- The “single-status certificate” is Hong Kong’s everyday name for proof that you are unmarried. Its official name is the Certificate of No Marriage Record.
- You can apply in person, through an authorised person or by post. The search fee is HK$140 and the certificate fee is HK$680, a total of HK$820.
- An online application usually takes about 7 working days. You or your authorised representative must collect the certificate in person from a designated marriage registry, with the confirmation slip.
- To use it in the Mainland, you must first have it notarised by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer in Hong Kong. To use it for a marriage, you must also complete a notarised “Application for Marriage Declaration” and sign it in person in front of the notary.
The “single-status certificate” you often hear about in Hong Kong is the document that proves you are single. Its official name is the Certificate of No Marriage Record.
This article explains how to apply for a Hong Kong single-status certificate (known locally as the “gwa lou zing”), and what it costs.
What is a single-status certificate, and what is it used for?
The “single-status certificate” is Hong Kong’s everyday name for proof of single status. Its official name is the Certificate of No Marriage Record. It is also called a proof of unmarried status or proof of single status.
In Hong Kong this document is mostly used to show your marital status. It is useful whether you are unmarried, divorced or widowed.
It also plays an important part in certain legal procedures and personal matters, such as marriage registration or applying for some visas.
If you are planning cross-border matters, a valid single-status certificate can speed up approval.
In personal affairs and international business, notarisation matters. It makes sure legal documents are recognised in different jurisdictions.
This article focuses on notarising the certificate in Hong Kong, and gives practical guidance on how to apply and what it costs.
Not sure whether you need a single-status certificate?
Feel free to check your situation with us.
Why notarise the certificate in Hong Kong?
The reasons to notarise in Hong Kong are:
- A sound legal system: Hong Kong’s rule of law is well established, and notarisation is neutral and transparent.
- Easy communication: English and Chinese are both official languages, so notarisation is simple in either.
- Efficiency and professionalism: things move quickly in Hong Kong, and most notarisations are done in a short time, which cuts the time you spend.
The certificate is an essential proof of identity and status in many international and local matters.
To carry out legal and administrative procedures smoothly, in Hong Kong or overseas, first understand how to apply, and make sure the notarised document is legally valid.
Please note
- If you need to arrange a single-status certificate, pay the fees or find out the charges, we suggest you contact the local authority or a notary directly, so the steps are right and your rights are protected.
More articles on certificates and documents:
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- Wills explained: how the everyday term differs from the formal one, the cost of making a will, the format and the benefits
How to apply for the certificate: in person, through an authorised person or by post
You can apply for the Certificate of No Marriage Record (known as the single-status certificate) in person, through an authorised person or by post.
For marriage, emigration and other legal procedures, this proof of single status is an essential document.
Applying in Hong Kong is not difficult, but you do need to follow certain steps:
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Gather the documents
Prepare a valid identity card or passport, proof of address and any other supporting documents that may be needed.
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Method and fees
You can usually apply at the Immigration Department or a designated body, fill in a form and pay a fee.
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Processing time
After you submit your application, the authority reviews it. How long this takes depends on the case, and is usually from a few days to a few weeks.
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Collecting the certificate
If your application is approved, you receive the official certificate, which you can use whenever proof of single status is needed.
Applying in person
You can go in person to any marriage registry, hand in the completed application form, bring the original of your Hong Kong identity card or a valid travel document, and pay the fees, which are:
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Fee for searching the marriage records | HK$140 |
| Fee for the Certificate of No Marriage Record | HK$680 |
You can pay the application fees by PPS or by credit card (such as VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay or JCB).
Please note
- When you collect the certificate, pay the balance by cash, crossed cheque or cashier’s order, made payable to the “Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.
Authorising someone else to apply
If you cannot go in person, you can authorise someone in writing to submit the application for you. The person authorising must bring these documents:
- The completed application form
- The letter of authorisation
- A copy of the Hong Kong identity card
- A copy of a travel document showing the applicant’s personal details and signature
Please note
- The signature on the letter of authorisation must match the signature on the travel document copy.
- If the travel document was not issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, you also need a copy certified by a notary public.
- The person authorising must also pay the marriage record search fee when the application is submitted.
Applying by post
To apply by post, prepare the following and send it to the Marriage Registration and Records Office:
- The completed application form
- A copy of the Hong Kong identity card
- A copy of a travel document showing your personal details and signature
- The application fees
| Address | |
|---|---|
| Mailing address in English | The Marriage Registration and Records Office, 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong |
| Address in Chinese | Marriage Registration and Records Office, 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong |
Points to note
- All documents must be complete and meet the requirements when you submit, or processing may be delayed.
- If your travel document was not issued in Hong Kong, it must be certified by a notary public.
- Pay all fees in the way your chosen application method requires, and make sure the payment method is accepted.
The notarisation process for the certificate
Sometimes the certificate alone is not enough for international matters. Notarisation helps make sure the document is valid abroad too.
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Choose a professional notary
In Hong Kong you can use a notary’s office or a qualified solicitors’ firm.
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Provide the documents
Show the certificate and any other relevant papers so the notary can check them.
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Pay the fee
Notary services usually have fixed charges. The amount depends on the type of document and the notarisation procedure.
