A person cannot simply “register online” or declare himself authorized to officiate weddings in the Philippines. Under Philippine law, the authority of the solemnizing officer is one of the formal requisites of a valid marriage. For priests, pastors, ministers, rabbis, imams, tribal heads, and similar religious or customary officers, this usually means securing a Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage, commonly called a CRASM, from the Philippine Statistics Authority through the Office of the Civil Registrar General.

This article explains who may solemnize marriages, who needs to apply for a CRASM, the documents usually required, how the filing process works in practice, what foreign ministers should know, and the mistakes that can put both the solemnizing officer and the couple at risk.

What Is a Solemnizing Officer?

A solemnizing officer is the person legally authorized to officiate or solemnize a marriage ceremony. In ordinary terms, this is the person who stands before the couple, receives their personal declaration that they take each other as husband and wife, signs the marriage certificate, and ensures that the marriage is properly documented and transmitted to the local civil registrar.

Under Article 6 of the Family Code, no particular religious rite or ceremony is required for a valid marriage. What matters is that the parties personally appear before the solemnizing officer, declare that they take each other as husband and wife, and do so in the presence of at least two witnesses of legal age. The declaration must be contained in the marriage certificate signed by the parties, the witnesses, and the solemnizing officer. (Lawphil)

In practice, the solemnizing officer does more than conduct a ceremony. He or she must check the marriage license or legal exemption, verify that the ceremony is within the officer’s authority and territorial jurisdiction, sign the correct PSA/local civil registry forms, and submit the required copies after the wedding.

Why Authorization Matters in a Philippine Wedding

The authority of the solemnizing officer is not a minor technicality. Article 3 of the Family Code lists it as one of the formal requisites of marriage, together with a valid marriage license, unless the law allows a license-free marriage, and a marriage ceremony where the parties personally declare their consent before the solemnizing officer and two adult witnesses. Article 4 further provides that the absence of an essential or formal requisite generally makes the marriage void from the beginning, subject to the good-faith exception in Article 35(2). (Lawphil)

This is why couples are often advised to check whether their pastor, priest, imam, or other officiant has a current CRASM before paying reservation fees, printing invitations, or holding the ceremony. It is also why a minister should not officiate a wedding while waiting for approval, after expiration of authority, or outside the location stated in the CRASM.

Article 35(2) of the Family Code states that marriages solemnized by a person not legally authorized to perform marriages are void from the beginning, unless either or both parties believed in good faith that the solemnizing officer had legal authority. (Supreme Court E-Library) That good-faith rule may protect an innocent spouse in some situations, but it is not a license for the officiant to ignore the rules. The solemnizing officer may still face civil, criminal, or administrative consequences for irregularities.

Who May Solemnize Marriages in the Philippines?

Article 7 of the Family Code authorizes the following persons to solemnize marriages:

Authorized person	Scope of authority
Incumbent members of the judiciary	Within the court’s jurisdiction
Priest, rabbi, imam, or minister of a church or religious sect	Must be authorized by the church or sect, registered with the Civil Registrar General, acting within written authority, and at least one party must belong to that church or sect
Ship captain or airplane chief	Only for marriages in articulo mortis, meaning at the point of death, under Article 31
Military commander of a unit with a chaplain assigned, in the chaplain’s absence	Only during military operation and only for articulo mortis marriages under Article 32
Philippine consul-general, consul, or vice-consul	For marriages between Filipino citizens abroad under Article 10

The Family Code text is available through the Lawphil copy of Executive Order No. 209, the Family Code of the Philippines. (Lawphil)

City and municipal mayors are also authorized to solemnize marriages under the Local Government Code of 1991. Section 444 gives municipal mayors the power to solemnize marriages, while Section 455 gives the same power to city mayors. (Supreme Court E-Library)

For Muslim marriages, Presidential Decree No. 1083, or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws, recognizes solemnization by the proper wali of the woman to be married, by a person competent under Muslim law upon authority of the proper wali, or by the judge of the Shari’a District Court or Shari’a Circuit Court, or a person designated by the judge in certain cases. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

For indigenous peoples and ethnic cultural communities, PSA materials also recognize that marriages may be solemnized by community elders, tribal leaders, tribal authorities, or traditional socio-political structures certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, provided the marriage is performed according to the community’s customs, traditions, and practices.

