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!
Thank you Beauty of Defect and everyone in the comments so much for sharing your experiences! I followed this guide step by step and got my Certificate of Single Status and endorsed in 3.5 hours! (yea there was plenty of mindless waiting)
But everyone was friendly and following this made the whole process so easyyyy!
Update: When I tried to get my birth cert at Putrajaya, they told me only a dwibahasa version is available, not a pure English version and they couldnt give it to me on the day itself as their system was down. I could only get it 1 – 2 weeks later. Sadly this means that I need to return to Wisma Putra to get it endorsed. My best suggestion: get your birth cert ready in your nearby JPN and then only travel to Putrajaya to do these 3 steps.
Good Luck!
take how long to complete all the document including certified and translate
Civil Status for same Sex Marriage.
Hello there everyone.
First of all thank you to the owner of this blog, Beauty of Defect for sharing a lot information about getting a Certificate of Civil Status in Malaysia.
I myself living abroad for 11 years now with my partner and I have decided to tie a knot with each other in our relationship. But being a gay is quite challenging for those who’re not accepting especially in Malaysia and this was my major concern for getting a document of Civil Status as a Malaysian.
So this goes for those who wanted to get married with the same sex partners. I wanted to share my experience here since I have been questioning some other people here but I never got any answer. So I hope my comment here will help those who’re in need and at least for those who’re in stress. 🙂
So just like everyone, I walked up to the counter to get the form and I told them that I would like to get married abroad and I need a civil status document. I was advised to fill in the paper ( including the name of my future spouse ) and once I had to fill up the JPNKC09 form, proceed straight to the StatDec office. Once my number was called in, the officer check the JPNKC09 form and the passport copy of my spouse, I was not questioned about the sex issue, but I did felt the awkwardness of the officer, I was told that I had to pay RM 4.00 and to put my signature on the JPNKC09 form and then once more on the huge book held by the officer itself and then he gave me the JPNKC09 form back and told me that I could proceed to the counter on the 1st floor to get the number for queue.
Once it was my turn and I just submitted the form and then the officer ask for my spouse passport copy. And then she was a little bit in shock and explained to me that normally you know in Malaysia, a marriage with same sex partner is not allowed and not legal but I can help you by giving you a Reference Letter to the Country that you wanted to get married and this will also declare your single civil status as well, and if that ok for you? My immediate answer was a big yes, and I told her ” thank you very much for your understanding” and I was amazed that she was very friendly towards me despite she being a muslim, then I was asked to be seated for a while and they will called me by my name once it is ready. It did took about a half an hour for me to get the paper and I was told that with this paper you could use to get married but please make sure that you get it endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affair Malaysia and as for my case,I will have to get it endorsed by the embassy as well.
So I hope this will help to ease some pressure for those who’re going through the same process as I did.
I wish you all the best and a Happy Marriage life
DV
to DV and regarding being gay. I also want to tie a knot with my malaysian partner (I am european). The issue is that he is Malay thus muslim. Can he follow the procedure you mention or does he have to go throught the muslim procedure (we are a little bit afraid about that…). Thank you.
F.
Hi frederic im also muslim and trying to apply single certificate for marrying with European. I also find a way to apply single certificate but i was so scared and shy. If you already find out the way to get single certificate please let me know.
S.
Hey there,
I am also applying for the single status certificate and currently residing in the Netherlands. I was told to apply my certificate from JPN in Malaysia. I saw your post and I thought that it is very helpful. But I have a few questions to ask
1) For the JPN Kc09 form. For section A, do i need to fill that in? I am not getting married but just want to get a single certificate (I am in same sex relationship) to be applying the partner visa in the NL.
2) Also, can I ask my parents to be applying the certificate on my behalf?
Do let me know. Thanks.
Hey Kelvin
1) Just say that you want to certify yourself as a single person, and it is not for the purpose of getting married. You’ll get some confused looks at first, but they will eventually get it. As such, you wouldn’t need to even declare your partner’s name/ details
2) No, I think the author has clearly stated that you have to be doing this yourself.
