Congratulations on the marriage!
Planning a wedding is extremely hectic, and sorting out the paperwork can complicate the whole process. If you are a Malaysian marrying a foreigner, you will most probably need to obtain a ‘Certificate of Single Status’ from Malaysia before you can register your marriage in a different country.
Most importantly, you must apply for the Certificate of Single Status before you register your marriage in any country.
This Certificate of Single Status can only be obtained from the National Registration Department (NRD), known as Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN). The process can be quite complicated and troublesome. To make things worse, I couldn’t find a proper updated guide online to help me with my application! After going through all the troubles and hiccups obtaining the certificate, I have decided to blog about the process in details to guide my fellow brides-to-be so you can be well-prepared!
Basically, there are only 3 steps:
- Statutory declaration – swear your oath @ Istana Kehakiman (Palace of Justice)
- Apply for the certificate of single status @ JPN (NRD Headquarter)
- Get the certificate endorsed by Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign Affair)
Here’s the bad news for you, if you are living overseas, then you will have to come back to Kuala Lumpur personally to get this done. I’ve seen on the website that they accept postage application, but when I tried to call them to verify, I’ve gotten different answers all the time. Therefore, I highly suggest that you come back and spend one day on this. It is quite unavoidable.
Here are some very important reminders:
1. Statutory declaration
Initially, the JPN officer told me that I could authorise my family to apply for the certificate of single status on my behalf, but I will have to do the statutory declaration in the presence of a local consular officer. I called the Malaysian Embassy in Singapore to clarify, and they confirmed that it is possible to do it at the Embassy (it was also stated on their official website that they do statutory declarations for single certificates).
I visited the consulate but returned empty-handed, as apparently they have stopped providing this service. Therefore, if you really need to do it remotely from overseas, plan well in advance. In case you are not able to do the statutory declaration, you’ll have time for a backup plan. For example, you could look for a Malaysian Commissioner for Oath, if any, in your residing country and swear in front of him/her.
2. Public holiday and closures
Though JPN is opened on Saturday, the Palace of Justice for statutory declaration is closed. You can’t proceed without swearing the oath, unless you visited a Commissioner for Oath in advance to swear in front of him/her.
Public holidays on a Thursday may be changed to the next day, Friday, to make it a long weekend. It is best to avoid a Friday near public holidays like these.
3. Address on the forms
Make sure that all your forms, including the statutory declaration, have the same address as in your Malaysian MyKad. If you apply on a Saturday, remember that the Palace of Justice for statutory declaration is closed so you’ll not be able to proceed with your application.
4. Birth certificate
Very likely, if you need a certificate of single status, then you will also need an extract copy of the birth certificate. You can conveniently apply for it after you get your certificate of single status as it is done in the same building, and will take less than 5 minutes. Moreover, the extract copy is in both Malay and English.
In addition, you can also ask the officer to make some certified true copies for you, just in case.
5. Documents Required
For the application, you will need to prepare the following documents:
1. *Form JPN.KC09 (original) – fill up section A & C only
2. MyKad (original and photocopy)
3. Passport pages with personal details of prospective spouse who is a non-citizen (photocopy)
4. **Application Letter (Letter of Reason) stating the purpose of the application (original)
5. Statutory declaration form (original)
If you are applying for an extract copy of the birth certificate, then you will need to prepare these documents as well:
1. *Form JPN.LM12 (original)
2. MyKad (original and photocopy)
*The official website states that you cannot use the online forms, but only the forms collected from JPN. I used the online forms anyway and there were no problems, just be prepared to use the hardcopy forms at JPN.
**I have confirmed with the officer that applicants can use any self-written letter. This is a letter I drafted for the application as close to the original as possible, feel free to use it or write your own letter. Otherwise, you can also collect from JPN directly.
3-Step Application for the Certificate of Single Status
Once you have everything prepared, then you can follow the steps below to obtain the certificate:
Step One: Statutory declaration – swear your oath @ Istana Kehakiman (Palace of Justice)
Basically, this step will also take you less than 5 minutes as long as you have your declaration form and MyKad ready. It is also located at Putrajaya, a 7-minute walk away from JPN.
The declaration will cost you RM4. I did this step with an external Commissioner for Oath and paid RM4 as well, though some others may charge differently.
Update 2 Aug 2022: As many readers have commented, there is now an office on the ground floor of JPN (near the ATM machine) where you can do the swearing of oath as well.
