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Planning on tying the knot? Obtaining a marriage license is one of the most essential steps before saying “I Do.” After all, this legal document ensures the law recognizes your marriage. Fortunately, the process of getting a marriage license in 2024 is pretty straightforward. To help you get started, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to get a marriage license in the Philippines including important details such as its requirements, validity and some helpful tips!

What is a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a legal document that allows a couple to get married in the Philippines. It serves as permission from local jurisdiction for the couple to enter into a legally recognized marriage.

The officiant usually signs the license after the marriage ceremony before submitting it to the appropriate government office for registration. Thus, making your marriage official. In many places, couples will need to apply for a marriage license before the wedding by submitting requirements.

Here’s a sample of a Marriage License application form:

What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?

It can be easy to confuse a marriage license with a marriage certificate because of their names. However, the two are different documents. A marriage license is a legal document that allows a couple to get married. You usually also need to obtain this permit before your wedding date. Meanwhile, a marriage certificate is an official document proving a couple is married. It’s also often issued after your wedding ceremony.

Marriage License Requirements in the Philippines

Eligibility Requirements

Here are the eligibility requirements for applicants who wish to apply for a marriage license in the Philippines:

• At least one of the contracting parties is a resident of the municipality
• The applicants must be 18 years old or above
• Must be a male and a female
• Not currently married to someone else
• Not closely related by blood or marriage

Necessary Documents

Here are the documents you need to prepare when applying for a marriage license:

• Accomplished Application Form for Marriage License
• 1 Valid ID for each applicant
• PSA Birth Certificate
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
• Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
• Seminar Certificate/s
• Certificate of death of the deceased spouse (for widowers)
• Parent’s consent (for applicants 18-20 years old)
• Parent’s advice (for applicants 21-24 years old)

If one or both of the couple is annulled, you’ll also need to present the following documents:

• Decree of Annulment/Decree of Declaration of Nullity of Marriage certified by the court
• Court Decision with Finality
• Annotated Certificate of Marriage (COM) of the previous marriage

If one or both of the applicants is divorced, you’ll need to present the following additional requirements:

Divorced granted to Foreigner/Non-Filipino citizens:

• Apostille in apostille countries (except for Austria,  Finland, Germany, and Israel). If divorced in Japan, attach a Certificate of divorce issued by the Japanese Embassy with an attachment of notification of divorce or certification of acceptance.
• Divorce decree (certified machine copies)

Divorce granted to Muslim Filipinos by the Shari’ah Court (PD 1083)

• Divorce Decree
• Court Decision certified by the Shari’ah Court
• Annotated Security Paper of the Marriage
•  Contract with Official Receipt from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA)

Divorce granted by foreign Courts to Filipino/s abroad whose marriage took place in the Philippines

• Divorce decree issued by a foreign court
• Judicial Recognition of Divorce obtained from the Philippine Court
• Annotated Security Paper of the Marriage Certificate with Official Receipt issued by the PSA

Note that the requirements for a marriage license can vary per municipality, so it’s best to check with local authorities to ensure you acquire the proper documents.

Also Read: GUIDE: Divorce Bill in the Philippines (History and Recent Updates)

Required Seminars

Civil weddings:

For couples above 25 years old:

• Pre-Marriage Orientation from the Community Improvement Division

For applicants below 25 years old:

• Pre-Marriage Orientation (CID)
• Pre-Marriage Counseling (CSWD)

Church weddings:

For couples below 25 years old:

• Pre-Marriage Orientation (CID)
• Pre-Cana Seminar (from the church)

Fees

Take note that you’ll only pay for the fees after your marriage license is verified 

• Marriage Application fee – ₱ 300
• Marriage Certificate fee – ₱60
• Marriage License fee (National) – ₱2
• Certified Photocopy fee of requirements submitted – ₱30 per copy

The fees for processing a marriage license can also vary per municipality, so make sure to check with your local CCRO for the exact costs.

How to get a marriage license in the Philippines

Similar to the requirements, the steps to applying for a marriage license can vary per municipality. However, here are the general steps on how to get a marriage license in the Philippines:

• Submit the documentary requirements to your local CCRO
• Fill out the Application for Marriage License Form
• Wait for the staff to give you the schedule of your required seminars
• After attending the seminars, submit your certificates to your CCRO
• Sign your printed marriage license
• Pay for the license fees to the Municipal Treasury Office
• Wait for the 10-day posting period
• Go back to your CCRO and claim your marriage license

Once you have your marriage license, you can now submit it to your solemnizing officer and start processing your Certificate of Marriage with the Civil Registry Office.

If your municipality has an online application form for applying for a marriage license, like Cagayan de Oro, here’s how the process will go:

• Obtain all the necessary documentary requirements
• Visit your municipality’s online portal
• Fill out the online Pre-Application for Marriage License through your municipality’s online portal
• Personally submit the documentary requirements to your CCRO and sign the printed Application for Marriage License
• Wait for the ten-day posting period, which starts on the day following the date of application
• Claim your marriage license, along with your original documents

How long does it take to process a Marriage License in the Philippines?

You can usually finish applying for a marriage license at your local CCRO within a day. But, as discussed above, your application will undergo a ten-day posting period before you can get your license. The period starts the day after you submit your requirements. However, if you submit your documents on a Friday, the posting period will start on Monday.

Also Read: GUIDE: How to Request a PSA CENOMAR Online

Can you get a rush marriage license in the Philippines?

Unfortunately, you can’t get a rush marriage license in the Philippines since there’s no legal way to bypass the 10-day posting period – even if you’re a foreign national who only has a limited time in the country. The posting period allows enough time for any objections to the marriage to be brought forward.

How long is the validity of a marriage license in the Philippines?

The validity of a marriage license in the Philippines is 120 days from its date of issuance. But if the applicants didn’t get married within the time period, they can renew their license.

Can you get a marriage license in the Philippines if you’re an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)?

If you’re an OFW planning to get married in the Philippines, you can get a marriage license from your respective municipality. Just follow the same steps as discussed above. However, if your partner is an OFW who’s currently not in the country, you’ll need to present an authorization letter to your CCRO to get your license approved.

How do I know if my marriage is registered?

Your marriage is registered if you’re issued a marriage certificate after your wedding ceremony. If not, you can request one from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Another option that we recommend is to check with your Local Civil Registry (LCR) where your marriage took place. They are responsible for forwarding marriage certificates to the PSA. So, your marriage should first be registered there.

Tips for Getting a Marriage License

Obtaining a marriage license is an important step in getting married in the Philippines. To help make the process go smoothly, here are tips to keep in mind:

• Ensure you and your partner meet the eligibility requirements for applying for a marriage license in the Philippines. Otherwise, make sure to have your parent’s consent.
• Make sure to obtain the complete documentary requirements before visiting your CCRO.
• Don’t forget to attend the required pre-marriage counseling seminars. They often cover useful topics like family planning and financial management to help set you and your partner up for your future.
• Plan the timing of your marriage license. Remember that there’s a 10-day posting period, so make sure to submit your application with plenty of time before your wedding date. 

Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4)

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Keep Reading: GUIDE: How to Request a PSA Marriage Certificate Online