To DV,
Thanks for ur information。 I n my partner wish to get married at Europe this year. Was headache on this single status certificate.
Saw ur post, may I know do u able to get endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affair Malaysia after getting the cert?
Hi it’s an amazing blog for me to do it step by step. It is really helpful!! Thank you in advance but I have one question regarding to the extract copy of birth cert. If I want the English version do I need to go somewhere else to translate it and go back to Wisma to get the endorsement again? Because the one they gave is not in full English
Thank you for sharing it!!
But in my case I would only need it to join the matchmaking events for marriage purpose, so there is no spouse information to submit.
Is it possible to apply for the certificate in this case?
FYI I am living in Japan currently.
Hi there, it is best to check with JPN directly on this.
Thank you Beauty of Defect and DV. My partner and I will tie the knot this year, it makes me super nervous to declare my partner’s personal details as it will be a gay marriage. Fear beong rejected has consumed so much of my energy…the stress, only God knows what it feels. Thank you for the help guys.
My Wife is japanese.
Does she need the certificate oath in japan as well before she come to malaysia.
Hi im a male malaysian non muslim & my partner is a female muslim malaysian. Im just wondering if there will be any issue if i apply the certificate of single status, if they notice my partner passport. Eventhough the purpose is for us to get married abroad. I am just a little afraid if they might be some issues that might occur. Look forward to your guys advice/comments.
Hi, May I ask about the application letter, you type yourself or we can get this form from JPN? As I need to authorize my family member to apply for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Most invaluable! <3
Dear Beauty of Defect,
Thank you for your valuable info.
How long the certificate valid?
Appreciate your help with this rather daunting process!
I went today and wanted to give an update on what I experienced 🙂
1. Do not sign the Statutory Declaration Form until you are in front of the Commissioner of Oaths (I went to the one beside the ATM on the ground floor of JPN building). I should have known better of course, but just a head’s up for anyone who is new to this process. If you already signed it while filling up the form at home, then you have to head upstairs to the Department of Marriages to request a new form.
2. When submitting your request for the single status cert upstairs at the Department of Marriages, you only need the Statutory Declaration Form, and a photocopy of your future spouse’s passport details, and your original MYkad. They did not require the JPN.KC09 or letter of reason.
Thank you so much for this guide – it is super helpful to get an understanding of the process and have everything prepared before applying in-person. I wanted to pay it forward to anyone who are looking for information on this process as there are some changes to the documentations and process.
I received my certificate of single status, extract of birth certificate in Putrajaya on February 28th, 2024 (Wednesday).
I arrived at 7:40am, with plenty of parking spots at the public parking right next to JPN. Only debit cards and Touch n’Go cards are accepted as parking entry and exit. By the time I arrived at JPN, escalators are closed and only opens at 8am.
Step One: Statutory declaration form
Swear your oath @ statutory declaration office on the ground floor of JPN (near the ATM machine) and they will complete the form for you. If you are here in the afternoon, after 12pm, you will have to get this completed at the Pejabat Ketua Pendaftar, Mahkamah Persekutuan Malaysia, Aras 3, Presint 3 Istana Kehakiman, Federal Territory of Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan 62506 Putrajaya. If you needed to go to Istana Kehakiman, this Reddit post provide good info on dressing code, and instructions (https://www.reddit.com/r/malaysia/comments/w9bp1w/certificate_of_single_status_how_to_get_it/?sort=new). If you have this document ready to go, you can head up directly to Level 1 for “Perkahwinan dan Perceraian” (P&P) department and get a number. Only with this completed form you will be giving a number for the service. If you do not have this form, head up to Level 1 first and they will provide you one, and you can head back down to ground floor/ Mahkamah Persekutuan to complete this process.
