Single status / CENOMAR
Confirm you are unmarried or free to marry before a wedding abroad — commonly required by the Philippines (CENOMAR), Mexico, Italy, and many other destinations.
Sworn statement
Affidavit Apostille
Notarize and apostille affidavits of single status, financial support, identity, and other sworn statements with the correct California jurat wording so they’re accepted for marriage, immigration, sponsorship, and overseas filings.
- Single status, support & identity affidavits
- Marriage, immigration, sponsorship & legal filings
- Correct jurat wording before apostille
An affidavit is a sworn statement — you swear under penalty of perjury that what’s written is true. California requires a jurat (not an acknowledgment) for affidavits. We confirm the wording, witness the oath, and route the document through the California Secretary of State for apostille.
What this page covers
Affidavit Apostille, end to end.
Affidavits are used worldwide when an institution needs your sworn statement on a fact — single status before marrying abroad, financial support for a visa applicant, identity verification, or general legal declarations. The California notary administers an oath and applies a jurat. Once notarized, we route it through the Secretary of State for apostille so the destination country accepts it as authentic.
Common reasons people need this
When a affidavit apostille is required.
Financial support
Sponsor a relative’s visa, school admission, or travel by sworn affidavit confirming your income, assets, and commitment to support.
Identity affidavits
Affirm your identity, parentage, or relationship to another person when a primary document (passport, birth certificate) is missing or insufficient.
General sworn statements
Other sworn declarations — lost documents, address history, employment, criminal-record disclosures, or facts required by a foreign court or agency.
How it works
Three steps from photo to apostille.
Review the affidavit & wording
Send us your draft affidavit so we can confirm it includes a jurat block, sworn-statement language, and any country-specific requirements before you sign.
Take the oath in front of a California notary
We meet you in Los Angeles County. You raise your right hand, swear to the truth of the statement, and sign before us. We apply the California jurat.
Route through the Secretary of State
We submit the notarized affidavit to the California Secretary of State for apostille, monitor processing, and ship the apostilled original back to you or directly to the destination agency.
What will and won't be accepted
Accepted & rejected affidavit copies.
Will be accepted
- Drafted affidavit with sworn-statement language (under penalty of perjury)
- Signer present with current government-issued photo ID
- Jurat block (not an acknowledgment) attached or pre-formatted
- Specific factual statements (dates, names, amounts) clearly written
- Single legal name of signer matching ID
Will be rejected
- Pre-signed affidavits (signer must sign and swear in front of the notary)
- Affidavits with acknowledgment instead of jurat
- Vague, opinion-based, or unsworn statements
- Expired or invalid government photo ID
- Drafts in a foreign language without an English version for notarization
Realistic timelines
Affidavit apostille processing time.
California affidavits
- Same-day mobile notarization in Los Angeles County
- California Secretary of State apostille: typically 2–5 business days
- Total turnaround for in-state affidavits: usually within one week
Other U.S. states
- Affidavits notarized out of state must be apostilled by that state
- Non-Hague destinations may require consular legalization after apostille
- Translation, when required, must be arranged separately after apostille
Before you contact us
Have these ready for a clear apostille plan.
Affidavit apostille checklist
- Affidavit drafted in final form with all facts filled in
- Sworn-statement language (“I declare under penalty of perjury…”)
- Jurat block attached or ready to add at notarization
- Current government-issued photo ID
- Destination country and receiving agency confirmed
- Return shipping address
Good to know
- A jurat means you swear the contents are true — lying on a notarized affidavit is perjury, a criminal offense.
- California notaries cannot draft affidavits. Use a template from an attorney, the receiving agency, or the destination consulate.
- If the affidavit will be used in a language other than English, get the apostille on the English original, then have a certified translator handle the translation after apostille.
Affidavit Apostille FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What’s the difference between an affidavit and a declaration?
An affidavit is sworn before a notary (or other authorized officer) under penalty of perjury, typically with a jurat. A declaration is a written statement made under penalty of perjury but may not require notarization. For overseas apostille, you almost always need a notarized affidavit with a jurat.
Do I need an affidavit of single status if I’m marrying abroad?
Many countries require proof you are free to marry — most commonly a notarized affidavit of single status (sometimes called a sworn statement of celibacy or affidavit of no marriage). Visit our Philippines apostille page for CENOMAR-related documentation details. Confirm requirements with the destination country’s civil registry.
Can I make an affidavit about facts I don’t personally know?
Generally no. An affidavit must be based on your personal knowledge. If you don’t personally know the facts, you risk perjury — use a different type of document or have someone with personal knowledge sign instead.
Can I notarize an affidavit signed by someone else?
No. The person making the sworn statement must appear in person before the notary, present valid photo ID, and swear to the truth of the statement at the time of notarization.
Does the apostille verify the affidavit is true?
No. The apostille only certifies the notary’s signature and seal — it does not verify the content of the affidavit. The receiving institution decides whether to accept and rely on the statement.
Can you help me draft the affidavit?
No — drafting legal documents is the practice of law. Use a template from your attorney, the receiving agency, the destination consulate, or a legal document service. We can point you to common templates for the most-requested affidavits.
Other notarized documents