Proving you are free to marry
If you are a Nigerian marrying abroad, or marrying a foreign national, the authorities there will usually ask you to prove you are not already married — a single status certificate, also called a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or a bachelorhood/spinsterhood affidavit. This guide explains what it is, how to obtain one in Nigeria, and how to get it accepted in the country where you are marrying.
Honest note: RenewPapers is not a court or a government registry. The certificate is sworn/issued through the proper channels. What we do is prepare the affidavit or certificate correctly and arrange the legalisation that makes it valid abroad.
What the document is
- Single status / no-impediment — a sworn statement (and/or certificate) that you are unmarried and free to marry.
- Often needs legalisation — for use abroad it is authenticated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination country’s embassy. Remember: no apostille — Nigeria is not an Apostille country.
- Sometimes the embassy’s own form — some countries require their own CNI process alongside the Nigerian document; we confirm what yours needs.
What is it for?
Need proof you are free to marry?
Tell us where you are marrying and what has been asked for. We will prepare the single status / no-impediment certificate and legalise it so it is accepted abroad.
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