U.S. Consular Authentication of Single Status Affidavit for Marriage in China, Contact: 518-956-5673

For overseas individuals getting married in China, the most important procedure is the authentication of the "Single Status Statement" (or "Single Certificate").Additionally, a Single Status Statement may also be required for reasons such as property inheritance or sale.

What Are the Processing Times and Fees for Various Consular Services?

• Consular authentication at the embassy/consulate typically takes 4 business days, with a consular fee of $25 ($8 for Chinese citizens).
• Secretary of State authentication time varies (depending on the Secretary of State's office and mailing method), usually 10-15 days.
  Secretary of State fees range from $5 to $20, plus service fees and round-trip mailing costs to the Secretary of State.
• U.S. Department of State authentication takes 4 days, with a fee of $8.

What Documents Are Required to Obtain a Single Status Certificate?

1) Original notarization and authentication application form (must include original signature);
2) Original and copy of the Single Status Statement (must be signed by you in front of a notary public and notarized);
3) Copy of the U.S. citizen applicant's passport and copy of their overseas residency status proof;

*For current Chinese nationals, a copy of their legal residency status proof in the local area is required, such as a Green Card, Maple Card, H1B, etc.;
*If applying for a Single Status Certificate for marriage purposes, provide a copy of the fiancé(e)'s Chinese ID card (front and back) and a copy of the passport's first page;
*If the applicant is divorced or widowed, provide a copy of the divorce certificate or spouse's death certificate accordingly.

What Is the Processing Time for Authenticating a U.S. Single Status Certificate (Unmarried Certificate/No Spouse Declaration)?

Generally, the authentication of a U.S. Single Status Certificate takes 15 business days. Expedited service takes 10-12 business days; please schedule an appointment in advance for expedited service. For faster processing, please call our CHV customer service hotline. Thank you.

What Services Can We Provide to Assist You?

We will help you draft and prepare the Single Status Statement, notarize it, and then submit it to the U.S. County Clerk, U.S. Secretary of State, and the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in the U.S. for authentication.

What Are the Steps for Authenticating a Single Status Certificate?

The process must be completed in the following order:

1. Notarization by a Notary Public
2. Authentication by the County Clerk of the notary's county
3. Authentication by the Secretary of State of the notary's state
4. Authentication by the U.S. Department of State
5. Authentication by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in the U.S.

Does the Authenticated Single Status Certificate Have an Expiration Date?

The authenticated document is valid for use in China for 6 months, calculated from the date of notarization by the notary public.