New York Single Status Affidavit Apostille Guide
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What is a New York Single Status Affidavit?
A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn, signed statement in which a person declares that they are single, divorced, or widowed, and not currently married. It is used when a foreign government or civil registry needs official proof that you are legally free to marry, or as documentation for certain immigration and consular processes.
In New York, this is a personal affidavit that must be notarized by a New York Notary Public before the New York Department of State can issue an apostille.
When is a Single Status Affidavit required abroad?
Give practical examples:
- Marriage abroad: Civil or religious ceremony requiring proof of single status
- Residency or long-term visa applications: Proof of marital status for immigration
- Family-based immigration applications: Supporting documentation for visa petitions
- Foreign administrative procedures: Inheritance, guardianship, or civil status matters
Overview of the New York apostille process
New York Department of State can issue an apostille only on:
- Certified New York public documents, or
- Documents notarized in New York.
For a Single Status Affidavit, the required version is:
Your own affidavit → notarized by a NY Notary Public → apostilled by NY Department of State
Fee: $10 per document.
Options: Mail and in-person submission available.
Step 1 — Draft your Single Status Affidavit
Checklist (non-legal-advice):
- Your full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Current New York address
- Direct statement that you are single / divorced / widowed and not currently married
- If relevant: reference to prior marriage dissolution (year / state / country)
- The destination country (and city, if known)
- Statement of truth under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of New York
• Some consulates provide their own required template — in such cases, always use their format.
• Leave sufficient space for New York notarial wording and the notary's stamp.
Step 2 — Notarize your affidavit in New York
Explain requirements:
- You must sign your affidavit in front of a New York Notary Public.
- The notary will verify identity, complete an acknowledgement or jurat certificate, sign, and apply an official notary stamp.
- The stamp must be clear, readable, and fully compliant with New York notarial rules.
• The New York Department of State will not apostille documents notarized in other states.
• Photocopies or scanned copies cannot be apostilled — only originals.
Step 3 — Request a New York apostille (mail-in)
Follow NY DoS rules:
Required items:
- 1.Original notarized Single Status Affidavit
- 2.Apostille Request Form (DOS-1917-f)
Must include the destination country
- 3.Payment
$10 per document, check or money order payable to "N.Y.S. Department of State"
- 4.Pre-paid return envelope
If you want tracking (recommended)
Mailing address (USPS):
Division of Licensing Services
Apostille and Authentication Unit
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
Courier address:
Division of Licensing Services
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Step 4 — Request a New York apostille (in-person offices)
NY DoS accepts same-day drop-off at designated locations.
New York City Office
123 William Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Albany Office (main processing center)
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Requirements:
- Original notarized affidavit
- Completed request form (DOS-1917-f)
- Payment: $10 per document
- Be aware of possible document limits per person
- Check current office hours before visiting
Fees, timelines, and helpful tips
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NY apostille fee | $10 per document | Set by New York Department of State |
| Notary fee | Varies | Paid separately to the notary |
• Mail-in: usually several business days to a couple of weeks depending on volume
• In-person: often same-day, depending on queue length and office load
- Use a tracked return label for mail requests
- Ensure your affidavit's names/dates match your passport
- Ensure the notary uses correct NY notarial wording and a clean stamp
- Photocopies are always rejected
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Affidavit not notarized in New York
→ Solution: NY Department of State can only apostille documents notarized or issued in New York.
❌ Photocopy instead of original
→ Solution: The Secretary of State needs the original, notarized document. Photocopies are not acceptable.
❌ Missing destination country on request form
→ Solution: The DOS-1917-f form must state the country where the document will be used; missing this can cause delays.
❌ Illegible or incomplete notary stamp
→ Solution: If the notary seal is smudged, missing details, or not compliant with NY requirements, the apostille may be refused.
❌ Incorrect payment amount or payee
→ Solution: Checks/money orders must be made payable to "N.Y.S. Department of State" with the correct amount ($10 per document).
❌ Using an affidavit template not accepted by the destination country
→ Solution: Always check with the foreign authority or consulate for their specific template requirements.
Need help with your Single Status Affidavit?
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Get My Personalized GuideFrequently asked questions
Do I need a Single Status Affidavit to marry abroad?▼
Does New York apostille notarized documents from other states?▼
How much is the apostille fee in New York?▼
Do I need a certified marriage record search as well?▼
Can I get same-day apostille service in NYC?▼
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- New York Department of State — Apostille Services
- New York State Department of Health — Vital Records
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Our Process
- Daily verification against official state sources
- Expert review by certified document specialists
- Fee and processing time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the New York Department of State before submitting your application.
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-02-20Verified
Confirmed current DOS fees ($10/doc) and processing times with NY Department of State
- 2026-01-12Updated
Clarified NYC birth certificate "Letter of Exemplification" requirement
- 2026-01-05Verified
Confirmed mailed request address for Albany office (P.O. Box 2602)
- 2025-12-28Improved
Added detailed comparison table for NYC vs State birth record ordering
Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Compliance Editor — Apostille Pro USA
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