Who Needs to Apply for a CRASM?

A CRASM is most relevant to religious and customary solemnizing officers, especially:

pastors;
priests;
rabbis;
imams;
bishops;
heads, founders, or presidents of religious organizations;
ministers of churches or religious sects;
tribal heads, chieftains, or other recognized indigenous community authorities.

The CRASM is the certificate issued after the solemnizing officer complies with the requirements for registration. It states that the officer is authorized to solemnize marriages within the period and territorial jurisdiction specified in the certificate.

Judges, mayors, and consular officers generally derive their authority from their public office and the law itself. They do not apply for a CRASM in the same way a private religious minister does. However, their authority is still limited by law, especially as to jurisdiction, office, and the type of marriage they may solemnize.

Legal Basis for CRASM Registration

The main legal and administrative bases are:

Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, 1987 Articles 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 23, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are especially relevant.
Republic Act No. 7160, Local Government Code of 1991 Sections 444 and 455 authorize municipal and city mayors to solemnize marriages. (Supreme Court E-Library)
Presidential Decree No. 1083, Code of Muslim Personal Laws This governs solemnization of Muslim marriages in appropriate cases. (Philippine Statistics Authority)
Republic Act No. 10625, Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 This law created the Philippine Statistics Authority and placed civil registration functions under the PSA system.
PSA/OCRG Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2021 PSA materials describe this as the prevailing CRASM rules effective after publication in the Official Gazette, together with Memorandum Circular No. 2022-10 for requirements and screening procedures. (Philippine Statistics Authority)
Republic Act No. 6514 PSA advisories refer to this law as the basis for the three-year validity period of the authorization issued to priests, ministers, and rabbis, expiring on December 31 of every third year. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before preparing documents, the applicant should first check whether he or she is the kind of person who can legally apply.

For most religious applicants, the key requirements are:

The applicant must be a priest, pastor, minister, rabbi, imam, bishop, head, founder, or similar officer of a church, mosque, temple, synagogue, or religious sect.
The applicant must have a genuine appointment or authority from the religious organization.
The religion or religious sect must be operating in the Philippines and must be in good repute.
The applicant must act only within the limits of the written authority granted by the church or religious sect.
At least one of the contracting parties in a marriage solemnized by the religious officer must belong to that officer’s church or religious sect.
The solemnization must be within the territorial jurisdiction stated in the CRASM.

PSA’s 2021 rules state that a religion or religious sect may be considered operating in the Philippines if it appears in the latest census records. If it does not, the applicant may need documents such as a current SEC Certificate of Registration, a General Information Sheet, or a mayor’s certification that the church, mosque, temple, synagogue, or other place of worship is operating in the locality.

Required Documents for CRASM Application

The exact checklist may vary slightly by PSA field office, so applicants should always use the latest PSA form and local instructions. Based on PSA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2021, the usual documents include the following:

Requirement	Practical notes
Accomplished OCRG-SO Form No. 1	Usually filed in triplicate; must be subscribed and sworn before a person authorized to administer oaths, with documentary stamp
Three 2x2 colored ID photos	White background; taken not more than one month before application; signature at the back
Copy of appointment	Shows appointment as priest, pastor, minister, bishop, head, founder, or similar religious officer
Endorsement, designation, or recommendation	Must come from the head of the religion or religious sect and state the applicant’s full name, nationality, address, place of regular religious service, and territorial jurisdiction
Proof of identity for first-time applicants	Certified true copy of Certificate of Live Birth, or photocopy of Philippine passport or PhilSys ID presented with the original
ACR I-Card for foreign applicants	Required if the applicant is a foreign citizen
Proof of payment	Registration fee paid according to PSA instructions

These requirements are stated in PSA’s Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2021.

