Notice of Change of Personal Status

While abroad, it is obligated by law to notify the Consulate of marriage, divorce and/or widowhood by means of an official, signed authenticated certificate.

Requirements for updating personal status:

1. The relevant form, depending on the type of change, complete and signed:
- Notice of Marriage
- Notice of Divorce (Both parties (husband & wife) must sign the form)
- Notice of Widowhood

If this application is processed in the mail, it must be signed in the presence of a notary public and mailed back to the Consular Department by registered mail.

2. Original documents proving the personal status change. (Marriage/divorce/death certificate).

3. Any certificates presented at the Consulate must have an authenticating Apostille certificate attached, this certificate is issued by the department of state authentication office. You can contact the Apostille in Maryland, Virginia and Dc using the linked telephone numbers.  Apostille must be issued by the same state issuing your marriage/divorce/death certificate, if this certificates were not issued in Maryland Virginia or DC, if you have to contact the authentication office (Apostille) in the state issuing your documents you can click here in order to find the different Apostille offices.

4. A person whose personal status has changed should also decide what her family name would be henceforth.
To make the choice of name official please complete the Choice of Name form and send it with the other Change of Personal Status documents.

If this application is processed in the mail, it must be signed in the presence of a notary public and mailed back to the Consular Department by registered mail.