Civil Wedding Requirements in the Philippines: Complete Guide for Couples

Planning a civil wedding in the Philippines? Before saying “I do,” couples need to prepare several important legal documents and requirements to avoid delays during the application process. From birth certificates and CENOMAR documents to marriage license requirements, the process can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Requirements may also vary depending on your age, nationality, and local city or municipality.

In this guide, you’ll learn the complete civil wedding requirements in the Philippines, including the documents needed, fees, timelines, and helpful tips to make your wedding preparation easier.

Civil Wedding Requirements

Fees change depending on your city. Bring original papers. Keep photocopies for yourself. Common requirements are:

• At least 2 valid IDs
• Certificate from Pre-Marriage Counseling
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate
• CENOMAR
• Marriage License Application Form
• Barangay Certificate
• Cedula
• One 1×1 picture

Some of these will be explained later. Extra papers are only needed if there are special situations.

Summary of Extra Civil Wedding Requirements

• If 18-21 years old, you need Parental Consent. Your parent must come with you too.
• If 22-25 years old, you need Parental Advice, written or in person.
• Widowed? Bring the Death Certificate.
• Annulled? Bring a Certificate of Registration. A Certificate of Finality of Annulment from the court will help.
• If you’re a foreigner, bring:
  • Passport (bio-page)
  • Latest arrival stamp in the Philippines
  • Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (from your embassy)
  • Divorce Decree
  • Death Certificate
  • Naturalization Papers

What are the Requirements? How Do I Get Them?

Valid ID

Valid IDs show who you are. These should have your name, birth date, and signature. Examples include:

• Passport
• SSS / UMID ID
• Voter’s ID or Certificate of Registration
• BIR (TIN ID)
• Solo Parent ID
• Company ID
• School ID with current registration card
• Senior Citizen ID
• Postal ID

Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling

Go to your Local Civil Registrar to ask for the schedule. Both of you should attend this.

Topics include family planning and Filipino culture. After your seminar, you will be given the certificate.

PSA Birth Certificate & Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)

You can get them through walk-in applications or online. Foreigners need to get their birth certificates. The process can take a long time. Bring earphones if you need to wait in noisy areas.

Certificate of No Marriage

A CENOMAR proves a person is single or unmarried. You can’t marry if you are already married. If separated, it should prove that you are “single.”

Here’s how to get it online:

1. Go to the PSA SERBILIS website.

2. Read the terms and conditions. Click “I Accept.”

3. Fill in the details needed. Click “Next.”

4. Fill in more information. Click “Next.”

5. Check all the information. Click “Confirm.”

6. Review. Click “Add New Request” if needed. Then next.

7. Click “Proceed to Payment.”

Payment options

• Credit card or GCash
• Banco de Oro
  • BDO branches
  • Online Banking or ATM (Account holders only)
• UnionBank
  • Branches
  • Online Banking or ATM (Account holders only)
• Bayad Center
• PayMaya App (Biller: PSA Serbilis)

After payment, wait for delivery

• Metro-Manila: 4-6 working days
• Other cities: 6-8 working days
• Other countries: use FedEx via PSA Serbilis Special Courier Service

Barangay Certificate

This proves you live in a part of town. Go to your Barangay to get the certificate. The fee depends on the place.

Community Tax Certificate

Pay the community tax. Then get your CTC or Cedula. It’s at the Treasurer’s Office. There’s a payment, of course.

Parent’s Consent

Parents must appear with valid IDs if aged 18-21 years old. If not possible, ask permission from the surviving parent or a legal guardian. If both can’t come, get an Affidavit of Consent signed with two witnesses.

Why is this important? Because parents can give good advice. They can protect their child from forced marriages.

Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (for Foreigners)

Foreigners need to get a certificate that proves they can get married.

Divorce Decree 

If divorced, bring a decree. It should prove the court ruling that ended the previous marriage.

Death Certificate of the deceased spouse

If widowed, bring the certificate. If the partner died abroad, get the document before coming to the Philippines.

Naturalization Paper

If the foreigner is naturalized, present their Naturalization Papers. It proves they are citizens of that country.

Civil Wedding Ceremony

To be married in a Civil Wedding, you need:

• Marriage License
• Solemnizing Officer
• Civil Marriage Ceremony

Getting Your Marriage License

Gather the documents. Then go to the Civil Registrar. Pay the fee. It will be released after 10 days.

The license will be released after 10 days. This is the time when your marriage is posted to see if anyone disagrees. You must get married within 120 days after getting your license.

Solemnizing Officer

As stated by the Family Code, the following can be the officer:

• Incumbent judge
• Authorized priest, rabbi, imam, or minister
• Ship captain or airplane chief (emergency only)
• Military commander (during operations)
• Consul-general, consul, or vice-consul (abroad only)

Marriage Ceremony

1. In a Philippine court, an office, a church, a chapel, or a temple.
2. Bring at least 2 witnesses of legal age. The officers and the couple, too, of course.
3. Formal Marriage Ceremony
4. The signing of the Marriage Contract.

Final Thoughts

It’s a lot of documents. But it’s fine if you are both Filipino citizens.

Marriage is more than being a boyfriend or girlfriend. It comes with challenges but also great joy. You can start a family with kids or pets. Marriage is not easy to exit, so think carefully.

Preparing for marriage can be a lot. But with good planning, everything will go smoothly. And then, it’s congratulations! You are now husband and wife!

It’s sharing everything with the love of your life forever. I hope you find your true love. Marry the one who completes you, and enjoy a lifetime together!

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