Groom, bride – wouldn’t you agree? Saying “I Do” and promising forever is one of the most exciting milestones in a couple’s love story. If you’re a foreigner marrying a Filipina, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through all the important requirements to get married in the Philippines, so you can plan a smooth, stress-free, and joy-filled wedding ceremony.
Isn’t this the first step? While some couples dream of honeymoons in visa-free destinations or book expensive hotels, the wedding is step one in the process. If you plan to apply for an immigrant visa later, this is where your journey begins.
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If your lover was married before or had an annulment, you need proof that the previous marriage has legally ended. Keep a photocopy of the divorce decree or annulment decision in your document organizer. And make sure to arrange your travel insurance to avoid problems during the trip.
You don’t want a movie-style“itigil ang kasal!” moment, right? Follow these steps for your happy ever after!
STEP 1: Get a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (Foreign National)
This paper proves that your partner is single and allowed to marry. It also confirms that no one is against your marriage.
They must get it from their consulate or the Philippine embassy. Some embassies can issue this in a day. Others, like Switzerland, may take 4–6 months.
Set an appointment early. Make sure all documents are complete. Filipino partners are not allowed to get this on behalf of the foreigner.
Common Requirements
- Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) – Ask your embassy or get it from your home country’s civil office
- Original valid passport or Birth Certificate
- Divorce Decree absolute or death certificate of a deceased spouse – Only if your partner was previously married
- Processing Fee
- Other embassy-specific documents
Specific Requirements from the Embassy
Each country has its own rules. Below are some examples:
- The Chinese Embassy provides an affidavit instead of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. Here are the requirements and how to apply.
- German citizens can check these instructions.
- Swiss citizens can request a legal capacity to marry.
- US citizens must submit an affidavit in place of the Certificate. Book an appointment here first.
For others, check your Embassy. Ask what you need to submit to get a certificate. They are usually valid for 6 months.
STEP 2: Getting a Marriage License
Apply for a marriage license at the local civil registry office in the Filipino partner’s town or city.
Main Requirements for Both Partners
- Marriage License Application Form – get this from the civil registrar’s office
- PSA Birth Certificate – Foreigners can use a birth certificate from their own country
- PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) – A Certificate of No Marriage from the Philippine Statistics Authority, also needed for the foreign partner
- Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling – attend the seminar together
- Valid IDs
- Personal Appearance
- Community Tax Certificate or CEDULA
- Photos
- Barangay Certificate
- Parental Consent or Advice – Required if the Filipino partner is under 25
- Ages 18–21: Affidavit of Parental Advice or consent is needed with witnesses
- Ages 22–25: Parents must give advice or submit a sworn statement
After submitting your documents, pay the license fee. Wait 10 days before getting it. This waiting time is for public posting. This is to see if anyone is against the marriage.
The marriage license is valid for 120 days. You can use it anywhere in the Philippines.
STEP 3: Prepare for a Marriage Ceremony
You can choose a civil wedding or a religious wedding.
Civil weddings are quicker and easier. You’ll need a license and a solemnizing officer.
For Church weddings, you may be asked to submit additional requirements.
Who can officiate a marriage (according to the Family Code):
- A judge in the local court
- Any priest, pastor, or religious leader is officially allowed by their religion. They should also be registered with the government. (At least one of the couple must belong to their religion, of course.)
- A ship captain or airplane pilot, only in emergencies
- A military officer, only during missions if no chaplain is present
- A consul or vice consul, only if the marriage happens abroad
In the Philippines, common officiants are judges, mayors, pastors, and priests.
STEP 4: Get Married
Pick your venue. This can be a Mayor’s Office, church, temple, or open court. Say your vows in front of the officer and two legal-age witnesses.
Want to save money? Use a tripod or camera stand to record your wedding moments.
If you plan to submit a petition for visa or residency later, make sure you keep all documents and certificates safe.
STEP 5: Get your Marriage Contract or Certificate
After the wedding, your marriage documents will be sent to the civil registrar. After that, you’ll get your Marriage Certificate.
You can also register the marriage at your partner’s Embassy or Consulate. PSA copies are available online, and for immigration purposes, you may need documents authenticated by DFA.
Don’t forget to have wet wipes. You’ll need them after all the happy tears!
I hope you find this helpful! If you want to get married here, you’ll need more than 2 weeks. Just prepare your documents.
A day or two is important at the Embassy. Another 1 or 2 days for applying for a Marriage License and attending a Seminar. Then 10 days of waiting for your Marriage License. Finally, another day for the Marriage Ceremony.
Congratulations and best wishes on your new life together!
FAQ
You need to wait 10 business days after applying before you can get a marriage license. This doesn’t include weekends or holidays. The license is valid for 120 days and can be used anywhere in the Philippines.
You can apply for a K-1 visa (for fiancées) or K-3 visa (for spouses). The usual cost is $1,440. For children under 14, it may cost $950 or $750 depending on the case.
The K-1 visa allows faster entry into the U.S. But the CR-1 marriage visa helps speed up getting a green card.
As of 2024:
– K-1 visa takes about 4 to 7 months
– CR-1 spouse visa takes around 14.3 months
About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.