Planning to marry outside South Africa? Most countries require proof that you're legally free to marry. The Letter of No Impediment (also called a Single Status Certificate) is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and confirms you have no existing marriage on record. We obtain and apostille this document for you.📞 087 001 0733 | ✉️ info@apostille.co.za[Get a Quote →]
A Letter of No Impediment is an official document issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs confirming that:
Foreign authorities require this document to ensure you're not already married elsewhere. Without it, many countries will refuse to register your marriage or issue a marriage visa. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
Different countries use different terminology:
If a foreign authority requests any of these, they're asking for the same document—issued by Home Affairs on form DHA-1155.
Getting Married Abroad
Most countries require proof of single status before they'll allow you to marry within their borders or register your marriage.
Fiancé/Fiancée Visa Applications
Immigration authorities often require this document as part of visa applications for partners intending to marry.
Residency Applications
Some countries request proof of marital status when applying for residency based on a relationship.
Previously Married?
If you were married before, you'll need:
Both documents will need to be apostilled or authenticated for international use.
Letters of No Impediment issued by regional Home Affairs offices are not valid internationally. Only letters issued by the Department of Home Affairs Head Office in Pretoria can be legally apostilled and used abroad. We submit all applications to the Head Office to ensure your letter is valid for international use.
Fraudulent marriages are reported to Home Affairs daily. Before applying, we recommend verifying that no marriage has been fraudulently registered in your name. Discovering this after you've applied causes significant delays.We can help you verify your marital status before proceeding.
The letter expires 6 months from the issue date. Time your application so the letter is still valid when you need it—but not so early that it expires before your wedding date.
You can apply directly through:
Processing time: Up to 6 months through embassies; varies at Home Affairs depending on queue times and record accessibility.
We handle the complete process:
Our processing time: 2-6 weeks, depending on the service level selected.
Most countries require the Letter of No Impediment to be apostilled or authenticated before they'll accept it.
Letter of No Impediment (from Home Affairs Head Office)
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DIRCO Apostille
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Ready for useCountries: UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, USA, most of Europe, and 120+ others.
Letter of No Impediment (from Home Affairs Head Office)
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DIRCO Authentication
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Embassy Attestation
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Ready for useCountries: UAE, China, Qatar, Vietnam, Thailand, and others.
We handle the complete chain—from obtaining the letter through to final apostille or embassy attestation.
To apply for a Letter of No Impediment, we need:
✅ South African ID document or passport – Clear PDF scan of both sides
✅ Completed DHA-1155 form – Filled in with black ink and scanned[Download DHA-1155 Form →]If previously married:
If applying from overseas:
| Service | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4-6 weeks | Advance planning |
| Priority | 2-3 weeks | Tighter deadlines |
Processing times are estimates and depend on Home Affairs workload and record accessibility.Factors that can cause delays:
Start early. We recommend beginning the process at least 8-10 weeks before you need the document, especially if apostille is also required.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard processing (4-6 weeks) | R1,200 |
| Priority processing (2-3 weeks) | R1,800 |
| Home Affairs fee | Included |
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| DIRCO Apostille | R850 |
| Embassy attestation | Varies by country |
| Package | Fee |
|---|---|
| Letter + DIRCO Apostille (standard) | R2,050 |
| Letter + DIRCO Apostille (priority) | R2,650 |
| Letter + DIRCO + Embassy | From R2,900 |
Courier fees additional if required.[Get a Quote →]
How long is the Letter of No Impediment valid?
6 months from the date of issue. Plan your application timing accordingly.
Can I apply if I'm currently overseas?
Yes. You can apply through a South African Embassy or High Commission, but processing can take up to 6 months. Alternatively, send us the required documents and we'll apply through Home Affairs Head Office in Pretoria—usually much faster.
What if I was previously married?
You can still obtain a Letter of No Impediment, but you'll also need your divorce decree (or spouse's death certificate) apostilled. The Letter confirms you have no current marriage on record.
What if a fraudulent marriage is found on my record?
This is more common than you'd think. If Home Affairs discovers a marriage registered in your name that you didn't consent to, you'll need to follow a separate process to have it annulled before the Letter can be issued. We can advise on next steps.
Do both partners need a Letter of No Impediment?
Usually yes—each person needs to prove their single status. Your partner will need to obtain their equivalent document from their home country.
Can I use a letter from a regional Home Affairs office?
No. Only letters issued by the Department of Home Affairs Head Office in Pretoria are valid for international use and can be apostilled.
What's the difference between a Letter of No Impediment and an Unabridged Marriage Certificate?
A Letter of No Impediment confirms you are NOT married. An Unabridged Marriage Certificate is proof that you ARE married. Different documents for opposite purposes.
Don't let paperwork delay your wedding plans. We obtain your Letter of No Impediment from Home Affairs Head Office and handle apostille or embassy attestation—so your document is ready when you need it.[Get a Quote →]Contact us:
