Single Status Declaration: Proving You’re Free to Marry

Quick answer

A single status declaration records facts about your marital status for a receiving authority, often for marriage abroad. The required document depends on your nationality, residence and destination. Check the official marriage-abroad guidance and local registry before ordering; they may require their own form, a certificate, translation or legalisation instead.

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Skip InstantDeedPoll if you need a Certificate of No Impediment for a non-Commonwealth wedding (Spain, Italy, Greece, France): that is a register-office document we do not sell. Skip us if the destination has already accepted a solicitor-drafted declaration.

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Personalised single status statutory declaration PDF with exact 1835 Act wording
Covers never-married, divorced and widowed variants
Apostille guidance note for use abroad
Witnessing instruction card with the £5 statutory fee rules
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Acceptance guarantee: if HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses to accept your document solely because of its wording, tell us within 60 days and we will refund you in full.

WARNING: it is a criminal offence under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, knowingly to make a false statutory declaration. Do not sign this document until you are in front of your witness.

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Answer a few plain-English questions about your declaration. No legal knowledge needed — and you can preview your document free before you pay.

Check your declaration

Your declaration uses the prescribed opening and closing wording of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. Check that your statement is accurate and that the receiving organisation accepts this form before paying.

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Sign in front of an authorised witness

Do not pre-sign. Sign in front of a solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, notary or JP, who watches you sign then signs, dates and stamps it. Ask for the fee for your jurisdiction and service; see our witness cost guide.

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If HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses your document solely because of its wording, we refund you in full within 60 days.

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The government model wording and 1835-Act prescribed form, reproduced character-for-character and checked by our legal team.

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Read our acceptance guarantee

Acceptance guarantee: if HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses to accept your document solely because of its wording, tell us within 60 days and we will refund you in full.

One-time payment. Yours forever. No subscription, ever.

When do I need a single status declaration?

When you marry abroad, the local authority usually wants proof you are free to marry. The UK does not issue Certificates of No Impediment for Commonwealth destinations — Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and others — so a statutory declaration of single status, signed before a solicitor or notary, is the usual route there. For non-Commonwealth destinations such as Spain, Italy, Greece and France, a CNI from your local register office (£46.50 per person from 6 April 2026, 28 days’ notice) is generally required instead. See our country guides: Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Spain, Italy.

What does the declaration contain?

Your full name, address, date of birth and nationality; a statement that you are single and free to marry; your intended spouse’s name and nationality; and the intended date and place of marriage. If you were previously married, you declare that the marriage was dissolved by decree absolute or ended by death, with the date. The wording follows the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 exactly.

Do I need an apostille?

Usually yes, if the declaration will be used abroad. The FCDO Legalisation Office apostilles the signed declaration so foreign authorities recognise the witness’s signature. Order the apostille after signing — a blank declaration cannot be apostilled. Requirements change, so always confirm with your wedding planner or the local authority.

How do I sign it?

Book an appointment with a solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, notary public or JP — independent of you and the matter. Bring photo ID, proof of address and, if previously married, your decree absolute or late spouse’s death certificate. Sign in front of the witness; never pre-sign. The statutory fee is £5. Read who can witness a statutory declaration.

What a statutory declaration really costs
Route	Price or quote	What you get
Required official form	Usually free to obtain	Use the prescribed form where the receiving organisation requires one; witnessing is separate
InstantDeedPoll.co.ukPersonalised PDF	From £9.99 once	Personalised PDF and instructions. Single status £14.99. Authorised witnessing is separate
Commissioner for Oaths	£5 + £2 per exhibit	England and Wales schedule: £5 per declarant and £2 per required exhibit, inclusive of VAT where payable
Drafting, advice or notary	Individual quote	Confirm the jurisdiction, professional service, VAT and any legalisation costs

One-time payment. Yours forever. No subscription, ever.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a single status declaration and a Certificate of No Impediment?

A CNI is issued by your local register office (£46.50 per person in England and Wales from 6 April 2026, after 28 days’ notice) and is the standard route for non-Commonwealth destinations such as Spain, Italy, Greece and France. The UK doesn’t issue CNIs for Commonwealth destinations like Cyprus and Malta — there, a statutory declaration of single status is the usual proof.

Which countries accept a statutory declaration as proof of single status?

Commonwealth destinations — Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and others — commonly accept a single status statutory declaration signed before a solicitor or notary. Requirements change, so always confirm with your wedding planner or the local authority before booking anything.

Do I need an apostille for my single status declaration?

Usually yes, if it will be used abroad. The FCDO Legalisation Office apostilles the declaration so foreign authorities recognise the witness’s signature. Order this after your declaration is signed and witnessed — it can’t be apostilled blank.

What information goes into a single status declaration?

Your full name, address, date of birth and nationality; a statement that you’re single and free to marry; your intended spouse’s name and nationality; and the intended date and place of marriage. If previously married, you declare the divorce or death details. Our generator covers all variants.

I’ve been married before. Can I still make a single status declaration?

Yes — you declare the previous marriage and that it was dissolved by decree absolute (or ended by death), with the relevant date. Bring your decree absolute or your late spouse’s death certificate as supporting documents when you sign.