The Advisory on Marriages (AOM) is a vital document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). While often confused with the Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), it serves a distinct purpose, especially for individuals who have previous marriage records or are navigating the legalities of remarriage after annulment or divorce.

Understanding the difference between these two documents is the first step in ensuring your legal status is accurately reflected in the national archives.

1. CENOMAR vs. Advisory on Marriages: The Distinction

The primary difference lies in the result of the search in the PSA’s National Indices of Marriages.

CENOMAR: Issued when the PSA database shows no record of marriage for the person requested. It is a "clean bill of health" regarding marital status.
Advisory on Marriages: Issued when a search reveals that the person has one or more marriage records on file. It lists all the marriages involving that individual as recorded in the PSA database.

Note: You do not technically "choose" to order an AOM. You request a CENOMAR, and if the system finds a marriage, the PSA automatically issues an Advisory on Marriages instead.

2. When Do You Need an Advisory on Marriages?

While a CENOMAR is usually required for a first-time marriage, an AOM is typically required for:

Remarriage after Annulment/Nullity: To prove that the previous marriage has been legally dissolved and that the court decree has been duly registered with the PSA.
Registration of Foreign Divorce: For Filipinos whose foreign spouse obtained a divorce abroad, once the Philippine court recognizes that divorce, the AOM will reflect the updated status.
Visa Applications: Some embassies require an AOM to verify the marital history of an applicant, especially if they have been previously married.
Correction of Entries: To check if a previous "erroneous" marriage record still exists in the system.

3. The Process: How to Request the Document

Since the PSA uses the same application stream for both CENOMAR and AOM, the procedure is identical.

A. Online via PSA Serbilis or PSA Helpline

This is the most convenient method for those who prefer delivery.

Visit the official website (https://www.google.com/search?q=psaserbilis.com.ph or psahelpline.ph).
Select "CENOMAR" as the document type.
Fill in the required details: Name, Birthdate, Place of Birth, Father’s Name, and Mother’s Maiden Name.
Pay the processing fee (usually higher than a standard Birth Certificate due to the intensive database search).
Wait for delivery. If you have a marriage on record, you will receive an AOM; if not, you receive a CENOMAR.

B. In-Person via PSA Civil Registry System (CRS) Outlets

Book an Appointment: Most PSA outlets require an online appointment via the PSA Appointment System.
Fill out the Application Form: Use the Green Form (specifically for CENOMAR/AOM).
Queue and Pay: Present your valid ID and pay the fee at the cashier.
Claiming: In-person requests are often processed within the same day or a few working days, depending on the outlet's volume.

4. What Information is in an AOM?

An Advisory on Marriages is a detailed document. It contains:

The personal details of the requester.
A list of all marriages found in the PSA database.
The date of marriage, place of marriage, and the name of the spouse(s).
Crucial Annotations: If a marriage was annulled or declared void, the AOM should ideally contain an "annotation" stating that the marriage is no longer valid per a specific court order.

5. Important Legal Reminders

The "Wait" for Annotation

If you have just finished an annulment case, obtaining an AOM immediately might still show your marriage as "active." You must ensure that the Certificate of Finality and the Court Decree have been registered with the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) where the marriage happened and subsequently forwarded to the PSA for "annotation." Only then will the AOM reflect that you are legally "single" or "eligible to remarry."

Validity Period

Most government agencies and embassies consider a CENOMAR or AOM valid for only six (6) months from the date of issuance, as marital status can change quickly.

Authorization

If you are requesting an AOM for someone else, you must provide a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or a signed authorization letter along with a valid ID of the document owner.

Would you like me to draft an Authorization Letter or a Special Power of Attorney template that you can use for requesting this document through a representative?