Q. Does an unmarried convert woman have to cover her hair?

A. As mentioned in response #238; Shulchan Oruch (E.H. 21, 2) rules that Jewish women should not go out with uncovered hair to public places, regardless if married or not. Perisha, Bais Shmuel, Beer Heitev, (ibid. 3 and 5) and others explain that “unmarried” refers to a widow or a divorced woman.

As far as a convert is concerned, Mincha Yitzchok (Likutey Teshuvos 149,2) includes an unmarried giyores in the group of women that have to cover their hair.

Mishnas Hager (42 p.497) contends that in the case of an unmarried convert there may be added reasons to be more lenient than with a widow or a divorcee and treat her as a maiden. This follows Biur Halocho’s reasoning (O.H. 75) that when the custom is to go uncovered we treat them as singles. Minchas Yitzchok (ibid.) also tends to be lenient in case of need.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that a previously unmarried convert, in case of need as when it would affect her chances to get married, can be lenient and not cover her hair.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a