Address:
Pejabat Ketua Pendaftar
Mahkamah Persekutuan Malaysia
Aras 3, Presint 3 Istana Kehakiman
Federal Territory of Putrajaya
Wilayah Persekutuan
62506 Putrajaya
Hours:
Weekdays: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sat / Sun / PH: Closed
Tel: +603 8880 3500
Step Two: Apply for the certificate of single status @ JPN (NRD Headquarter)
If you already have done your statutory declaration in advance, you can come ~10 minutes before the opening time. You do not need to come too early ahead as the escalator is closed and you’ll not be able to enter.
Upon arriving, head towards the escalator and stand around it. When it is the opening time, the security guard will release the escalator and you can then quickly go one level up to the 1st floor to take the queue number for the application.
When it is your turn, the officer will take around 10 minutes to process your application. After that, you’ll be asked to wait for your name to be called to collect the certificate. My name was called after about 15 minutes.
Reason to come early: The officer takes quite a really long time to process each queue number, so if you’re not rushing, by all means take your time. A good gage is approximately 15 minutes for 1 queue number.
The application costs RM5.
*Remember to apply for the extract copy of birth certificate after this step if you have not done so, it is in the same building (level 3) and will take you less than 5 minutes.
Address:
Ketua Pengarah
Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara
(Bahagian Perkahwinan dan Perceraian)
No. 20, Persiaran Perdana Presint 2
62551 Putrajaya
Hours:
Weekdays: 7:30am to 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am to 2:00pm
Sun / PH: Closed
Tel: +603 8000 8000
Step Three: Get the certificate endorsed by Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign Affair)
The Consular Section at Wisma Putra only (not even at the Consular Section of Malaysian Embassy in Singapore) will need to endorse the Certificate of Single Status. I went at around 9:30am, submit the documents to be endorsed, and then received them back after about an hour.
I have also requested the original extract copy of birth certificate to be endorsed, in case the foreign marriage registry needs them to be done the same way as the certificate of single status. You’ll pay more for this, but it’s better to be safe.
The endorsement costs RM10 for the certificate of single status, and RM20 for the birth certificate.
Address:
Wisma Putra
No 1, Jalan Wisma Putra
Precinct 2 Wilayah Persekutuan
62602 Putrajaya
Hours:
Weekdays: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Sat / Sun / PH: Closed
Tel: +603 8887 4000
When I first started searching, I could not find a very detailed guide online. As a result, I’ve wasted so much time and money that could have been avoided.
Hence, I have written this guide from my experience to help more people in need of a little guidance. If you’re reading this for your marriage preparation, I wish you a smooth application process and a blessed marriage ahead!
Does my foreign partner need to be present at the Commissioner of Oath and at the Jabatan Pendaftaran? ( It’s Covid and my foreign partner can’t get in). Can I get the Sworn declaration done at an external Commissioner of Oath or has it got to be at the Palace of Justice. Would appreciate any feedback.
Hi there, this is very details thank you.
I have some questions that I hope you may be able to help me with.
I’m Malaysian and my partner is British. We want to get married in Malaysia, I understand that I have to obtain my single status certificate which is not a problem. However, UK does not provide single status document to commonwealth countries. Which means my partner will not be able to obtain it. This is what is on Gov.UK
“The UK does not issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries. You’ll need to explain this if you’re asked to provide a CNI or a similar document to prove you’re allowed to marry.”
So is It just me that need to provide a single status document?
The forms that I have to fill up, I’m not sure if your links have changed understand that this was written years ago. But the links don’t seem to work for me. Anyone knows where I can get those forms from?
Hi I want to know your process as well. I’m going to register with my British partner too
Hello all! I went to get my single status cert and extract copy of birth cert on 25 July 2022 (Monday) in JPN putrajaya, I was there at 8.30am and got both the documents within 3 hours. Another 1 hour for me to get both documents legalized at KLN (including 6 mins to drive there it’s nearby JPN with ample free parking). So total time spent around 4 hours!
I would like to share my experience that for each extract copy of birth cert, you will need to submit 1 photocopy of your IC (e.g. 2 copies of birth cert means you need to submit 2 copies of your IC, you can request max. of 3 birth certs at JPN). There is photocopy machine at the information counter, but super long que there and they will not give you a que number unless you have your photocopy IC ready. So very important to get your IC photocopied BEFORE going to JPN and save some time!
At KLN, the que starts at the guard house outside the building, and I queued for 15 mins under the bare blue sky. Luckily, I brought an umbrella. Take note that here there is a QR code you scan while waiting in line, and complete your visitor form. The guard will ask for your IC in exchange for a visitor’s card….you get back your IC on the way out.
Hope my sharing helps you, good luck everyone!
Jo, so what is the validity of single status cert, is it the same as in 150 days?
