To be married in the Philippines, one should be at least 18 years old and must be without any legal impediments.
Welcome to the most mundane and unromantic part of getting married… DOING THE PAPERWORK. Contrary to what we see on TV, we can’t just run off to the nearest church right after the engagement.
Here are the requirements and steps on how to get married in the Philippines:
BASIC DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
- Barangay Clearance and Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
To obtain your barangay clearance and community tax certificate, you have to get your purok clearance first from your purok president. Once that’s done, you can proceed to the barangay hall, present a valid ID together with your purok clearance.
Cost: 50 PHP - PSA Birth Certificate
You can either walk-in to the nearest PSA center or send your request online here.
Cost: 140 PHP (walk-in) or 350 PHP (online) - PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
Same as stated for the PSA Birth Certificate. - POPCOM Pre-marriage Counseling Certificate
To secure the pre-marriage counseling certificate, go to the Commission on Population office, fill up the registration form and attend the pre-marriage counseling orientation together with your future spouse. The certificate will be released after the orientation and once the counseling fee is paid. I recommend attending the pre-marriage counseling orientation first before applying for your marriage license. This way, you save one trip going back to the Office of the City Civil Registrar.
Cost: 100 PHP - 1 Recent 1×1 Photos
Photo must be taken in the last 6 months - Marriage License Application Form
Personally submit all the documents stated above to the Office of the City Civil Registrar – Marriage Division and fill up the application form for marriage license together with your partner. Two witnesses are required to also sign the form. Once all the necessary steps are complied with and the processing fee has been paid, the marriage license will be released after 10 working days. With the marriage license, you can get married anywhere in the Philippines within 120 days from date of issue. Keep in mind that a marriage contracted with an expired marriage license is tantamount to marrying without a marriage license and will be therefore considered void from the beginning. Cost: 300 PHP
Important Note: Ensure all details are correct, keep all receipts and secure photocopies of all documents.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
- Affidavit of Parental Consent
For applicants aged 18-21 years of age only
- Affidavit of Parental Advice
For applicants aged 22-25 years of age only
- Death Certificate of Deceased Spouse
For widow or widower applicants only - Court Decision and Certificate of Finality
For annulled or divorced applicants only
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS
- Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage
Obtained from the consulate or embassy in the Philippines - Photocopy of the Passport
Pages showing personal information and date of arrival
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CATHOLIC WEDDING
- Baptismal & Confirmation Certificates
Get both your baptismal and confirmation certificates from the church(es) that you have been baptized and confirmed with an annotation “FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES ONLY” not more than 3 months prior your wedding day. - Banns
Visit your parochial office at least 3 months prior the wedding day for the publishing of your wedding banns. Banns are simply public announcements (usually a month long) made in the church where you are getting married and in your respective parishes.
- Canonical Interview
Schedule for the canonical interview is usually given upon application and payment of the reservation fee. The interview will be conducted by a parish priest or parish assistant. - Certification of Pre-Marriage Seminar Attendance
After the canonical interview, the schedule for pre-wedding seminar will be given or just inquire at the parish office. There are other independent organizations that provide seminars for couples which are recognized by some churches. You and your partner may like to check out Catholic Engaged Encounter, Center for Family Minitries and Discovery Weekend Philipines.
- Marriage Permit
Secure your marriage permits from your respective parishes and submit them to the parish office of your chosen venue.
- List of Principal Sponsors
Submit the list of your principal sponsors – ninongs and ninangs – along with their addresses to the parish office one week before the wedding date. Church policy requires a minimum of 2 principal sponsors and a maximum of 6. Penalties may apply for exceeding the allowable number of principal sponsors.
MARRIAGES EXEMPTED FROM MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
A marriage is considered to be null and void in the absence of a marriage license. However, there are special instances provided under the 1987 Family Code of the Philippines Chapter 1, Article 27 to 34 where marriages are exempted from obtaining the requirements for marriage license. The conditions are as follows:
- In Articulo Mortis
Marriages when either or both parties are at the point of death. The marriage will remain valid even when the ailing party survives.
- No Means of Transportation
Marriages when either or both parties live in far flung places with no means of transportation going to the Local Civil Registrar. - Five Year Cohabitation
Marriages of couples who have lived together as husband and wife for a minimum of 5 continuous years and are free from any legal impediments. An Affidavit of Cohabitation must be executed. - Islamic and Ethic Weddings
Under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines and the Organic Act of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, marriages among Muslims or among members of the ethnic cultural communities of the Cordillera Autonomous Region that are solemnized in accordance with their customs, rites, or practices are also exempted from marriage license requirements. Other ethnic groups, however, are still governed by the 1987 Family Code of the Philippines.
SOLEMNIZING OFFICERS
According to the 1987 Family Code of the Philippines Chapter 1, Article 7, the following are authorized to solemnize marriages:
- Any incumbent member of the judiciary within the court’s jurisdiction
For those who want to be wed outside the chambers or courtroom of the judge/court justice, the protocol is to submit a notarized document requesting for the officiant to solemnize the marriage at your chosen venue. Keep in mind that while the marriage can take place outside the the chambers or courtroom, the judge or court justice cannot officiate outside of the area he/she is appointed. For example, a judge from Iligan City cannot solemnize a wedding in Cagayan de Oro City.
Click here to check the master list of incumbent members of the judiciary. - Any authorized priest, rabbi, imam, or minister of any church or religious sect
Approach your religious leaders for any additional info and requirements on getting hitched in your church.
Click here to search for authorized religious solemnizing officers in your area. - Any ship captain or airplane chief
Only in the case mentioned in Article 31 of the Family Code
- Any military commander of a unit
Only in the cases mentioned in Article 32 of the Family Code - Any consul-general, consul or vice-consul
Only in the case provided in Article 10 of the Family Code
In addition, according to the Local Government Code of 1991 Chapter 3, Article 1, Section 444 (xviii) and Section 445 (xviii), municipal mayors and city mayors are also authorized to solemnize marriages.
HOW TO GET MARRIED WITH A JUDGE AS THE SOLEMNIZING OFFICER
- Write a Letter of Intent to Marry and submit that together with your Marriage License to the Regional/Municipal Trial Court.
- Pay the solemnization fee of 800 PHP.
- Your wedding date and presiding judge will be assigned to you through a raffle process.
- Bring at least two witnesses on the day and get married!
HOW TO GET MARRIED WITH A MAYOR AS THE SOLEMNIZING OFFICER
- Write a Letter of Intent to Marry and submit that together with your Marriage License to the Office of the City/Municipal Mayor.
- Check for available dates and set the day of your wedding.
- Pay the solemnization fee of 500 PHP.
- Bring at least two witnesses on the day and get married!
Important Note: Fees may vary depending on your location.
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICANTS IN ILIGAN CITY
- Office of the Civil Registrar & Office of the City Mayor
Iligan City Hall, Buhanginan Hill, 9200, Iligan City -
Commission on Population (POPCOM) Office
Tambo Integrated Bus Terminal, Iligan City
Landmark: Super 5 - Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Office
Barnuevo Building, Badelles Ext, Iligan City
Landmark: Zoey Cafe Palao