First Steps in the Civil Wedding Process in the Philippines
A practitioner‑oriented guide to getting legally married before a judge or mayor
1. Legal Framework & Key Principles
| Governing Provision | What It Covers | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Family Code of the Philippines (E.O. 209, 1987) | Substantive capacity to marry; grounds for void/voidable marriages | Every step must comply with the Code, otherwise the marriage is void or voidable. |
| RA 3753 (Civil Registry Law) & Local Government Code (RA 7160) | Duties of Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROs) and local officials | Dictates who issues the marriage license, publishes notice, and registers the marriage certificate. |
| Rules of Court / Judiciary Reorganization Acts | Authority of judges to solemnize | Determines which court may conduct the ceremony. |
| Special Laws & Circulars (e.g., PSA circulars on CENOMAR; LGU ordinances on fees) | Implementing details (seminars, fee waivers, formats) | These often differ by city/municipality. |
2. Verify Personal Eligibility Before Anything Else
Age & Consent
- 18–25 years old: parental consent (18–20) or advice (21–25) must accompany the license application (Arts. 14–15).
- Below 18: absolutely barred.
Previous Marriages
- Present the PSA‑issued Certificate of Finality of annulment/nullity decree, judicial recognition of foreign divorce, or death certificate of deceased spouse.
No Impediments
- Collateral relations (siblings, ascendants/descendants within 4th civil degree) are absolutely prohibited.
Foreign Nationals
- Need a Certificate/Letter of Legal Capacity to Marry from their embassy (or a judicial declaration if the embassy does not issue one).
3. Gather Core Documentary Requirements
| Document | Where to Get It | Validity/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PSA‑authenticated Birth Certificates (both parties) | PSA Serbilis outlet / online | No expiry but LCRO prefers recently issued copies (≤1 year). |
| CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) | PSA | Generally considered valid for 6 months by LCROs. |
| Pre‑Marriage Orientation (PMO) & Pre‑Marriage Counseling (PMC) certificates | City/Municipal Health Office, POPCOM, DSWD, or Church‑accredited counselor | Some LGUs issue a single consolidated “Family Planning & Responsible Parenthood” certificate. |
| Barangay Certificates of Residency | Barangay Hall of at least one applicant | Shows residency for jurisdictional purposes. |
| Government‑issued IDs (2) | e.g., Passport, PhilSys, Driver’s License | Provide originals + photocopies. |
| 1×1 or 2×2 Photos | Studio/Photo booth | Number, size vary by LGU. |
Tip: Make at least three photocopies of every record; LCROs often keep two sets and you will need a spare for the officiant.
4. File the Application for a Marriage License
Where: LCRO of the city/municipality where either fiancé resides (Art. 9).
How:
- Personal appearance of BOTH parties.
- Submit the filled‑out Application Form (Form 90) with all documents.
- Pay statutory & ordinance‑based fees (₱100–₱2 000, depending on LGU; indigent couples may request a fee waiver).
Publication:
- LCRO posts the Notice of Application on a public bulletin board for ten (10) consecutive days.
- Anyone may file a written opposition within that period.
Waiting Period:
- The license is released on the 11th day—count calendar days, not working days.
Validity:
- 120 days nationwide (Art. 20). If unused when it expires, you must re‑apply.
5. Choose an Authorized Solemnizing Officer
| Category | Authority & Jurisdiction | Typical Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Judges (RTC, MeTC, MTCC, MTC, MCTC) | Within their territorial jurisdiction, even outside court hours (Art. 7[1]) | ₱0–₱3 000 (varies; some judges waive). |
| Mayors/Vice‑Mayors | Within their city/municipality (Art. 7[2]) | Often ₱500–₱2 000 (LGU ordinance). |
| Ship/Airplane Captains, Military Commanders | Only in articulo mortis (imminent death) situations (Art. 31). | Usually none. |
| Consuls/Consular Officials | For Filipino couples abroad (Art. 10). | Governed by DFA fee schedule. |
Note: Priests/ministers may solemnize religious weddings, but for a civil wedding you must use one of the above or a duly‑commissioned religious officiant who agrees to perform a civil rite.
6. Schedule & Conduct the Ceremony
Set a Date & Venue
- Any public office, courtroom, mayor’s hall, or any place agreed upon within jurisdiction (Art. 8).
Witness Requirement
- Minimum two witnesses of legal age (18+).
Ceremony Essentials
- Officiant verifies identities, reads the essential marital vows, obtains the parties’ express consent, and pronounces them married.
- Parties, witnesses, and officiant sign all three copies of the Certificate of Marriage (Form 97) on‑the‑spot.
7. Post‑Ceremony Registration
- Who files: The officiant must transmit the signed certificate to the LCRO of the place of solemnization within 15 days (Art. 23).
- LCRO duties: Registers the marriage and forwards a copy to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
- PSA security paper (SECPA): Available 2–3 months after registration; order online or at PSA outlets.
8. Special & Exceptional Scenarios
| Situation | Adjusted Requirement |
|---|---|
| Long‑cohabiting couple (≥5 years) | Under Art. 34, no marriage license required if both execute a joint sworn affidavit; otherwise all other steps apply. |
| Remote/Military Hostilities | Art. 27 allows commanders to solemnize without a license in articulo mortis; certificate filed when practicable. |
| Indigenous Peoples & Muslims | May follow personal laws (IPRA, Muslim Code) but must register marriages with the LCRO/NCIP/NCMF for PSA issuance. |
| Judicial Authorization for Minors (16–17) | Possible only for Muslim males under PD 1083; not allowed under the Family Code. |
9. Typical Timeline Snapshot
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| 0 | Gather documents; attend PMC seminar |
| 1 | File license application (publication starts) |
| 1‑10 | Waiting period / publication |
| 11 | Receive marriage license |
| 12‑120 | Set civil ceremony, sign certificate |
| ≤15 after ceremony | Officiant files certificate |
| 2‑3 months later | PSA‑issued Marriage Certificate available |
10. Practical Tips for a Smooth Process
- Book seminars early. Some LGUs fill slots weeks ahead.
- Name consistency (spelling, middle names, suffixes) across all IDs and certificates prevents LCRO rejection.
- Photocopy, then scan. Digital backups speed up PSA online requests later.
- Ask about fee waivers/discounts if either party is an indigent resident, PWD, or senior citizen.
- Plan for holidays. The 10‑day publication countdown continues on weekends/holidays, but release falls on the next business day if Day 11 is non‑working.
11. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Consequence | Preventive Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Filing in an LGU where neither party resides | License is void (jurisdictional defect) | File where at least one is a resident for the past 6 months. |
| Using an expired license | Marriage is void ab initio (Art. 35[3]) | Check 120‑day validity; schedule early. |
| Missing parental consent/advice for 18‑25 y/o | Registration denied or annotated | Bring parents in person or notarized consent/advice. |
| Incorrect or absent Legal Capacity certificate for a foreigner | PSA will annotate “Subject to verification” | Obtain embassy certification or judicial affirmation before filing. |
12. Final Remarks
The Philippine civil wedding procedure is intentionally rigorous to protect the sanctity and legality of marriage. While the LCRO is the primary gatekeeper, compliance also involves the courts, health & social‑services offices, and sometimes foreign embassies.
Because LGUs have discretion over fees, seminar formats, and document authentication requirements, always confirm with your local civil registrar before gathering documents. When in doubt, consult a lawyer; an erroneous start (e.g., the wrong venue or missing consent) can render the marriage void, necessitating costly annulment proceedings later.
Prepared July 30 2025, in Manila. Regulations cited are current as of this date but may be amended by future legislation or local ordinances.