HOW TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The Family Code of the Philippines states that "the marrying parties should get the license from the city or municipality where either one of them habitually resides. Once the license is issued to you, you can marry anywhere in the Philippines within 120 days."

The Family Code is clear on this. The marrying party should get their marriage licence from the city they reside or either one of them habitually resides. I will give you and example from my experience. We got our marriage licence in Bacoor City. Although my permanent address is in Samar and my wife's birth address is in Zamabonga Sibugay. Why did Bacoor City hall give us a license? Simply because we just got our new house and address in the said city. But with that, one of us must present a proof that we are really staying in Bacoor by showing a valid ID with address. Since we are new in Bacoor and we do not have any ID showing our address then they advised as to get a police certificate using our current address in Bacoor.

Next question. Did they give us Marriage license automatically?

Answer is NO. After we submitted our papers just like the PSA Birth certificates, photo copy of ID's and filling out the forms, they told us to attend a half day seminar to be given by Population Commission of the Philippines. So we went to POPCOM Office for the schedule. Luckily we were given one week heads up before the scheduled seminar. That was very important for us because we need to file leave of absence from our work because seminar are conducted during weekdays-no weekend since it is a government office.

Fast forward, during the POPCOM seminar they discussed to us tips on Family Planning and family relationship. It a was a good experience because somehow they gave us practical suggestions on how to start a family in summary. After we got the certificate of completion from POPCOM we went again to Civil Registrar's office. I was thinking that they will give us date on when to get the license but the good thing was, they gave the marriage license to us the same day after the seminar.

To sum up. These are the things to bring for filling of Marriage License

1. Personal appearance of the applying parties.

2. Latest certified true copy of you and your partner’s PSA birth certificates (original and photocopy).

3. Notarized affidavit of parental consent or advice for applicants below 25 years old. ( Forms are available and the local civil registrar's office.

4.Latest Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) or Certificate of Singleness (original and photocopy).

5. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marriage counseling ( to be scheduled after submission of other papers)

6. Valid ID (original and photocopy)

7. 2 pieces recent ID picture with white background (2 x 2 or 1 x 1, depending on your local civil registrar)

8. Community tax certificates or CEDULA.

If you have some questions do not hesitate to contact me via email or thru my mobile numbers listed below.

Shalom;

Ron