Before you say I do to your special someone, there are important things to keep you busy.

And
wedding day is not all that beers, foods etc. You also need the legal documents to complete prior
to your most awaited day. And one of the most important is the Marriage License; otherwise, you
wont be allowed to have a church or civil wedding without this license.
WHETHER YOURE TYING THE KNOT WITH A FILIPINO,
AMERICAN, OR ANY OTHER FOREIGNER, THIS GUIDE
ON HOW TO GET MARRIAGE LICENSE IN THE
PHILIPPINES IS FOR YOU!
To apply for the marriage license in the Philippines, both parties must go personally to the the
local civil registrar of the city, town or municipality where either the groom or the bride
habitually resides. Release of marriage license is approximately 2 weeks (10 days)
after the application.
Once marriage license is issued, it can be used wherever you want to get married in the
Philippines. Just an important reminder! Validity is only within 120 days of issuance and
according to the law, shall be deemed automatically cancelled at the expiration of said period
if the contracting parties have not made use of it.
What You Need to apply for marriage license in the Philippines :
Certified true copy of you and your partners NSO birth certificates (1 original and 2
photocopies). You can request from the NSO office or apply online through e-
Census. NSO Helpline Plus is also available with telephone no. (632) 737.1111 or email
them at e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph
Affidavit of parental consent or advice. 18 years is the legal age of Marriage in the
Philippines. If one of you are between the ages 18 and 21, a consent from parents, surviving
parent or guardian is required. On the other hand, if either of you are between the age of 22
and 25, a written parental advice indicating that your parents are aware of your intention to
marry will be required. You can either bring your parents during application or just submit a
notarized letter of consent/advice.
Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) or Certificate of Singleness (1 original and 1
photocopy). This document will prove that you havent been married before. It is issued by
the NSO, with a fee of Php 195. Release is after 4 working days.
Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marriage counseling, family planning, and responsible
parenthood seminar.T he pre-marriage counseling is usually conducted by the Church or the
DSWD for civil marriages. The family planning and responsible parenthood seminar, on the
other hand, is held at the health department (specifically the Division of Maternal and Child
Health) of your municipal/city hall. Make sure to check the schedules as some are
conducted daily while others have a specific schedule within the week. If you failed to
secure the certificates before applying for a marriage license, you will be asked to attend the
required seminars before your wedding date.
Community Tax Certificate or Cedula (1 original and 2 photocopies).
Barangay Clearance (1 original and 1 photocopy).
At least 2 valid IDs.
Recent 1 x 1 photo (colored or black and white).
Marriage license application form (issues by the LCR office).
Other requirements for application for marriage license in the Philippines (in addition to
above):
If annulled, Certificate of Finality of Annulment from the Court (1 original and 2
photocopies) and Certificate of Registration from the Local Civil Registrar (1 original and 2
photocopies).
If widowed, Death Certificate of deceased spouse
For foreigners applying for marriage license in the Philippines :
Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage.This document, issued by the consular
office/embassy of the foreigners country, serves as a proof of his/her civil status
and eligibility for marriage in the Philippines.
A photocopy of passport.