Getting married is a significant milestone in one’s life, but it is important to be aware of the necessary requirements before saying those sweetest “I do’s.” Although it may involve some paperwork and long preparations, lovebirds should not be discouraged.
To ensure a smooth journey towards marital bliss, here are the essential details soon-to-weds should know and be prepared for.
PSA Birth Certificate
First and foremost, couples need to have a certified birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to begin the marriage license application process. This step guarantees the accuracy of the information provided on the application form. Couples can obtain a certified true copy of their birth certificate from the local civil registrar’s office located at the city hall or municipal hall.
CENOMAR
Another important document that couples must include in their list is the Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR. This document is necessary for marriage registration as it confirms that an individual has not entered into any previous marriages and is eligible to marry.
CEDULA
A cedula or community tax certificate is another essential document the lovebirds should have. It is a government-issued identification document that verifies an individual’s residence and payment of taxes.
Once couples have obtained these three requirements, they can proceed to apply for a marriage license.
Marriage License
A marriage license is a legal document verifying that a couple is eligible to marry. It is an important requirement for a couple’s dream civil or church wedding.
In addition to the true copy and photocopy of the three documents mentioned, lovebirds should prepare a 1×1 ID photo for the application form.
How to get a marriage license?
To obtain a marriage license, couples need to visit the local civil registrar or LCR office in the city where they reside. They must complete four application forms for the marriage license, ensuring that they provide accurate information. Once the forms are filled out, they need to submit them along with the mentioned documents and make the payment for the marriage license fee.
Afterwards, couples are required to participate in mandatory pre-marriage counseling and family planning seminars, which can be conveniently scheduled on the same day as the marriage license application at the city or municipal hall. They need to obtain a Certificate of Attendance and submit it to the LCR office. After more than a week, they should revisit the LCR office to collect their marriage license. They will receive two copies of the license, one for personal records and another to be provided to the solemnizing officer.
It is important for couples to note that the marriage license has a validity period of 90 to 120 days. This means that they must get married before the license expires.
Church wedding
For a church wedding, couples should also have a Confirmation Certificate or Kumpil and submit it to the church two to three months before the big day. They should also prepare the birth certificate, marriage license, valid ID’s and CENOMAR. Additionally, couples may be required to attend seminars arranged by the church and may need to participate in a “confession” prior to the wedding ceremony.
Additional details:
Here are the requirements for couples applying for a marriage license based on their age group:
Couples between the ages of 18-21 years old:
- Both parents of the couple should be physically present when applying for the license.
- They need to bring the following documents: Barangay Certificate of Residency, PSA birth certificate, CENOMAR, and government-issued ID.
Lovebirds between the ages of 22-25 years old:
- Both parents of the couple should be present during the application.
- They need to prepare the following documents: Barangay Certificate, PSA birth certificate, CENOMAR, and government-issued ID.
- They are also required to present both valid IDs of their parents, provide parental advice, and attend Family Planning and Counseling before the license is released.
Please keep in mind that there are fees for each step, so it’s advisable to bring extra money.
Featured photo courtesy of Mico Studios.
