Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026 • Verified: November 22, 2025
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A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn statement where a person declares that they are single, widowed, or divorced and not currently married. It is often requested by foreign civil registries, consulates, or immigration offices when you plan to marry abroad or need official proof that you are free to marry.
In Illinois, this is a personal affidavit that must be:
Some foreign authorities may also ask for an official search or certificate of no record of marriage from a county clerk or vital records office in addition to your affidavit.
Competent authority: Apostilles and authentications for Illinois are issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, through the Index Department (Certifications / Apostilles Unit) in Springfield and Chicago.
Fee: State law and official fee schedules specify $2 per certificate or apostille, payable to the "Secretary of State".
Eligibility: For a Single Status Affidavit, the Secretary of State will apostille:
Hague Convention: Illinois apostilles are used in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention; for non-Hague countries, additional consular legalization may be needed.
Give a drafting checklist (without giving legal advice):
• Many consulates provide their own template or required wording for a Single Status Affidavit; when available, it is usually safest to follow that format.
• Leave enough blank space for the Illinois notarial certificate and the notary's stamp.
Take your unsigned draft affidavit and valid ID to an Illinois Notary Public.
Sign the affidavit in the notary's presence (or swear/affirm if using a jurat form).
The notary will: verify your identity, complete the appropriate Illinois notarial certificate, sign and affix their official notary seal.
• The notary's seal must be clear, legible, and in compliance with Illinois notary law; smudged or incomplete seals are a common reason for rejection when the Secretary of State reviews documents.
• The Illinois Secretary of State will not apostille documents notarized by a notary from another state, or documents where the notary's commission is not in good standing.
Base this section on the Illinois Application for Authentication or Apostille and university guidance:
The original document bearing the Illinois notary's signature and seal. Photocopies alone are not acceptable.
Include your name and contact details. List the country or countries where the document will be used. Specify the number of documents.
Check or money order payable to "Secretary of State" for $2 per document.
Self-addressed, postage-paid envelope or pre-paid courier label for return. Many universities advise using a tracked shipping method.
This address is widely referenced in official and consular guidance as the mail-in location for apostilles and authentications.
Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62756
• Offers counter service for apostilles and authentications during regular business hours.
Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
17 N. State Street, Suite 1010
Chicago, IL 60602
• Functions as an Index Department branch that can accept documents for apostille/authentication.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille / certificate fee | $2 per document | Statutory fee for each apostille or certificate with seal issued by the Illinois Secretary of State. |
| Notary fee | Varies | Paid separately to the Illinois notary public. |
| Shipping costs | Varies | USPS / courier costs for sending and return shipping. |
• Mail-in: around 7–10 business days to process, plus mailing time.
• In-person: often same-day counter service, depending on queue and office workload.
❌ Document not notarized in Illinois
→ Solution: The Illinois Secretary of State only apostilles documents notarized or issued within Illinois. Documents from other states must be apostilled by those states.
❌ Photocopy instead of original
→ Solution: The application form and guidance specify that documents must be originals or properly certified; simple photocopies are not acceptable.
❌ Missing or incomplete application form
→ Solution: Failing to complete all required fields on Form I-213 (including destination country) can delay or prevent processing.
❌ Wrong fee or payee
→ Solution: Checks and money orders must be payable to "Secretary of State" and the amount must match the number of documents.
❌ Illegible notary seal or defective notarization
→ Solution: If the notary seal is blurred, missing required elements, or the notarial certificate is incomplete, the document may be rejected.
❌ Using a template not accepted by the foreign authority
→ Solution: Some consulates require their own wording; using a generic affidavit when a specific consular form exists can cause refusal abroad, even if the apostille is valid.
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Get My Personalized GuideUpdated: November 2025 — Valid for 2026
Change Summary: Confirmed Illinois apostille fee of $2 per certificate or apostille, based on Illinois statute and official fee references. Verified that apostilles and authentications are issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department, with offices in Springfield (111 E. Monroe) and Chicago (17 N. State Street, Suite 1010). Checked that documents must be original and properly notarized or certified in Illinois, consistent with Form I-213 and university guidance. Clarified expected processing times (mail vs in-person) using multiple independent Illinois-focused resources. Strengthened explanations of Single Status Affidavit use cases (marriage abroad, immigration) and cross-state limitations (documents must be apostilled in the issuing or notarizing state).
Next Review Due: May 2026 or earlier if the Illinois Secretary of State updates apostille fees, addresses, or procedures.
Reviewer Profile: /team/amelia-rivera