Getting married in the Philippines is more than having a wedding. To ensure the legality and security of your marriage, national or provincial paperwork is involved and some must be obtained ahead of the wedding. In this passage, we are going to introduce the Philippine marriage license, including what it is and how to apply for it.
What Is a Marriage License in the Philippines?
A marriage license in the Philippines is a legal permit that allows any couple to get married. It is a primary step for both parties to form a family legally. Without this license, the marriage will not be officially recognized. Please note that it is not the same thing as a marriage certificate and we will talk about the differences later.
Who Are Eligible to Get a Philippine Marriage License?
To be eligible for the marriage license means the two persons are legally allowed to marry and both parties must:
- Attain 18 years old;
- Not be in any other current marriage with someone else;
- Not be close relatives by blood or marriage, such as biological siblings, biological half-siblings, and cousins.
Required Documents for Marriage License Application
The authority will require a variety of documents to confirm the applicants’ qualifications for the document. Here are the marriage license requirements in the Philippines.
- A duly accomplished marriage license application form.
- Valid government-issued lDs of both parties, such as passport, LTO driver’s license, UMID, PhilHealth lD, etc.
- Certified True Copy of PSA birth certificate or baptismal certificate of both applicants.
- Original and photocopy of a Certificate of No Marriage (known as PSA CENOMAR).
- Community Tax Certificates of both parties.
- Certificate of participation in pre-marriage counseling.
- A recent 2×2 colored biometric photo of each of the couple.
- Parental consent (in the case of either applicant under 18).
- Parental Advice (in the case of either applicant aged 22-25).
- Proof of termination of previous marriage (if applicable), such as a copy of the deceased spouse’s PSA death certificate or divorce decree.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The marriage license can be applied for 7 to 90 days ahead of the wedding online or offline. Please submit the application in time in case it expires before the ceremony or it remains to be issued on the wedding day.
How to Apply for a Marriage License Online
Online services prevent people from crowding in the city or municipal hall and make it more convenient to apply. However, it is only available in some municipalities. Please contact the local civil registry offices to confirm whether they allow online marriage license applications. In this section, we will take Quezon City as an example.
- Visit the QC E-service and log in. New users should create an account through the Register “Here” hyperlink.
- Click on the “Civil Registry Online Services”.
- Navigate to the Marriage Service and choose “Marriage License Application”.
- Provide all necessary information. Make sure to distinguish the fields for the groom and the bride.
- Upload scanned copies of the supporting documents.
- Submit the original copy of the supporting documents to the City Civil Registry Department Office.
- Pay the application fees at the treasurer’s office.
- Wait for the result for 10 days. During this period, the authority will examine the applicants’ eligibility to get married and post it publicly to see if there is any objection.
- Claim the license provided that nobody raised objections during the publicity period.
How to Apply for a Marriage License In Person
In-person application is the most common way and it is available in all Barangays. To apply for a marriage license in the Philippines in person, please do as follows.
- Visit the local civil registry of residence.
Both the husband and the wife must present together with the required documents. If the two parties live in different places, just choose where either party lives.
- Fill out an Application Form
Obtain the form at the counter. It consists of two columns. The groom and the bride should complete different columns on the same form and sign. Please note that some fields are designed for applicants who have previously married and who need parental consent/advice. Just skip it if they do not apply to your real situation.
- Submit Required Documents
After finishing the form, submit it to the officer along with other supporting documents and pay the application fees. Some city governments require applicants to notarize the document before submitting it. Please do as per the officer’s instructions.
- Attend the PMC Seminar
Make an appointment for the pre-marriage counseling (PMC) seminar and attend it as scheduled. It is mandatory for all soon-to-be-married couples. The seminar talks about family planning, family responsibility, parenthood, etc. A PMC certificate will be awarded after the activity.
- Wait for the Result
It takes about 10 days to deal with a marriage license application. During this period, the authority will examine the applicants’ eligibility to get married and post it publicly to see if there is any objection. The waiting period will be extended to 3 months in the absence of parental consent or parental advice.
- Collect the License
After the application successfully passes the review and publicity period, the license will be issued and the couple must marry within the 120-day validity.
How to Get 2×2 Pictures for Marriage License Application?
A 2×2 inch biometric photo is needed for each applicant. As it will be attached to the marriage license, many people have been pursuing to make a perfect and qualified picture. Instead of taking a snapshot at a photo store or photo booth, taking a photo at home will be a more popular choice. AiPassportPhotos allows users to try as many times as they want and preview for free until the most satisfactory one. Only the final result will be charged. Here is how to use the online AI photo maker..
- Visit the AiPassportPhotos website.
- Review the general 2×2 photo requirements.
- Take a few pictures according to the guidelines on head position, facial expression, and attire.
- Click on the “Upload a photo” button and choose a target picture from the local file.
- Wait for a few seconds during which the tool will check photo compliance, resize, and replace the unsuitable background.
- Preview the edited photo and download it or try another shot.
How Much Is a Marriage License?
The exact fees might vary from municipal to municipal. In Quezon City, it costs PHP 250 to get the license, including PHP 50 for the marriage license application form, PHP 100 for application filling, and PHP 100 for producing the license. The fees can be paid in cash or by credit/debit card. There might be extra service fees if you request document notarization, expedited processing, etc.
How Long is the Validity of a Marriage License in the Philippines?
The marriage license validity lasts only 120 days upon issuance. The couple must marry within 120 days after receiving it. Otherwise, it will expire. To get married, the couple must start over the application again from the very beginning and get a new one.
What Can I Do with a Marriage License in the Philippines?
The marriage license allows the license holders to get married anywhere in the Philippines. You must bring it to the wedding ceremony. The priest or officiant will verify your eligibility to legally become husband and wife and form a family. Some provincial government requires new couples to submit the signed license as part of supporting documents to issue a marriage certificate.
Marriage License vs Marriage Certificate: What’s the Difference?
A marriage license proves that the two persons can get married and their marriage is recognized by the Philippines’ law. The church, judiciary, or officiant will allow you to marry in the presence of this certificate.
A marriage certificate is a proof of marital relationship bonding two persons legally, socially, economically, and emotionally. Here are the main differences between these two documents.
- What is it Used for
The marriage license is issued to prove that two individuals are legally “authorized” to marry while the marriage certificate indicates that two individuals did get married legally.
- When to Apply
The marriage license should be obtained before the wedding ceremony while the marriage certificate is issued after the wedding ceremony.
FAQ
📌How can I get a rush marriage license in the Philippines?
You are supposed to confirm your eligibility and prepare all necessary documents in case of any delays or objections during the publicity period.
📌Who is exempt from a marriage license in the Philippines?
The license is not required when a man and a woman have been living together as husband and wife for at least five years without any legal restrictions.
📌Who is not allowed to get a marriage license?
Every province has its independent requirements on age, marital status, mental capacity, relationship, and gender. Generally speaking, any married person, any heavily mentally/psychologically impaired person, or two immediate blood relatives are not allowed to get married.
📌Where to get a marriage license?
At the local civil registry of where the applicant lives.
Summary
After reading this passage, you must have found the answer to “What is a marriage license?” This legal document authorizes you and your partner to get married. The marriage license application can be filed online in some cities or in person at a local civil registry. It is suggested to apply for it as soon as possible once the date of the wedding is confirmed, so everything will move on smoothly.