What is CENOMAR & why is it used for?
It expands for the Certificate of No Marriage. It is better known as the certificate of singleness or unmarried certificate.
It simply means what its name suggests. In legal terms, the single person is the one who have never been married. The one who was previously married and got a divorce or became a window is also considered as “unmarried” as per regulations.
There is another case of annulled marriage. Under it, an individual with void ab initio states that the person was not in the marriage before. It defines that the holder has no legal effect from inception or beginning.
Simply put, the person is considered single rather than being married, as he or she has not contracted in any marriage before.
There are a few countries like Philippines where the government officially issues it to the applicant. It is drafted as per guidelines of the competent authority. It is simply a piece of paper that has been attested or apostilled.
But, there is India, USA and many other nations that issue it in the form of an affidavit, which is also called the Single Status Affidavit.
Typically, it reads these details that the applicant has to fill in the application form:
· Name (maiden name if married female)
There are some countries that also need to know the number of copies requesting for. However, it is the case of only a few countries. But generally, only one certificate is sufficient to get and submit with the embassy or immigration authority of the domestic and foreign country.
Getting it is not easy. You have to put all supporting documents in original together so that the consul and competent authority can easily verify the validity and authentication of the mentioned details.
Here is the list of all documents that are universally required for getting this affidavit:
· Parents affidavit stating their relationship with date of birth and place
· Absolute decree (for those who have been divorced)
· Death certificate (for those who are widowed)
This affidavit or certificate would be valid only if it has been attested by the competent authority. For example-PSA attestation is needed if you are applying from Philippines. MEA attestation is for the NRIs who want CENOMAR. And, the USA citizens have to get it verified from the county or town office.
There is also an alternative to get it legally valid. It is the apostille service. This is valid for the people who are going to settle down in the member country of the Hague Convention. Around 92 countries are there where it is valid. It looks like a square sticker on the back side of the certificate with a stamp of authority.
The applicant must check for it to get off any kind of delays.
One most important thing is to understand when it is required. Almost one month before marriage is the perfect time when you have to get it. Later, the immigration authority of most of the countries takes time to maintain a proper record of it.
The delay may lead to postponing of marriage, which may also push the applicant to reapply for this certificate. It is just because some of the countries issue it with a validity that can be of a year or six months. After that, one has to reapply for it.
Certainly, it is required for wedding abroad. This is the foremost reason to apply for this document. Other reasons are complementary to it, which can be employment in any of the overseas countries. Or, you may be getting an admission in the foreign university or school. All of these things are related to temporary settling in abroad, which means that you have to disclose who is dependent on you.
Here, this proof of single status appears in a significant role, signifying that the bearer is not in any matrimony & he/she has never been in it before.