Application for a Philippine Marriage License

Marriage License: a requirement for either a Civil or Church wedding to be held in the Philippines. The Application Form for a marriage license must be secured at the Local Civil Registrar from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or the groom habitually resides. The personal appearance of those getting married is required in applying for a marriage license.

Each of the contracting parties shall file separately a sworn application for each license with the proper local civil registrar. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.

At the time the contracting parties appear to file their application for a Marriage License to the local civil registrar, he or she must also submit the following supporting documents:

1. Birth Certificate – Certified True Copy required of each the contracting parties with the respective registry number. This document is issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

NOTE: NSO now provides various channels for procuring copies of birth and marriage certificates. There is the NSO Birth Certificate Delivery Helpline (02) 737.111, an NSO certificate nationwide door-to-door delivery service. It is available 24 hours, 7 days a week even on Sundays and Holidays. An online service is also available at www.birthcertificates.com.ph and at e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country an alternative means in applying for copies of their civil registry documents. You can also reach them at e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph or at info@teleserv.ph.

2. Parents’ Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent’s Advice (for 21-25 years old): Under Philippine law, the legal age for marriage is 18. If the contracting parties are between the ages of 18 and 21, they must present written consent to the marriage from their father, mother or legal guardian. While any contracting party between the age of 22 and 25 must present written parental advice, i.e., a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple’s intent to marry. Read Parental Consent vs. Parental Advice for a detailed discussion on the difference between the two terms.

3. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.

FOR FOREIGNERS: Philippine law requires a citizen or subject of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. It is issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, prior to the issuance of a marriage license in the Philippines. This serves as a clearance or permit from the consul as an actual proof of the subject’s civil status and his/her eligibility for marriage.