Obtaining a certificate of marital status

Obtaining a certificate of marital status is an important process for citizens who are abroad and need an official document confirming their marital status. This document may be required for various purposes such as marriage, obtaining immigrant visas, employment and other situations. In this article, we will consider the procedure for obtaining a certificate of marital status for those who are abroad.

What factors affect obtaining a certificate of marital status abroad?

Obtaining a certificate of marital status abroad depends on the country where you are. Usually, to obtain a document, you need to contact the consular representation or embassy of your country abroad. However, the following factors can be distinguished, which also affect the receipt of a certificate of marital status abroad:

• Consular requirements. This may include a list of documents submitted, application requirements, and other mandatory criteria;
• Availability of the consular representation (its location in the country in which you are located);
• The scope of work of the consular mission. The more applications for various documents the representation has, the longer you will have to wait for the production of the relevant certificate;
• Accuracy and completeness of documents. It is important to ensure that all submitted documents are up-to-date and complete. Incorrectly completed or incomplete documents may lead to a delay or refusal to issue a certificate;
• Tracking the status of an application. You must carefully monitor the status of your application and contact the consular office for any clarifications or additional information.

For how long is such a certificate issued?

Each foreign country has different requirements for the validity of a certificate of marital status. Typically, such a certificate has a validity period of one to three months. This is due to the fact that it is assumed that over a longer period a person can enter into a new marriage, and therefore the validity of the certificate of marital status is short.

What is the procedure for obtaining such a certificate?

A general description of the procedure for obtaining a certificate of marital status includes:

1. Contacting a consular office: Find information about your country’s consular office abroad that provides consular services. Contact them and ask for the procedure for obtaining a certificate of marital status. They will provide you with the necessary information and a list of documents that you will need to provide.
2. Preparation of documents.  After receiving information from the consular mission, prepare all the necessary documents. This usually includes your passport or other identification document, as well as documents that prove your marital status, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce certificate.
3. Applying: Fill out an application for a certificate of marital status. This application can be obtained from the consular office or downloaded from their official website. Complete the application by following all the instructions and providing all the required information.
4. Submission of documents: Submit the application and all necessary documents to the consular representation of your country. Make sure all documents are properly completed and signed.
5. Waiting and getting help: When submitting an application and documents, you will have to wait for the application to be processed. The duration of the proceedings may vary depending on the consular mission and its loading. Upon successful consideration of the application, you will be issued a certificate of marital status.

If you are abroad and you need help in obtaining a certificate of marital status, please contact the law firm Prikhodko and Partners. Our team of lawyers has many years of experience in this area and deep knowledge of international family law law. We understand that the process of obtaining a certificate can be complex and confusing, especially in a foreign country.

Therefore, our lawyers are ready to help you in every step of the process – from collecting the necessary documents to submitting an application and communicating with the consular office.

Contact us today and we will provide you with personalized advice on your specific situation!