CENOMAR is the abbreviation for the certificate of no marriage. It does not need to be in countries like US, UK, India, etc. However, if someone decides to get married in countries like: Philippines, Thailand, or some European countries as well to prove that you are single. However, it is not ‘must’ to have this certificate for tying a knot abroad, except the foretold nations. But none will look over your civil status authenticity. This certificate will be an authenticated document certified by the civil database centre of the country. Are you wondering from where should you get it? In Philippines, it’s National Statistical Office (NSO) & in India, it’s Ministry of External Affair from where you can collect it.

Single Status Certificate is issued by the first class magistrate and Ministry of External Affairs, India. To obtain a CENOMAR, most people have to go to the nearest magistrate’s office and fall in line to be able to get one.

But for those, working and living abroad, who cannot make it to their native land. Online service for NRIs is a great option to get the certificate. On the contrary, they have to be a part of long queue for long time if they want to seek it in person. Who knows that you will have to hit the ministry or magistrate’s office not once but many a time?

How to apply the CENOMAR and Birth Certificate Request: 
This service is available at S2NRI, although they will need an authorization letter from the applicant in favor of S2NRI that they represent him on his behalf.

Step 1: Click on the link below:
https://www.services2nri.com/nri/services/162/BachelorhoodCertificate

Step 2: Sign up with: Name, email, and password.

Step 3: After logging, click on the same link and choose to buy now, and pay the amount of 400$.

Step 4: You will get a confirmation mail from the website, and your certificate will be delivered within 3-4 weeks by courier.

CENOMAR certificate includes

• Complete name of the person
• Complete name of the father
• Complete maiden name of the mother
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Complete name and address of the requesting party
• Number of copies needed
• Purpose of the certification

This online service is really significant only if you are willing to pay the price of each certificate rather than going through the hassle of getting it in their offices. On the other hand, if you are under a hectic schedule and cannot afford wasting time this would be perfect. It is also convenient for people who don’t live near the state magistrate’s office.

For inserting transparency in civil relationship, its need was arisen. Few couples knocked at the door of the court for registering & seeking justice in forged marriage. But this certificate in hand works as a stamp of trust for the would-be spouses. After getting it, they feel at ease & satisfied internally. With this, they win confirmation in heart that their spouse is single by civil status. And, that individual is unattached or uncommitted to any other person by relationship in the eyes of law.

FAQs

What is CENOMAR?

CENOMAR expands for the “Certificate of No Marriage Record”. It’s an affidavit in the form of a legal document, stating that the bearer is single and has no spouse as a dependent. Neither has the bearer contracted any marriage. He or she may be a divorcee or widowed, which also denotes singleness.

Why do I need it?

Also called singleness or bachelorhood certificate, you may need it for solemnizing marriage in the foreign, especially in Europe, Philippines, Australia, the USA, the UK and many other countries. Besides, the foreign employer or academic institute in abroad can also ask NRIs to show it up during and after immigration for employment or study purpose.

Where can I get it from India or abroad?

If you are here, in India, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or District Magistrate is the competent authority to get it from. But, it needs notarization from notary public (court) and legalization (i.e. attestation/authorization/apostille) from the State Home Department and then, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Then only, it would be valid in abroad.

Being an NRI, you can go to Indian embassy in the country where you live for getting this certificate.

What is legalization of this certificate?

It refers to the process of validating this certificate, which involves the verification of all supporting documents that show authentic proof of the bearer’s identity, address, birth, citizenship and guardians. The competent authorities in India, such as SDM and MEA, put the stamp on this affidavit upon verifying the details of the person who applies for it. Only legalized or attested certificate is accepted across the globe.

How do I get my certificate apostilled in India?

You can approach e-sanad website. Being active in only a few states and districts, you cannot access the services from this government project all across India. Where it’s accessible, applicants can fill the form for CENOMAR, upload documents and pay the requisite fee online. Upon getting it attested by the MEA, you can witness a sticker of being Apostilled on the document. This is how it is apostilled.

However, you must know that no direct application is accepted from the applicant if you want to get it physically from the MEA. You have to contact the outsourcing agency near you to get it done.

Is apostille service required for all countries?

No, it is not valid for all countries. These are just 63 countries that are members of the Hague Convention, which needs apostille services for all documents.

For rest of countries, you can enquire with the outsourcing agency, if in India and embassy, if in abroad.

Which countries need the apostille/ attestation of CENOMAR? 

Afghanistan, Jamaica, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, Syria, Angola, Kenya, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Tanzania, Benin, Laos, Togo, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Libya, Turkmenistan, Cambodia, Macedonia, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Cameroon, Madagascar, Uganda, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Chile, Mali, Yemen, China, Mauritania,  Zambia, Congo Republic, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Congo Democratic, Niger, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Eritrea, Philippines, Ethiopia, Qatar, Ghana, Rwanda, Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Senegal, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Singapore, Iraq and Sri Lanka.

Which documents do I need for this certificate attestation?

• Photographs
• Original Passport & its photocopy
• Decree Absolute, if divorced
• Affidavit (of spouses, parents and witnesses)
• Death certificate (of deceased spouse, if widowed)
• Original and photocopy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID Card/Driving licence

What is the cost of attestation?

• Notary/Affidavit: INR 20 to INR 100 (variable)
• Home Department: Nil
• Apostille: INR 50 (may be revised)
• Embassy: Variable (in thousands)
• MEA: INR 50 (agency charges) + INR 90/- (Service Fee)+ INR 3 per page (Scanning Fee)

How much time does its delivery take?

The postal orders service has been discontinued for normal attestation. So, its delivery can take more than a month.