Single Status Declaration: Proving You’re Free to Marry

When the authority marrying you abroad asks for one. It needs proof that you are free to marry, and the UK has no central register of marital status, so no UK office certifies that you are single, the FCDO’s information note explains. For a Commonwealth country, such as Cyprus or Malta, the FCDO says no certificate of no impediment (CNI) can be issued, so the local authority decides what it accepts instead. Pafos Municipality in Cyprus lists a statutory declaration signed before a UK solicitor or notary public and apostilled. Malta’s Marriage Registry lists its own forms RZ1 and RZ2 and, where a country issues no free status certificate, an affidavit by a third party; it asks residents of Scotland, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man for a CNI.

Spain, Italy and Greece follow the FCDO route instead: give notice at your UK register office for a UK CNI (£46.50 per person in England and Wales from 6 April 2026), then use the FCDO service linked from the GOV.UK marriage abroad guide to exchange it for a local CNI from the British embassy or consulate (£50). A statutory declaration is not part of that route, so buy one only if the registry asks for it in writing. See our country guides: Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Spain, Italy.

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, enter your previous spouse’s name and the date of the final order, decree absolute or their death. Select the exact title of your divorce document so the PDF uses the matching wording. The wording follows the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 exactly. GOV.UK says a divorce in England and Wales ends with a final order or a decree absolute; a conditional order or decree nisi does not end the marriage. For an annulment, civil partnership or a divorce document with another title, ask a solicitor or notary for appropriate wording before buying.

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.

If the declaration is going abroad, book a solicitor or notary public who is independent of you and the matter: GOV.UK’s legalisation guide says the FCDO apostilles documents certified by a UK notary or solicitor. Bring photo ID, proof of address and, if previously married, your final order, decree absolute or late spouse’s death certificate. Sign in front of the witness; never pre-sign. In England and Wales a solicitor charges £5 per declarant plus £2 per exhibit; notaries set their own fees. Read who can witness a statutory declaration.