Personal details on a resume
Should I include my marital status on my resume?
No, in most countries. Whether you are married, single or divorced has nothing to do with your ability to do the job.
What official guidance says:
- UK careers guidance advises leaving out marital status, and marriage or civil partnership is a protected characteristic at work.
- Canada's Job Bank advises leaving out marital status.
- Australia's human rights body includes marital status among grounds of workplace discrimination it covers.
In some Gulf and South Asian countries, marital status still appears on some CVs out of habit, but it is not needed. If your family situation affects your availability or visa, such as being on a spouse-sponsored visa, mention only the relevant point, like your work authorisation, not your marital status.
If an employer genuinely needs family information, for example for benefits or visa paperwork, they will ask for it after an offer, through HR.
Sources
- How to write a CV (National Careers Service (England))
- Discrimination: your rights (GOV.UK)
- How to write a good resume (Job Bank, Government of Canada)
- Other areas of workplace discrimination (Australian Human Rights Commission)
Reviewed · by the ResumeBuilder.ae editorial team
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General guidance for job seekers, not legal or immigration advice. Employers and applicant tracking systems differ, so always follow the instructions in the job advert. Spotted a mistake? Email support@jobb.ae.
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