Civil Weddings In The Philippines: Everlasting Or Expired?

Civil weddings in the Philippines are legally recognised and are often chosen by couples who want a simpler, less ceremonial, and more affordable alternative to a traditional wedding. While there is no expiration date on the marriage itself, the marriage license is valid for 120 days only. This means that the wedding must take place within 120 days of receiving the marriage license, or the license will expire and a new one will need to be applied for.

Marriage license validity

In the Philippines, a marriage license is valid for 120 days from the date of issue. If the license is not used by the expiration date, it is considered cancelled.

To obtain a marriage license, couples must submit copies of their PSA birth certificate and PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR). The CENOMAR itself does not have an expiration date, but city and municipal halls require that it is no more than six months old.

Once the marriage license has been issued, couples can get married anywhere in the Philippines within 120 days. It is important to note that the license is valid in any part of the country and not just in the city or municipality where it was issued.

Couples should also be aware that the entire process of obtaining a marriage license, including the required seminars, might take a whole day. Therefore, it is recommended to take a leave of absence from work and arrive early at the local civil registrar's office.

Required documents

To be legally married in a civil ceremony in the Philippines, couples must present a range of documents to their local civil registry office or city hall. Here is a list of the required documents:

• At least two valid IDs for each person
• PSA Birth Certificate
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
• Marriage License Application Form
• Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
• Barangay Certificate
• 1x1 picture

Some of these documents have associated costs, which vary depending on where and how they are obtained. For example, a PSA Birth Certificate costs Php140 if applied for in person, and Php365 per copy if ordered online. Similarly, a CENOMAR costs Php195 per copy for walk-in applications and Php430 for online applications.

In addition to the documents listed above, couples may also need to provide further requirements depending on their age, marital status, and nationality. For instance, couples aged 18-25 require notarized parental consent or advice, while widowed individuals must provide a death certificate. Foreign citizens are required to submit a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry, among other documents.

It is important to note that the marriage license is valid for 120 days only, and if not used within this period, it is considered canceled. Therefore, couples should ensure they have all the necessary documents and that their marriage license is still valid before scheduling their civil wedding ceremony.

Additional requirements for specific cases

If you or your partner are aged between 18 and 21, you will both need separate parental consent as part of your marriage requirements. If your partner is 26 and you are 21, only you will need consent from your parents. Both parents need to be present and have valid IDs. If your parents are not alive, you can obtain consent from a legal guardian. If this is not possible, you will need to have an Affidavit of Consent signed in front of two witnesses. If you are between 22 and 25, you will need to submit Parental Advice. Your parents can write that they know you are marrying, along with their advice about your marriage. They can also appear at the local registrar to prove that they consent to your upcoming wedding. If your parents do not approve of the marriage, you will need a sworn statement that states you informed them but they refused. If your parents agree, you will only have to wait 10 days before getting your Marriage License. If they do not consent, you may have to wait up to 3 months.

If you or your partner are widowed, you will need to retrieve the Death Certificate of your deceased spouse from any Serbilis Service Center. This can be included in your application for other civil wedding requirements.

If you or your partner are annulled, you will need to get a Certificate of Registration from the Local Civil Registrar to register for your Annulment Papers. The Court will issue a Certificate of Finality of Annulment. The certificate should include the name of the judge or court that issued the decree, as well as the case number and the date it was issued.

If you or your partner are a foreigner, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry/Sworn Declaration from your country's Consular Office or Embassy in the Philippines. It also needs to be authenticated by the DFA. You will also need to provide a clear photocopy of the immigration stamp in your passport, showing the arrival date in the Philippines. If you are divorced, you will need to source a divorce decree from your respective embassy or consular office, which will then be processed and screened by the DFA for authenticity. Filipinos who have been divorced abroad will need to file a Petition for Recognition of Foreign Divorce at a regional trial court, which will require the services of a lawyer.

The role of the officiant

In the Philippines, there are several individuals who are authorised to officiate civil weddings, including:

• The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
• The Presiding Justice and the Justices of the Court of Appeals
• Judges of the Courts of First Instance
• Mayors of cities and municipalities
• Municipal judges and justices of the peace
• Priests, rabbis, ministers of the gospel of any denomination, church, religion, or sect who are duly registered
• Ship captains, airplane chiefs, military commanders, and consuls and vice-consuls in special cases (marriages on the verge of death and marriages between Filipino citizens abroad)

Most commonly, municipal or city judges, or mayors, will preside over civil weddings. The local civil registrar will typically assign an officiant based on the requested wedding date and the availability of the officiant. However, couples can also choose to find their own registered minister, pastor, or other solemnizing officer to officiate the wedding.

The officiant is responsible for ensuring that all the legal requirements for the marriage are met, including the capacity of the couple to marry, their consent, and the authority of the person performing the marriage. The officiant will also need to ensure that the couple has a valid marriage license, which is valid for 120 days from the date of issue, and that there are two witnesses present at the ceremony to sign the marriage certificate.

In addition to their legal duties, the officiant may also provide guidance and support to the couple, including providing a template or inspiration for their wedding vows. The officiant may also be involved in choosing the venue for the ceremony, as civil weddings must be held in a public place, such as the presiding judge's chambers or the mayor's office. If the couple requests a different venue, the officiant may charge a higher fee.

Witnesses

At least two witnesses of legal age (18 years old and above) are required for any wedding in the Philippines. It is important to inform your witnesses ahead of time so they can free up their schedules and be prepared. It is also a good idea to have backup witnesses in case your initial choices become unavailable on the day of the wedding.

The witnesses will be required to sign your marriage certificate, so it is essential to choose individuals who are close to you and your partner and who you can rely on to be present on your wedding day.

In addition to the witnesses, you will also need to bring at least two pairs of ninong/ninang.

Frequently asked questions