Single Status Letter Apostille
If you are planning to marry in another country, that country's authorities will almost certainly ask for proof that you are free to marry. A single status letter with a Pennsylvania apostille is the document that satisfies that requirement.
Check the destination country's requirements first
Some countries accept a notarized affidavit with an apostille. Others specifically require a government-issued no-record-of-marriage letter. Confirm which version your embassy or foreign registry needs before you have a document notarized, so you do not have to start over.
What is a single status letter apostille?
A single status letter, also called a no-record-of-marriage letter or single status affidavit, is a sworn statement confirming that a person has never been married or is currently single and legally free to marry. It is most often prepared as a notarized affidavit, meaning you sign it under oath in front of a Pennsylvania notary public.
Because the letter is a private document rather than a government record, the Pennsylvania Department of State cannot apostille it directly. The state instead authenticates the notary public who witnessed your sworn statement, which is why a valid Pennsylvania notary block is required before anything can be submitted.
We hand-deliver your document to the state office in Harrisburg and ship it back to you with tracking. You do not need to be in Pennsylvania to order. The document must be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary, but you can mail it to us from anywhere in the world.
When people need one
- Getting married in another country that requires proof of single status
- Applying for a fiance or spousal visa through a foreign embassy or consulate
- Proving eligibility to marry to a foreign civil registry office
- Completing marriage paperwork for a ceremony in a Hague Convention member country
- Satisfying requirements from a foreign government before obtaining a marriage license abroad
How Keystone handles it
The same simple process for every document. We handle the slow part for you.
- Step 1
Order online
Tell us what you need apostilled and check out in minutes. We email a prepaid label right away. No account needed.
- Step 2
Mail us your document
Attach the prepaid label and send it our way. You get tracking so you can follow it all the way to our door.
- Step 3
We apostille it and ship it back
We hand-carry it to the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg, get the apostille added, and ship it back, tracked.
Before you send it
We are a courier service, not a notary. Your document must already meet the state requirements before you mail it. If the state cannot accept it, we send it back so you can fix it and reorder.
- The single status affidavit must be signed in the presence of a Pennsylvania notary public
- The notary block must include the notary's name, commission number, and commission expiration date
- The notary's seal or stamp must be fully legible on the document
- The document must be an original notarized affidavit, not a photocopy
- Include a prepaid return label with your shipment so we can send the apostilled document back to you
- Confirm the destination country is a Hague Convention member before ordering
Common questions
Where do I get a single status affidavit?
You or your attorney can draft the affidavit, or many notary offices and legal document preparers offer a standard template. The key is that it must be sworn and signed before a Pennsylvania notary public. We are a courier service and do not prepare or draft documents.
Does the notary have to be in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The apostille is issued by Pennsylvania, and the state can only verify the credentials of notaries commissioned in Pennsylvania. An out-of-state notary's signature cannot be authenticated by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
My foreign embassy wants a letter from a government office, not a notarized affidavit. Can Pennsylvania issue that?
In some cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Health can issue an official no-record-of-marriage certification from its vital records office. If your destination country requires a government-issued letter rather than a notarized affidavit, that is the document to obtain and apostille. Contact us if you are unsure which version you need.
How quickly will I receive the apostilled letter?
We hand-deliver to Harrisburg on business days. Turnaround depends on the service speed you choose at checkout: Standard is about 5 business days, Expedited is 48 to 72 hours, and Rush is same day or next business day.
I live outside the United States. Can I still use your service?
Yes. You can order from anywhere in the world. Mail or courier your notarized affidavit to us with a prepaid return label enclosed, and we will ship the apostilled document to whatever address you provide.
Ready when you are.
Not sure if your document is set up correctly? Send us a message before you mail anything and we will let you know what to look for.