Application For Marriage License

Marriage License – is a requirement for either a Civil or Church wedding to be held in the Philippines.

There is a prescribed 10 - days waiting period from the filing of applications to the release of the marriage license, which is valid anywhere in the country for 120 days after the issuance of the license.

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.

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). Which can now be applied for online through the NSO web site: http://www.census.gov.ph/

Parents' Consent (for 18 - 21 years old) or Parents' 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.

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.

Also needed to secure the marriage license are an NSO - Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), a residence certificate, and passport - sized picture.

To guide you further, you may refer to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on marrige provided by the Philippine Government: http://www.gov.ph