In the Philippine legal system, obtaining a Finality of Judgment in an annulment or declaration of nullity of marriage is not the final step. To legally reflect your change in status—allowing you to revert to your maiden name or contract a subsequent marriage—the judicial decree must be formally registered with the appropriate Local Civil Registrar (LCR).
Failure to complete this administrative phase means that, in the eyes of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), you remain married.
The Legal Basis for Registration
Under Rule 9, Section 1 of the Rules of Court and the Local Civil Registry Law (Act No. 3753), all judicial decrees affecting the civil status of persons must be registered in the civil register of the place where the court is located and where the marriage was originally celebrated.
Essential Documentary Requirements
The LCR requires specific, authenticated documents to process the registration. While some local offices may request additional supporting papers, the following are the standard requirements:
- Original/Certified True Copy of the Court Decision: The full text of the ruling granted by the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
- Original/Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Finality: Issued by the Clerk of Court, this document proves that the period for appeal has lapsed and the decision is now executory.
- Entry of Judgment: The official recording of the decision in the court’s docket.
- Certificate of Registration: A document issued by the LCR of the city or municipality where the RTC is located (if different from the place of marriage).
- Marriage Contract (PSA Copy): To identify the original record that will be annotated.
- Valid Government ID: Of the party filing or their authorized representative.
The Two-Step Registration Process
The registration follows a specific sequence, especially if the court that granted the annulment is in a different city from where the marriage was celebrated.
1. Registration at the Place of the Court (LCR of the RTC)
The decree must first be registered with the LCR of the city or municipality where the Regional Trial Court is situated. This office will issue a Certificate of Registration of the Decree.
2. Registration at the Place of Marriage
If the marriage took place in a different city, you must bring the documents (including the Certificate of Registration from the first LCR) to the LCR where the marriage was originally recorded. This office will perform the Annotation on your Marriage Contract.
3. Transmission to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Once the LCR has annotated the record, they will forward the documents to the PSA (formerly NSO). You must then request a PSA-authenticated Marriage Contract with Annotation to serve as the final proof of your single status for passports, banks, and other legal transactions.
Schedule of Fees
Fees are subject to the local tax ordinances of each municipality or city, meaning costs vary across the Philippines. However, the general breakdown of expenses includes:
| Fee Type | Estimated Range (PHP) |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₱1,000 – ₱5,000 |
| Certified True Copy Fees | ₱100 – ₱300 per page |
| Annotation Fee | ₱500 – ₱2,000 |
| Filing/Processing Fee | ₱200 – ₱500 |
| PSA Authentication | ₱155 – ₱500 (standard vs. courier) |
Note: Some "Premier" cities (e.g., Quezon City, Makati, Manila) may have higher local regulatory fees compared to provincial municipalities.
Important Timeline Considerations
- Prescription Period: Under Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1993, the decree must be registered within thirty (30) days from the issuance of the Certificate of Finality.
- Late Registration: If you fail to register within 30 days, the LCR will still accept the application but will charge a Late Registration Penalty/Fine, usually ranging from ₱200 to ₱1,000.
- PSA Processing Time: After the LCR processes the registration, it typically takes 2 to 6 months for the annotated record to be available in the PSA’s national database. This can be accelerated via "Manual Submission" or "Advance Transmission" options provided by some LCRs for an extra fee.
Use of a Representative
If you are currently abroad or unable to visit the LCR personally, you may authorize a representative through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA). If the SPA is executed abroad, it must be Apostilled in the country of residence to be recognized by Philippine civil registrars.