Additional Requirements for Heads, Bishops, Presidents, or Founders

If the applicant is the head, bishop, president, or founder of the religion or religious sect, PSA rules require additional proof of authority. This may include:

an endorsement or recommendation from the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors, Church Council, or equivalent governing body, signed by the majority of its members through a board or council resolution; or
if there is no such board or council, a notarized sworn statement saying that no such body exists.

These added requirements help the PSA verify that the applicant is not merely self-appointed.

Additional Requirements for Imams

For imams, PSA rules require:

accomplished OCRG-SO Form No. 1 in triplicate;
three recent 2x2 colored ID photos;
proof of identity for first-time applicants;
ACR I-Card if the imam is a foreign citizen;
certification from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos that the applicant is authorized to solemnize marriage; and
proof of payment.

Additional Requirements for Tribal Heads or Chieftains

For tribal heads or chieftains, PSA rules require:

accomplished OCRG-SO Form No. 1 in triplicate;
three recent 2x2 colored ID photos;
proof of identity for first-time applicants;
certification from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples that the applicant is authorized to solemnize marriage; and
proof of payment.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Authorization as a Solemnizing Officer

1. Confirm That You Are Legally Qualified

Start by asking: “Am I the type of person Philippine law allows to solemnize marriage?”

For religious applicants, you should have a real appointment or designation from your church, mosque, temple, synagogue, or religious sect. A person who merely leads a small fellowship, online ministry, or informal group may run into problems if there is no recognized structure, place of worship, governing body, or proof that the organization is operating in the Philippines.

For imams and tribal leaders, the application also depends heavily on certification from the proper government body, such as the NCMF or NCIP.

2. Identify Your Territorial Jurisdiction

Your CRASM must state the area where you may solemnize marriages. PSA describes territorial jurisdiction as the defined area where a solemnizing officer can validly officiate a marriage, such as the whole Philippines, a region, a province, a congressional district, or a diocese.

In practice, this is one of the most common sources of delay. The endorsement from the religious organization should not be vague. Instead of saying “authorized to officiate weddings,” it should clearly state the authorized area, such as:

“within the Diocese of ___”;
“within the Province of ___”;
“within Region ___”;
“within the City of ___”; or
“within the Philippines,” if the religious organization genuinely grants nationwide authority.

A broad jurisdiction should be supported by the organization’s structure and actual assignment. PSA may question a nationwide jurisdiction if the applicant is clearly assigned to only one local church.

3. Secure the Proper Church, Mosque, or Religious Documents

The endorsement or recommendation should ideally contain:

full legal name of the applicant;
nationality;
complete residence address;
official position or title;
date of appointment or designation;
name and address of the church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or place of worship;
statement that the applicant regularly performs religious rites or services there;
extent of territorial jurisdiction;
name, position, and signature of the religious head or authorized governing body.

If the organization is not well-known or does not appear in census records, prepare SEC registration documents, the latest General Information Sheet, or a mayor’s certification confirming that the religious organization operates in the locality. PSA’s 2021 rules expressly recognize these documents as proof that a religion or religious sect is operating in the Philippines and in good repute.

4. Complete OCRG-SO Form No. 1

Use the current PSA form. PSA’s 2025 advisory states that the prevailing form is OCRG SO Form No. 1 Revised April 2022. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

The form typically requires sworn statements about the applicant’s appointment, religious authority, place of assignment, and territorial jurisdiction. The publicly available PSA form also asks the applicant to state the appointing officer, attach a recent 2x2 photo, and specify the exact territorial jurisdiction.

Because the form is sworn, do not guess or exaggerate. False or careless statements may cause denial, later cancellation, or possible legal exposure.

5. