Certificate of single status

Single Status Declaration – Support for marriage registration dossiers in Vietnam

KeyApply assists in preparing marital status confirmation documents for Canadian citizens or Vietnamese citizens residing in Canada who plan to register their marriage in Vietnam. Depending on nationality, duration of residence, place of marriage registration, and marital history, the composition of the dossier may vary.

1. What is a "Single Status Declaration"?

"Single Status Declaration" (Công hàm độc thân) is a common term for the set of documents proving marital status for marriage registration in Vietnam; it is not a single document applicable to all cases. KeyApply helps identify the appropriate documents as required by the receiving authority.

2. Canadian citizens wishing to marry in Vietnam

Depending on the case, the dossier may include:

• Single Status Declaration / Affidavit: A sworn statement or affirmation of marital status before an authorized person.
• Marriage Search: Results of a marriage record search issued by the competent authority in the province, if required.
• Divorce Certificate / Divorce Judgment: For those who have been divorced.
• Death Certificate: If a former spouse has passed away.
• Birth Certificate: If requested by the receiving authority.
• Pre-marital medical examination certificate: Meeting the content and validity requirements of the civil status registration authority in Vietnam.
• Passport and name change documents: If applicable.

The above list is for reference only; not every client requires all documents. Some private documents may need notarization before applying for an Apostille.

3. Vietnamese citizens residing in Canada wishing to marry in Vietnam

Clients may require a Certificate of Marital Status or a Certificate of Non-impediment to Marriage from Vietnamese competent authorities, which includes procedures at the Embassy of Vietnam in appropriate cases. It is necessary to check the duration of residence in Canada, identification documents, marital status, and marriage/divorce history to determine the correct process.

Apostille certification for Canadian public documents does not replace the procedure for obtaining a certificate issued by Vietnamese authorities.

4. Apostille applicable from September 11, 2026

From September 11, 2026, Canadian public documents falling under the scope of the Apostille Convention can obtain an Apostille from the competent Canadian authority for use in Vietnam without further consular legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy. Documents not in Vietnamese still require a Vietnamese translation that is notarized or certified according to Vietnam's regulations.

1. Prepare the correct type and format of Canadian documents.
2. Notarize first if the type of document and the Apostille issuing authority require it.
3. Apply for an Apostille at the competent authority based on the place of issuance or document type.
4. Translate into Vietnamese and notarize or certify the translation as required.
5. Submit the dossier according to the instructions of the marriage registration authority in Vietnam.

Some types of documents not covered by the Convention have their own separate procedures. Documents validly consularly legalized before September 11, 2026, do not necessarily need to be re-processed with an Apostille.

5. What services does KeyApply provide?

• Review and prepare a document checklist based on each client's situation.
• Guide the preparation of the Affidavit of single status.
• Assist with Marriage Search requests and civil status documents in Canada.
• Coordinate notarization, translation, and preparation of the Apostille application.
• Provide instructions for dossiers submitted to Vietnamese consular authorities when applicable.
• Assist with packaging and shipping documents upon request.

Clients may handle the procedures themselves or use KeyApply's support services. KeyApply is not an Apostille issuing authority or a marital status issuing authority.

6. Timeframe and Costs

Service options and prices remain as listed on the product. The scope of each package must be confirmed when the dossier is accepted. Government fees, notarization, Apostille, additional translation, and shipping fees may be charged separately, unless the service package explicitly states they are included. Processing time depends on the issuing authority, document type, and actual circumstances.

Do not prepare the dossier too early: some documents proving marital status have limited validity periods as required by the receiving authority. Do not assume all documents have the same six-month validity.

7. Important Notes

• Dossiers for Canadian citizens and Vietnamese citizens are not necessarily the same.
• Not all documents require an Apostille; not all documents can be Apostilled directly without notarization.
• An Apostille authenticates the signature, the capacity of the signatory, or the seal; it does not certify the content of the document.
• The final list and acceptance of documents are determined by the competent marriage registration authority in Vietnam.
• KeyApply provides administrative support and document coordination; it does not guarantee the issuance of documents or the outcome of government procedures. Legal advice must be handled by a lawyer or authorized professional.

8. Contact KeyApply

Please provide your nationality, province of residence, marital status, divorce history (if any), and intended place of marriage in Vietnam. Call 647-805-1500, email info@keyapply.com, or message via KeyApply.com.

Official Reference Sources

• Embassy of Vietnam in Canada – Notification regarding Apostille replacing consular legalization effective September 11, 2026
• Government of Ontario – Authenticate a document for use outside Canada