How to Get a Marriage License in the Philippines the Easy Way?

Given the standardization and consistency that pretty much goes around in the Philippines (sarcasm intended), each municipality has its own set of requirements when you apply for a marriage license. Even if you spend days over the internet searching how this could be accomplished, your eyes would just hurt and you won't end up with a clear solution to your query. The only way to actually find what are the needed documents for a marriage license application in the Philippines is to go directly to your local civil registrar, or if you are lucky to be living in Quezon City, congratulations! Your city is the only city in the Philippines which offers a downloadable marriage application form in the internet!

There are only two standard things about marriage license in the Philippines:

1. It has a 120-day validity period and can be used anywhere in the Philippines.

If you're going to ask me what will happen if it remains unused by then, I have the vaguest idea. Maybe you'll have to re-apply and start from scratch, as I don't think it's renewable.

2. A 10-day waiting period should be implemented after your application before the marriage license will be released.

The 10-day waiting period is the span of time required to announce and post about your wedding, should there be other parties to contest about it.

Now I'm gonna list the policies cum myths for marriage license application in the Philippines (and how you could easily break the rules without hurting anyone, for your convenience):

1. It should be obtained from the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where the bride or groom resides. (but you could just change your address and get a marriage license at wherever you find convenient and they wouldn't really care)

2. Both the bride and the groom should be present when applying for a marriage license.

What if one party is out of the country? What if your fiancee is an OFW? Does he or she have to book a flight immediately and go back to the Philippines just to accompany you in getting that form? And to think the local civil registrar is open only on weekdays. Does your partner who is not in the Philippines have to take a precious day-off from work just to comply, and so with you? Come on, being physically present just to get that piece of paper is a big waste of time! The strictness of this policy is a big myth, and unfortunately, there are these people from the internet telling it is a must to do it but I tell you based from experience, IT'S NOT. You could even ask a family member to get the form for you. Think about it: Why does Quezon City have a downloadable form if they need to see you upon applying?

3. Attend the pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar from the Division of Maternal and Child Health in the city or municipality where you filed your application, and secure your certificate.

This is also conducted on weekdays, and various municipalities implement their own schedules for such. It would be a good news if you could go straight to both seminars on the same day you filed your application but most of the time, these will have to be scheduled and the worst case is when you have to return on two separate days to attend these. So if you decide to be an obedient child, you'd be wasting three precious leaves from work just to accomplish this. Again, what if your fiancee is working abroad and has to budget his leaves wisely? Well, don't worry. Let's just say that everything could be "bought".

What are the requirements in applying for marriage license in the Philippines?

Various municipalities and cities also require other documents which may be a combination of birth certificate, barangay certificate, cedula, or CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage from National Statistics Office, read about it here). As I have said, different rules for different cities and municipalities so ask your local civil registrar about it.

Special cases:

1. If you are within the 18-21 year old bracket, you need to present a parent's consent. It is a written consent signed by any of your parents, or your guardian.

2. If you are within the 21-25 year old bracket, you need to present a parent's advice. While to me it sounds the same as a parent's consent, the purpose of parent's advice is to let the local civil registrar know that the parents are aware of their children's intention to marry. (err, again, what's the difference?)

3. If you are a foreigner, you have to secure a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from the diplomatic or consular offices of your country. You might also need to submit a photocopy of your passport.

4. If you are a widow or widower, present the death certificate of deceased husband/wife.

5. If you are divorced or annulled, present your divorce or annulment papers.

There are also cases in which a marriage license is not required to contract marriage (i.e. waived):

1. When at least one of the contracting parties is at the point of death. What if he/she miraculously survives? Congrats! Your marriage is still valid.

2. If the other party is not from planet earth, or at least it's what I understand from the phrase "in a location such that there is no means of transportation to enable the party to make a personal appearance in the local civil registrar".

3. If you are a Muslim or a member of an ethnic cultural community, as long as your solemnization follows your rites, practices, and customs.

4. If both parties have lived together as a husband and wife for five years without any legal impediment. An affidavit should be presented for such.

Take advantage of the unconventional ways to make your marriage license application easier. There's always a better way.