Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
I am from the state of Georgia in the US who has married a Spaniard. In order to married in Spain, the Spanish government requires a document stating you are currently not married and legally able to marry.
After speaking with every superior court office, country clerk’s office, etc, it seems like this doesn’t exist in the state of Georgia. Help!
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These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“I don’t know personally, but maybe on your american taxes when you’ve filed as single?”
“I have just been informed that this document does exist in Kentucky. Sadly, it does not exist in GA. Yay states’ rights!”
“It existed for Michigan and I paid a pretty penny to do a search.”
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“I think you can download something from the consulate page saying there isn’t anything in the US to demonstrate that you’re unmarried in all 50 states. I turned this in when getting my marriage license in Spain for my civil wedding last year.”
“I got this in New York and it turns out that I had to get it from the US embassy in Madrid. Made an appointment and they gave it to me right there. This was over 3 years ago FYI”
“i did the process recently and ever since 2020 they left a pdf statement in English and Spanish basically saying that there is no federal database for marriage records and that they don’t do this service.”
“Weeeell, every superior court office, country clerk’s office, etc is not being very helpful. I’m not saying they’re wrong, but the Certificate of No Impediment is a widely-used and well-known document. If it is not used in Georgia, they should still be able to advise you. Perhaps try again and if or when they say no ask them for more details. Sometimes bureaucrats can be a bit unhelpful and no offense but some in your state are not super sophisticated…I just finished watching ‘Deliverance’.”
“I am also from Georgia, looking for the same thing, and we are not exaggerating when we say that this form literally does not exist. And I went to the office of the county vital records, the county probate court, and to the vital records of Atlanta in person, explaining in detail what I need, and no one could help me. And so if anyone could tell us if from Georgia EXACTLY what they did to get this, or if they have already gone through the complete process with an approved PDH or marriage with documents other than this one, that would be more helpful than anything. Because it’s been super frustrating. Thank you!”
“I’m from CA, but I just asked the registro civil about this in August, and they responded with “Sabemos que en EE. UU no expiden certificado de soltería, si trae el documento del consulado donde lo exponga mejor si no no pasa nada.” (This is the document in question: Link here)
I had also asked about the sworn statement from a notary but they didn’t comment on that, so I assume it’s not necessary. Then again, my experience with Spanish bureaucracy is that it depends on who’s working that day, so I might bring it just in case.”
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