Wedding Requirements in the Philippines: Ensuring a Memorable Ceremony

Getting Married in The Philippines

There are several requirements for a legal marriage ceremony in The Philippines.

1. For foreigners to marry in The Philippines, you have to provide your passport and a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage issued by diplomatic or consular representatives of their country (an affidavit in lieu of a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage may also be accepted).
2. Apply for a marriage license – which can be made at the office of the local Philippine Civil Registrar of the town or city.
3. If this is your first marriage, the local civil registrar will ask to see your original birth certificates or your baptismal certificates. Certified copies may be accepted. You need to provide the full name, residence and citizenship of your parents or guardians. There is also a need to present a divorce decree if the foreigner has been previously married and a death certificate if a widow or widower.

Foreigners marrying a citizen of The Philippines

For the Filipino applicant, these documents are required for the marriage license application

1. Original copies of Birth Certificates or Baptismal Certificate.
2. If a widow/widower, original copy of Death Certificate.
3. Family Planning and Marriage Counselling Certificate.
4. Both applicants’ ID Photographs
5. If between 18 – 21 years old, you will require a copy of parental consent in writing.
6. If between 21 – 25, you will require a copy of parental advice (that they are aware of the marriage intention) in writing.

*10 days waiting period before the marriage license will be issued. Once issued, the wedding license will expired in 120 days.

Only an individual with legal authority can solemnize the marriage ceremony, after which, a marriage certificate have to be signed by both applicants. The marriage certificate must be sent to the city hall or the municipality in which the Philippine national habitually resides. It will then be registered by the local civil register. You can get certified true copies of the marriage contract from the local civil registrar or the National Statistics Office.