Every man and woman need to be ready for the dream day – the wedding day. Preparing for your wedding day is not all the way easy and simple. You need to know the legal documents required to Gget married in the Philippines. Many of you have no idea about the requirements nor the preparations to get married here in the Philippines. Anyway don’t worry. I have searched every page in the Internet about marriage in the Philippines to come out with the essential details you need to know. After reading this article you will have good idea what to do.
Getting married in the Philippines requires some preparations, no matter you are an alien or a local. Every you need to meet certain requirements to be able marry in the Philippines. you have to options for how to marry here. First you have to get your marriage license (permt), then you can have either a civil wedding or a religious wedding. Both of them are legal binding.
Requirements to Get Married in the Philippines
1- Certificate of Legal Capacity
you can get the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from your Embassy in Manila. If you are American contact: U.S. Embassy in Manila or the U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu. This must be done in person, your fiancee need not be present. Bring your valid passport, all documents that show you are free to marry, as well cash to pay the fees which are different from embassy to embassy (about 50 USD for America).
“Philippine law requires a citizen or subject of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of legal Capacity to Contract Marriage, issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, prior to the issuance of a marriage license in the Philippines.”
2- Parent’s Consent or Advice
It is required if the your fiancee is between 18 and 21 years old. If between 22 and 24, parental advice is required. This can be waived if the parents appear in person at the ceremony and give their blessing.
3- Single Status Certificate – CERNOMAR
Certificate of singleness for the Filipino fiancee. Request for a “Certificate of No Marriage” or “CERNOMAR” from either the National Statistics Office (NSO) , now called PSA. You can get it from the Office or order online.
4- Application for a marriage license
- Where to get it?
You van get it from the city hall - you have to submit the following:
1- your birth certificates,
2- affidavit of legal capacity to contract marriage,
3- your partner’s CERNOMAR,
4- your passport
5- and letter(s) of parental consent or advice (if applicable). - After 10 days, you can get your marriage license. It should be valid for 120 days anywhere in the Philippines.