Love doesn’t have boundaries or restrictions, which has resulted in some Nigerians falling in love with citizens of other countries when they travel abroad or even on social media. If you are in such a situation, planning to get married to the love of your life.
You will need a document that proves you aren’t currently married back in Nigeria, and this document is called a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI).
This guide will explain what the certificate means, the documents you will need to get one, where to apply, the exact steps involved, the cost, and how long it typically takes to get one.
Key takeaways
- A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) proves that you are legally free to marry and is required by many countries before you can marry abroad.
- Nigerians getting married to foreigners usually need to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment through the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja.
- To get a CNI, you must submit documents like your birth certificate, passport, affidavit of single status, and other supporting documents.
What is a certificate of no impediment?
A Certificate of No Impediment (also called a Certificate of Freedom to Marry or Certificate of Single Status) is an official government-issued document proving you are legally free to marry, meaning nothing like an existing marriage or legal restriction is stopping you.
If you need proof of your current marital status, you may also come across the Single Status Certificate, while it states you are single, CNI proves you have no legal obstacle stopping you from marrying.
Who needs a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria?
You will most probably need a certificate of no impediment if you are one of these;
- A Nigerian getting married to a foreigner abroad.
- A foreigner getting married in Nigeria. You will need to provide your own version of this document (issued by your home country) before a Nigerian registry will conduct the wedding.
- If you are registering a marriage that already took place abroad, you may still need to show that no legal impediment existed at the time.
Required documents to get a certificate of no impediment
If you want a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria, you are expected to provide:
- An application letter or duly filled application form.
- Your birth certificate or an attestation of birth from the National Population Commission.
- Your certificate of local government origin, with passport pictures attached.
- A clear scanned copy of the data page of your international passport.
- A government-issued ID card of your intended foreign spouse, with an embedded photograph.
- A government-issued document showing that an application to marry has been made through a recognised institution in the foreign country.
- A copy of the foreign country’s law confirming that a certificate of no impediment from the applicant’s country of origin is required.
- A notarized letter from your local government of origin, affirming that you are known to them and have not been married according to their records.
- An affidavit of non-marital status, sworn either before an authorized official in the foreign country or by a senior foreign affairs officer at the nearest Nigerian embassy or high commission.
- Notarized letters from a parent or other senior family member confirming that you have not been married.
- Passport photographs of both the applicant and spouse.
- Full-length photographs of both the applicant and spouse.
- Your full residential address, matching the address on the ID card issued by the foreign government.
- Your email address and phone number while in the foreign country.
Where to obtain a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria
The official place to obtain a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria is at the Federal Ministry of Interior, located at Block F, Old Federal Secretariat, Area 1, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
This is in accordance with the Marriage Act, CAP M6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004); the Ministry of Interior is charged with carrying out Statutory Marriages in Nigeria.
Step-by-step guide on how to get a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria?
- Swear an affidavit of single status: Before approaching any registry, you will swear an affidavit at a Magistrate or High Court declaring that you are single and free to marry.
- Write your application letter: Draft a formal letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Interior requesting the issuance of a certificate of no impediment, stating your intention to marry a foreign national.
- Gather your supporting documents: Get your birth certificate, local government certificate of origin, passport data page, passport photographs, and full-length photographs ready.
- Get your foreign spouse’s documents: Ask your intended spouse to send a copy of their government-issued ID and proof that a marriage application has been lodged with a recognised institution in their country.
- Obtain notarized confirmation letters: Have your local government of origin and a senior family member write notarized letters confirming they know you and have no record of ever being married.
- Submit your application: Take your complete file to the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja along with the filled-out application forms.
- Pay the applicable fee: Pay the right amount to the Federal Ministry of Interior.
- Wait for processing and collect your certificate: Once your documents are verified, the registry will issue your certificate of no impediment.
- Authenticate the certificate, if required: Most countries abroad will not accept the certificate on its own; you must get it authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, sometimes, legalised at the relevant embassy before it’s accepted abroad.
How much does it cost to get a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria?
The cost of getting a certificate of no impediment depends on what route you are using to get yours. You can either decide to handle the process yourself, which may take longer and cost more, especially if you don’t live in Abuja, or you can avoid all the stress by making use of trustworthy agents/firms.
The certificate of no impediment costs around ₦600,000 (agent fee inclusive) when processed through a reliable agent.
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How long will it take to get a certificate of no impediment in Nigeria?
The formal certificate of no impediment from the Federal Ministry of Interior can take about 4 weeks or more to process. This is because of the various verification processes involved.
Is the Single Status Certificate and Certificate of No Impediment the Same?
In Nigeria, people often use “single status certificate” and “Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)” interchangeably, but there are some differences worth knowing before you apply for either.
|
Feature |
Single Status Certificate |
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) |
|
What it is |
A sworn affidavit obtained at the High Court declaring you have never been married or are currently unmarried. |
A formal document specifically designed to satisfy foreign marriage registrars. |
|
How you get it |
Sworn affidavit at the High Court. |
Sworn affidavit at a High Court, then apply at the Ministry of Interior for the CNI. |
|
Common uses |
Employment, visa applications, general proof of marital status. |
Marrying a foreign national abroad. |
|
Recognized for foreign marriage? |
Not always accepted on its own. |
Yes. It’s the version immigration and marriage registrars usually ask for and trust. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to prove that you are unmarried is by obtaining a single status certificate or certificate of no impediment.
Section 47 of the Marriage Act in Nigeria states that if a person already legally married under the Marriage Act enters into another marriage under customary law while the first marriage remains valid, they have committed an offence and may be sentenced to up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
No impediment to marry simply means that there is no legal reason or nothing in the law that stops an individual from getting married.
Conclusion
If you are planning to marry abroad, ensure you confirm the specific requirements of the country where you intend to marry and that a certificate of no impediment is needed.
Then go through the process I listed above to get your certificate of no Impediment, go through the requirements above, and if you need faster processing, reach out to a reliable document processing agency like us.
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