Documents Required (updated as of February 28th, 2024)
1. Statutory declaration form
2. MyKad (original and photocopy)
3. Passport pages with personal details of prospective spouse who is a non-citizen (photocopy)
**Payment is RM 10 (only debit card is accepted)
My experience:
When I reached JPN P&P department at 8:05am, I was told to go to the statutory declaration office on the ground floor for oath swearing & completion of the form. I was told that the office only opens at 8:30am, and they can’t give out a number to me. To fill up my time, I then head up to Level 3 to apply for an extract copy of my birth certificate. I was there around 8:15am, filled up a form and get a number. Payment for extract of birth certificate is RM 5 (cash and/or debit card). I received my extract copy of birth cert document by 8:28am. I headed down to the Statutory declaration office and waited for it to open at around 8:45am and get my form done around 9:15am.
Step Two: Apply for the certificate of single status @ JPN (NRD Headquarter)
Once you have your completed Statutory declaration form, head back up to Level 1, counter for getting your number is to the left of that department. Show all your documents, and you will be given a number.
Documents Required (updated as of February 28th, 2024)
For the application, you will need to prepare the following documents:
1. Statutory declaration form (original)
2. MyKad (original and photocopy)
3. Passport pages with personal details of prospective spouse who is a non-citizen (photocopy)
**Form JPN.KC09 (original) – no longer needed.
**Application Letter (Letter of Reason) stating the purpose of the application (original) – no longer needed
Payment is RM 5 (only debit card is accepted)
My experience:
With my completed documents, I headed back up and was given a number around 9:20am. I was called to a counter around 9:30am, submitted my documents and make my payment. They held on to my original IC as part of the application. The officer asked where do I intend to register my marriage and she kindly informed me I needed to endorse my certificate of single status at Wisma Putra (ministry of foreign affairs). I am asked to wait for my name to be called to collect my certificate. There were quite number of marriage registrations that day. It seems like they alternate service requests between marriage registrations and single cert applications (I guess this really depends on the day of your visit). My name was called at around 9:30am and I received my cert and my IC back.
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. There’s a 6 minutes drive to Wisma Putra, public parking is available and it’s free. Register yourself as a visitor at the guard house by scanning the QR code to complete the visitor form. Select consular service as reason for appointment. Upon completion, show the completed form to the guard, and get a visitor pass with your IC/driving license/passport. Go in to the main building, make a left and head towards the consular area. Get your number, they will ask for your certificates to be endorsed, then give you your number.
Documents Required (updated as of February 28th, 2024)
For the application, you will need to prepare the following documents:
1. Certificate of Single Status
2. Extract copy of birth certificate (if you want this to be endorsed)
3. IC (original & copy)
**Payment: RM10 for the certificate of single status, and RM20 for the birth certificate (cash only).
My experience:
I arrived at the public parking area around 9:40am. Right after I received my number, my turn was called immediately upon entering the service area on the left. Headed to the counter, and provided all my documents. I was asked to take a seat and my number will be called again for collection of endorsed certificates. It was around 10am at this point. My number was called for collection and payment at 10:10am. Came out at 10:15am, and collect my driver’s license from the guard house.
Definitely plan to arrive before 9am if you want to get everything done before 12pm. Hope this helps and good luck.
Thank you so much
Hi..I’m a non muslim malaysian citizen planning to marry a muslim girl who is citizen of India in india.. Will there be any issues in getting my single status certificate in malaysia to get married in india because I have to submit the passport details of my spouse who has a muslim name in it
Hello everyone! I wanted to share my experience of obtaining the single status certificate. I’m a Malaysian Muslim, and my fiancé is British. We’re planning to get married in Thailand this year. Below are the steps:
1. Obtain a statutory declaration from any commissioner of oaths. This can be done in a day.
2. Present the statutory declaration to Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI) to apply for the single status certificate (akuan bujang). This process took some time; they informed me that I could collect it after 7 working days, and the certificate is in English.
3. Visit a notary public to get the certificate notarised, which can be done in a day.
4. Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) to get the certificate attested/legalised. This process can also be completed in a day.
Hope this helps!