Single status certificate

Learn how to apply for a single status certificate, fees and processing times.

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What is a single status certificate

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

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.
 

How to apply

All applicants must provide proof of identity with their application.
Download and complete a single status certificate application form. 
Submit this with the required identification documents (note: never send original documents), either:

  • via post to: 
    Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
    GPO Box 30
    Sydney NSW 2001, or
  • in-person at your nearest Service NSW centre.

After reviewing your application, we will send a secure payment link to the email address provided in your application for payment processing.

Important: We suggest you do not laminate your certificates. Where possible, identity documents should be kept in their original state.

As of 2021, all certificates are printed on new security paper. 

Fees and processing times

Request for a Single Status certificate
Fees include $11 postage and handling
Standard service $105Priority service $134
Postal applicationUp to 5 weeksUp to 3 weeks
Via Service NSWUp to 5 weeksUp to 2 weeks
Fee to send a copy of a certificate to a passport office$51 

The listed processing times do not include postage delivery times. Please allow 5 to 7 days for delivery of the certificate.  

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

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