicare card
  • Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
  • Security/Crowd control licence
  • Tertiary education institution ID card

4

  • ​Recent utility account with current residential address (issued within last 3 months)
Fees

The fee depends on the period of search carried out to confirm your single status:

  • if you have never previously married, the single status search will start from the date you turned 16 to the present date
  • if you arrived in Australia after the age of 16, the search will start from your date of arrival
  • if you have previously married and divorced, the search will start from the date of divorce. 
Period of Search Standard servicePriority service
1–10 years $67$99
11–20 years $119$151
21–30 years $171$203

All prices include $11 postage and handling. Add a further $9 for international post.

How to apply

Complete a single status certificate application form.

Then post your completed form (see form for address) and proof of identity to Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages or visit your nearest Service NSW centre.

Processing times

Processing of your single status certificate begins when we have received your complete and correct application.

  • Certificates are delivered by registered post. The processing time does not include delivery, please see Australia Post website for current delivery times within Australia or International.
  • Australia Post advises customers to anticipate delays with international post.
  • Processing may be delayed if your application is incomplete, does not include valid identification, or you do not pay the fee.
Request for a Single Status certificateStandard servicePriority service
Submitted by postup to 4 weeksup to 2 weeks
Registry agent (Service NSW)up to 7 weeksup to 2 weeks

Related information

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