Affidavit is a sworn statement or written statement that are usually used in a legal proceeding or as an official document. An affidavit is a legal document sworn to before a commissioner of Oath or a Notary Public. It is an oath or an affirmation.

Read:Affidavit and its uses in Nigeria

There has been massive exodus of people in Nigeria to other counties of recent and there have been dozens of marriages taking place in the Marriage Registries.  To get married in any of the Federal Marriage Registries you need either an Affidavit of Bachelorhood for the man, Affidavit of Spinsterhood for the lady. In the case of a single mother, you need an Affidavit of Single Mother. In the case of a divorced partner, you will need an Affidavit of Divorce in addition to an order of Dissolution of marriage from a High Court in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, if you are getting married as singles, all you need is only an Affidavit of spinsterhood and Bachelorhood in ordinary marriage but in the case of Special Marriage you need an Affidavit of Non-Impediment.

Read also: Registry Marriage in Rivers State (Court Marriage in Rivers State)

If you are getting married as a single mother, you need an Affidavit of Single mother and also an Affidavit of Non- Impediment stating that there is no impediment to getting married as a single mother.

Affidavit of Spinsterhood

This is an affidavit sworn to by a single lady or a spinster before the commission for Oaths or a Notary public stating her status of singlehood and the fact that she has not been married before in Nigeria or anywhere around the world. In the case of an Ordinary marriage, an affidavit of spinsterhood is enough and will suffice but in the case of a Special Marriage you need an affidavit of non-impediment also.

Affidavit of Bachelorhood

This is an affidavit sworn to by a single man or a bachelor just like that of the affidavit of spinsterhood. The man is to state the fact that he is single and have not been married to anyone in Nigeria or outside the shores of the country. Note that this affidavit is an oath and you are bound by it. You are expected by law and good conscience to state the fact and true position. Where the bachelor is contracting a Special Marriage, in addition to the affidavit of Bachelorhood he is expected to provide an affidavit of non-impediment too.

Affidavit of Non-impediment

Just like the other affidavits, this one is not an exception. It is sworn to before a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths. This affidavit of non-impediment is used in Special Marriages and also in the case of a single mother stating that no law or custom stops her from getting married. In the case of a foreigner getting married in Nigeria, an affidavit of non-impediment is required to show that the law of your country or your custom does not prevent you from getting married.  This affidavit of non-impediment is basically to show that no Law, Custom or Tradition is hindering any of the parties to the marriage from getting married.

Please note that marriage in the Registry is not done by PROXY! The parties must be present in person to celebrate their marriage.

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