Certificate of No Impediment: What U.S. Citizens Use Instead

The short answer

Many countries ask a foreign partner for a certificate of no impediment (CNI), also called a certificate of freedom to marry or a certificate of no impediment to marriage. In Italy the request is for a nulla osta, in Spain a certificado de capacidad matrimonial and in Germany an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis.

The United States has no national marriage register, so no U.S. government office issues a certificate of no impediment, and U.S. consular officers cannot certify a citizen’s marital status. Instead, foreign authorities generally accept a sworn statement from the U.S. citizen affirming that they are free to marry, often supported by official records.

What U.S. citizens provide instead

Where to sign the affidavit

You can usually sign the affidavit in one of two ways. Confirm with the foreign authority which it accepts before you sign.

• Before a notary in the United States, followed by an apostille from the state where it was notarized. This allows everything to be ready before you travel.
• Before a U.S. consular officer at the embassy or consulate in the country where you will marry. Some countries require this, or require the statement to be made before their own officials.

Getting the details right

• Use the country’s wording. Some authorities supply their own form or require specific statements.
• Match your passport. Your name must appear exactly as it does on your passport.
• Mind the date. Many countries accept documents issued or signed only within the last three to six months.
• Plan for translation. Many countries require a certified translation of each document and sometimes of the apostille.
• Divorced or widowed? Include the apostilled divorce decree or death certificate.

See also documents for marrying abroad.