Hi Walter, yes 150 days validity for single stats is certificate
Thank you for you very detailed information to be honest, I am a muslim and this guidance also helps me. The different part is for the JPN KC09 form. For muslims, you may need to follow as per below steps:
1) Akuan angkat sumpah that you are single – this can be done at any Pesuruhjaya. I did mine at Medan Mara because nearby to Jawi
2) Send the surat akuan angkat sumpah to Jawi and you may get your single status cert within 3 working days and the cert is in English.
3) Dont forget to fill up Borang Kebenaran Nikah di luar negara from sspim website.
4) Get endorsement for your single status cert at Wisma Putra. But need to get stamp from Notary Public first before Wisma Putra.
Notary Public address :No.22A Jalan Diplomatik Precint 15 Putrajaya.
Hope this helps!
❤
Hi Faten, thank you for the step-by-step guide to get the single status from Jawi. I’m also trying to get my single status for my marriage overseas. Just wondering, before you got your single status, did your partner have to do it first? I was told that even though my partner is non-Malaysian, he had to complete the “Permohonan Kebenaran Berkahwin” on sppim website in order for me to get my single status certificate. Thanks in advance.
Thank you for your valuable sharing!
The passport copy of the personal details is for the commisioner of oath to verify the details (for the one you want to marry to)
I am asking that because I would like to get married in EU under same sex marriage.
Anybody could help?
Hello there Bryant
I was wondering if you could help me with some info regarding this matter as well as I would like to get married in EU under same sex marriage. Did you encounter any problem regarding this matter? I would be very pleased if you could give me some info about this matter as well
Hello Beauty of Defect,
Firstly thank you so much for this article.
Just to check, is it possible for me to do to my:
Step1:
Statutory declaration somewhere nearby Selangor
Step 2:
Certificate of single status @ JPN NRD on a Saturday
Step 3:
Cert endorsed @ Wisma Putra on a weekday or can I assign someone on my behalf to do this part alone?
It is hard to get off from work so I’m wondering if this way would work so I could finish the process faster.
Please advice.
Thank you so much
Hi there, I want to apply for the freedom to marry cert in Malaysia. I am a non-muslim (malaysian) getting married to a irish citizen(muslim). Does the procedure you go through still apply to me as I saw a requirement to show your future spouse passport when applying. I am planning to move to ireland permanently and am NOT planning to register my marriage in Malaysia.
Did mine today. Followed the steps listed above and got everything done. Note that if you’re from Sarawak, you can get your Single Status Certificate in Sarawak. Apparently the power was given to Sarawak since two years ago (2020). Waiting time if you do it in Putrajaya is 1-2 hours.
I just wanted to aknowlege and thank you for your detailed information and effort put into this.
Hi guys, just got my single status cert done ytd on 3rd October 2022 (Monday) in Putrajaya. Thanks so much to BeautyofDefect for making this extensive guide. So so helpful.
I did not get an extract copy of birth cert as I already have that done before this while applying for visa. So for the single cert alone, I only needed one photostat copy of my prospective spouse’s passport.
Go into the JPN build, theres an escalator to your left, take that up. Immediately on the left will be the office to make the statutory declaration. Immeidately in front of you will be another set of escalators to go up another floor, that’s where you look for the department for “Perkahwinana dan Perceraian” (P&P) to apply for the single cert. Counter for getting your number is to the left of that department.
I arrive just past 8am, went to the P&P to get the StatDec and JPNKC09 form. Sorted that out, went to the statutory declaration office at 8:15am. The officer only came in at around 8:20am.. Went in, got the 2nd number. Officer took maybe 10 minutes to get ready, but once she started calling in the numbers it was quite fast. My turn was over in 5 minutes. In the StatDec form, I put in my prospective spouse’s passport so the officer asked for a photocopy of the passport to verify the that the details I filled in were correct, but she did not take the photocopy. Paid RM4 (cash only). Came out at 8:40am.
Went up to the P&P to get my number. This part was the longest wait. They seem to be prioritising marriage registration over single cert applications. But I waited roughly 1.5 hours for my turn at the counter. They only needed the photocopy of my prospective spouse’s passport and my original IC. Then took a seat to wait for collection. Paid RM5 (debit or credit card only). Got the full document at around 10:20am.
Took a 5~ minute drive over to KLN. Register yourself as a visitor at the guard house. Remember to scan the QR code toe complete the visitor form, as the guard at the counter will still ask you to do that. You get a visitor pass while they hold your IC. Go in to the main building, make a left and head towards the consular area. Get your number, they will ask for your single cert, then give you your number. It was around 10:35 at this point. You will be called once to submit the cert soon, then again a bit later for collection and payment. Paid RM10 (cash only). Came out at 11am.
