Solemnization Of Marriage Requirements For Philippines

Legal Prerequisites

1. Filipino Citizenship: Both parties entering the marital contract must be Filipino citizens. It’s crucial to adhere to this prerequisite to ensure the legality of the marriage.

2. Land Registry Registration: All contracts between Filipino citizens, including marriage contracts, must be registered in the Land Registry. Failure to register renders the contract invalid.

Basic Requirements

• Age Requirement: Both individuals must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of marriage.
• Marriage License Application: Obtain and fill out the marriage license application form, available on the Consulate’s website. Both parties must sign the form in the presence of Consular Officers.
• PSA Documents: Provide PSA birth certificates of both parties, duly apostilled by the DFA. Additionally, include apostilled copies of PSA-issued CENOMAR, valid for six (6) months from the date of issue.
• Passport-sized Photos: Each party should provide two (2) passport-sized photos with a white background.
• Government-issued Identification: Present a valid passport or identification card issued by the Philippine government.
• Payment of Fees: Fulfill the applicable fees associated with the marriage license application process.

Additional Requirements

• Certificate of Death: If either party is a widow or widower, provide a PSA-issued Certificate of Death.
• Marriage Certificate with Annotations: In cases of previous marriages, provide relevant documents such as the death certificate of the deceased spouse, judicial decree of divorce, annulment, or declaration of nullity.
• Parental Consent/Affidavit: For individuals aged 18 to 25, obtain either the Consent Affidavit or Parental Advice Affidavit, depending on the age bracket, duly notarized and authenticated.
• Naturalization Documents: If applicable, provide documents related to naturalization as a Filipino citizen.

Marriage License Application Procedure

• Couples must apply for a Marriage License following the Philippine Family Code.
• Original documents are required for the application process, which will be returned upon examination by consular staff.
• A notice of impending marriage must be publicly posted for ten consecutive days as per Executive Order No. 209.

Specific Scenarios and Requirements

• For Unmarried Filipinos: Provide necessary documents such as PSA-apostilled birth certificate, Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), and valid identification.
• For Individuals Aged 18 to 25: Additional parental consent or advice affidavits are required.
• For Divorced Filipinos: Obtain a Philippine court-issued marriage license, along with documents validating the divorce recognized by a Philippine court.
• For Annulled Marriages: Provide documents related to the annulment, including PSA-issued advisories and authenticated Judicial Decree of Annulment.
• For Widows/Widowers: Submit relevant documents such as the deceased spouse’s death certificate, apostilled PSA-issued Marital Advisory, and authentication of documents related to the deceased spouse.

Marriage Solemnization Process

• The Embassy facilitates the solemnization of marriages according to the Philippine Family Code.
• Civil marriages must adhere to legal formalities, including personal appearance before the solemnizing officer and declaration of marital intent.
• After the ceremony, a Marriage Certificate is issued by the Embassy, validating the union.

Conclusion

In essence, the solemnization of marriage in the Philippines entails a thorough adherence to legal requirements and procedures, ensuring the sanctity and legality of the marital union. By following these guidelines meticulously, Filipino citizens can embark on their marital journey with confidence and legal assurance.