Affidavit of Single Status
Also known as a "Certificate of No Impediment," an Affidavit of Single Status is used primarily by US citizens wishing to marry abroad. Foreign governments often require proof that the American citizen is not currently married to anyone else. Since the US has no central marriage registry, the citizen must swear under oath that they are single, divorced, or widowed and free to marry. This document is often authenticated (apostilled) for international use.
Preview ←Affidavit of Single Status for Visa in Nigeria
The Affidavit of Single Status for Visa is a specialized sworn statement designed to meet the rigorous requirements of foreign embassies and immigration departments. While similar to the standard 'Affidavit of Bachelorhood/Spinsterhood,' this version is specifically tailored for international use. It is the primary document used to obtain a 'Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage' from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, which is often a prerequisite for a Nigerian to marry a foreign national in that foreigner's country. Purpose: International Marriage and Immigration When a Nigerian citizen applies for a fiancé visa (such as the K-1 visa for the USA) or seeks to register a marriage in countries like Germany, Italy, or the UK, the foreign government must be assured that the Nigerian is not already married. Bigamy is a crime in most jurisdictions, and immigration fraud is taken very seriously. This affidavit declares that a search of the marriage registries in Nigeria would yield no record of an existing marriage for the deponent. Authentication and Legalization Unlike a local affidavit used for a bank change of name, this document almost always requires further processing. After being sworn at a High Court in Nigeria, it usually must be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 'Legalization' (Red Seal) to be valid abroad. The text of the affidavit is drafted to be clear and unambiguous to foreign officials, explicitly stating the deponent's freedom to marry. Content The affidavit must state the deponent's full name, date of birth, occupation, and passport details. It must declare that the deponent is single (never married, divorced, or widowed—with proof attached if the latter two). It frequently mentions the specific country where the marriage is intended to take place and may even name the intended foreign spouse. This specificity helps visa officers verify the intent of the document.
Preview ←Affidavit of Spinsterhood in Nigeria
The Affidavit of Spinsterhood is a vital legal document used in Nigeria by a female declarant to formally attest to her single status. It is a sworn statement made before a judicial officer, such as a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public, confirming that the woman has never been married under Statutory Law, Customary Law, or Islamic Law, and is therefore free to enter into a valid marriage contract. This document is the female equivalent of the Affidavit of Bachelorhood and holds significant weight in civil and administrative procedures concerning marriage and immigration. Why is this Affidavit Necessary? The primary necessity for an Affidavit of Spinsterhood arises during the marriage registration process. The Marriage Registry requires proof that a bride-to-be is not currently bound by an existing marriage, thereby preventing the legal complications of bigamy or polyandry (which is not recognized in Nigeria). Beyond local marriage registration, this affidavit is extensively used for international travel and visa applications. When a Nigerian woman intends to marry a foreign national or relocate to join a fiancé abroad, the host country's immigration authorities usually require a sworn affidavit of single status, often authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to issue a fiancé visa or a marriage license. Structure and Content A standard Affidavit of Spinsterhood must be meticulously drafted. It begins with the personal details of the deponent (the woman), including her full name, religion, nationality, and residential address. The core of the document is the explicit declaration that she is a 'Spinster' and has never gone through any form of marriage ceremony with any man. If the affidavit is preparatory to a specific wedding, the name of the intended groom is usually mentioned to link the document to the specific event. It concludes with a statement of truth in compliance with the Oaths Act of 1990. Legal Validity and Consequences Once sworn and signed by the Commissioner for Oaths, this document becomes a binding record. It is important to note that 'Spinsterhood' in this legal context simply means a woman who has never been married; it is distinct from being a divorcee or a widow. If a woman has been married before, she would instead need a Decree Absolute (for divorce) or a Death Certificate (for widowhood). Falsifying information on this affidavit constitutes perjury, a criminal offense punishable under the Criminal Code of Nigeria.
Preview ←Affidavit of Substituted Service
An Affidavit of Substituted Service is used when a defendant cannot be personally found, but the legal documents were successfully delivered to a responsible third party at the defendant's residence. This is often called leaving documents with a person of "suitable age and discretion" (usually a competent adult or older teenager) who also lives in the same home. This affidavit is crucial for proving that, even though the defendant didn't take the papers hand-to-hand, reasonable steps were taken to ensure they would receive them. The process server must attest that the home was indeed the defendant's usual place of abode and identify the person who accepted the documents (e.g., a spouse, parent, or roommate). Substituted service is generally a secondary option used after personal service has been attempted.
Preview ←Affidavit in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
This affidavit is a strategic tool used to try and win a case quickly without going to a full trial. In a Motion for Summary Judgment , one party argues that there are no "genuine issues of material fact" and that they should win purely as a matter of law. The affidavit supports this by laying out the undisputed facts under oath. For example, in a contract dispute, the affiant might swear, "The defendant signed this contract on X date and failed to pay on Y date," attaching the contract as proof. If the other side cannot produce their own affidavit contradicting these facts, the judge may grant judgment immediately.
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