When I arrived at 8am, it was still quiet. JPN started to fill up around 9am onwards.
As the BeautyofDefect has pointed out, you would probably be in and out if you have your StatDec done prior somewhere else with the forms downloaded here, before 9am with your single cert. But still manageable if you go empty handed. For me I only needed one photocopy of my prospective spouse’s passport. There is a mini market next to the StatDec office with a photocopy machine. Constantly a long line. The mini market owner has no time to take payment from ppl who wants to get food/drink because he was busy manning the machine!
Hope this helps. Good luck to anyone else getting your visas done!
Hi all. Went to get my single cert on Monday the 3rd of October in Putrajaya, to apply for a propective marriage visa to Australia. The only documents I needed was a photocopy of my prospective spouse’s passport, and my real IC.
Into the front entrance of the JPN building, escalator on your left. At the top, immediately on your left is the office to do the Statutory Declaration; in front is another set of escalators to go up to the next level to apply for the single cert (look for Perkahwinan & Perceraian section).
I arrived at JPN just past 8am, still quite empty. Went up to the Perkahwinan & Perceraian (P&P) section to get the StatDec form and the JPNKC09 form. Filled it up, went down to the StatDec office. The officer arrived around 8:20am, went in and got the 2nd number. Needed to show photocopy of prospective spouse’s passport to show that the info I put into the form is valid. Got the StatDec done around 8:40am. Paid RM4, cash only.
Went up to the P&P to get my number. My turn came up around 9:45am, submitted the forms, with the photocopy of prospective spouse’s passport. Need to present IC here. Paid RM5 here (credit/debit card). Took a seat again. Got my single cert at 10:25am.
Drove over to KLN, quick 5-10min drive away. Register yourself at the guardhouse, scan the QR code first to fill in the visitor form. Walk to the main building, once past the entrance, turn left to the Konsular section. Go to the big glass counter, present your single cert and they will give you your number. Received the single cert with the KLN stamp at 11am. Paid RM10 cash.
JPN started to crowd up around 9am. The P&P section handles marriage registrations as well. They seem to prioritise marriage registrations over others. There is a number sequence starting with U and another starting with V (for marriage registrations). While I had waited for 6 numbers on the U, I saw them process at least 12 marriage registrations before my turn.
As BeautyofDefect has mentioned, if you have your StatDec done prior to this, you would be able to get your number and queue immediately at the P&P to sort your single cert out, which would save you loads more time.
There is a small minimarket next to the StatDec office with a photocopy machine, long line of people to use it.
Thank you so much to BeautyofDefect for the info shared here and also to all others who shared their account. It was a lot of help! All the best to everyone else who will be applying for theirs!
Hi Beauty of Defect
Thanks so much for sharing the information here, as well as others who have shared their experience in getting the process done. Indeed, very useful and helpful!
I’m a Muslim woman and will marry my fiance who resides in Scotland and I’ll live there eventually. I came across Faten’s update about her application process with Jawi.
So, I wonder how does it work for a divorced woman, please?
Many thanks.
Hello there… just wonder that if the staffs there speaks English? Because I can’t speak Malay at all… For now I’ve already had step 1 & 2 done in Penang at the JPN told me that I need to get my Single Status cert endorse in Putrajaya so I think there wont be a big problem but I’m a bit confused about the birth cert extract copy thingy… Is that a must?
Hi Chris, yes they do speak English well.
The extract copy of birth cert is not a must. I just mentioned it because it can be done at JPN very quickly, and in my case it was required.
That’s a relief… Thank you for all the information. Much appreaciated. Have a nice day^^
Hello Beauty of Defect.
Thanks to the information you shared here, I was able to get everything done.
But now I need to get another single status certificate for visa application purpose. So I wonder if I can just get another single status certificate like before? Is it allowed to apply for multiple times?
I didn’t mean it rush you but a quick response would be highly appreciated. Thanks again!
Hello Beauty of Defect^^
Thanks again for the information you’ve shared here. I was able to get everything done in 40 min+.
Do you happened to know if the Single Status cert can be reissue? If it’s possible do I have to go through all the process from meeting to commisioner of oath till getting my cert endorsed by the consular in PJ? It turns out that I might need another Single Status cert for applying the visa…
Thank you once again.
I think you should check with JPN. Few years back the officer told me that it can only be issued once, but this could have changed.
All the best!
For the statuory status, anyone know the steps if I authorise my family to apply for the certificate of single status on my behalf?
Hi Mindy!
I would like to know about the steps too as I’m thinking to do the same.