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Receive the notarised document
When it is done, you receive a notarised version with legal recognition, which helps when you use it abroad.
Not sure which way to apply for the certificate?
Get in touch, and a dedicated consultant will first understand your situation.
Applying online for the certificate: an overview
For an online application, you fill in the application form and pay the fees. You or your authorised representative then collect the certificate in person from a designated marriage registry, with the confirmation slip.
In Hong Kong the certificate’s official name is the Certificate of No Marriage Record. It confirms that you have never registered a marriage in Hong Kong, and you can apply through the Immigration Department’s online service.
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How to apply for a Certificate of No Marriage Record
To apply for the certificate, you fill in an application form and pay the fees.
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Fees and processing time
Searching the marriage records costs HK$140, and the Certificate of No Marriage Record costs HK$680. Once you have submitted all the documents and fees, it usually takes about 7 working days.
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Collecting the Certificate of No Marriage Record
After you apply online, you receive a confirmation slip showing the collection date and place. Keep it, as you need it to collect the certificate.
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Documents to bring when you collect
Your Hong Kong identity card or a valid travel document, and a printed copy of the confirmation slip. An authorised representative must also show the original letter of authorisation and the matching identity documents.
The search takes some time and the system cannot show the result straight away. You or your authorised representative must therefore collect the certificate in person from a designated marriage registry.
If no marriage registration is found under your name, you receive a Certificate of No Marriage Record. If one is found, you receive a letter confirming the marriage record, which includes the date of registration.
Go to the designated marriage registry on the “collection date” shown on the confirmation slip to collect the result of your application.
Technical support and enquiries
If you have a technical problem with the online service, or a general enquiry, you can contact the Immigration Department:
| Contact options | |
|---|---|
| E-services hotline (daily, 7 am to 11 pm) | (852) 3128 8668 |
| General enquiries (during office hours) | (852) 2824 6111 |
| Fax | (852) 2877 7711 |
| enquiry@immd.gov.hk |
What the certificate is used for in Hong Kong, and what it costs
The certificate plays a key part in marriage, emigration, buying a home and other legal matters. The total cost of the whole application is HK$820.
In Hong Kong, most needs for proof of single status are tied to cross-border or local legal matters. The main uses are:
- Immigration visas and work permits: some countries and regions ask for the certificate to confirm the applicant’s marital status.
- Schools and employers: where a spouse or family sponsorship is involved, this kind of proof sometimes has to be attached.
- Marriage procedures: when you remarry or marry overseas, holding the certificate saves you cumbersome steps and makes sure the process is lawful.
Why notarising the certificate matters
If you plan to work, marry or emigrate overseas, a notarised certificate is especially important.
Many foreign authorities only accept a notarised certificate. Without notarisation, the document may be treated as invalid, causing delays or extra obstacles.
Getting the notarisation done properly is the first step in protecting your rights.
Using the certificate in the Mainland
If you need to use the Certificate of No Marriage Record in the Mainland, you must first have it notarised by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer in Hong Kong.
Which kind of notarised document you need depends on what the certificate is for, such as marriage, family reunion, inheritance or emigration.
| For marriage | For buying a home in the Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| What to arrange or provide | Complete a notarised “Application for Marriage Declaration” | Provide the certificate, your Hong Kong identity card and your Home Return Permit |
| Signing in person | The applicant must attend in person to sign in front of the notary | Usually you do not need to attend in person to sign |
If the certificate is for a marriage and you cannot sign in person, this kind of notarisation cannot be completed.
The certificate for buying a home
If the certificate is for buying a home in the Mainland and the applicant has never registered a marriage in Hong Kong, you can provide the certificate, your Hong Kong identity card and your Home Return Permit. This is relatively simple.
Please note
- When you apply, note the fees and steps involved, and decide according to your purpose whether you need to arrange further notarisation.
Fees for the certificate
In Hong Kong you can apply for the Certificate of No Marriage Record at any marriage registry.
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Searching the marriage records
When you apply, you first pay HK$140 for searching the marriage records.
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Certificate fee
If you are confirmed as eligible and the certificate is approved, you pay a further HK$680 for the certificate.
From submitting the application to approval usually takes about 7 working days. Remember to have your personal documents ready when you apply, so the process goes smoothly.
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Not sure whether your certificate needs notarising?
If in doubt, feel free to contact our dedicated consultants.
Frequently asked questions about the Hong Kong single-status certificate
What is the Hong Kong single-status certificate?
It is the everyday name for the Certificate of No Marriage Record. It proves that the applicant has never registered a marriage in Hong Kong, and is often used for marriage, emigration, buying a home and other legal procedures.
How much does the certificate cost?
The marriage record search fee is HK$140 and the certificate fee is HK$680, a total of HK$820.
How long does the application take?
Processing usually takes 7 working days after you apply, excluding public holidays.
What do I need to bring to collect the certificate?
Bring your Hong Kong identity card or a valid travel document, and your online application confirmation slip or application file number.
Does the certificate need to be notarised?
If you need to use it in the Mainland or another country, it must be notarised by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer in Hong Kong, so that the document is legally valid.
What is the certificate mainly used for?
It can be used for marriage registration, emigration or visa applications, buying a home, inheritance and other legal procedures that need proof of single status.
