Yes and no. While they serve the same practical purpose—proving you are legally free to marry—they are technically the same document issued under a specific name by NIRA (National Identification and Registration Authority) in Uganda.
In Uganda, NIRA officially refers to this document as a Marital Status Letter.
The Comparison
| Feature | Marital Status Letter (NIRA) | Single Status / No Impediment |
| Official Name | Marital Status Letter | General international terms |
| Purpose | To confirm a Ugandan is single and has the capacity to marry abroad. | Same purpose; confirms no legal “impediment” (existing marriage) exists. |
| Issuer | NIRA (Civil Registry) | Various names depending on the country. |
Why the names differ
- Single Status Letter: A generic term often used by embassies or foreign governments.
- Certificate of No Impediment (CNI): A formal term used in many Commonwealth and European countries.
- Marital Status Letter: The specific Ugandan terminology used by NIRA.
If a foreign country or embassy is asking you for a “Certificate of No Impediment” or “Single Status Affidavit,” the Marital Status Letter from NIRA is the document you need to provide.
Requirements to get one from NIRA
To obtain this letter for use outside Uganda, you typically need:
Note: Once you receive the letter from NIRA, you will likely need to have it certified/legalized/notarized/ apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala if you are going to use it outside Uganda.
FOR PERSONALIZED LEGAL SERVICES & GUIDANCE CALL OR EMAIL ARNOLD
WhatsApp/Phone: +256 709 669443
Email: legalservice.uganda@gmail.com
Location: Kampala road, Mabirizi complex, 6th floor, Office AP05-Kampala, Uganda.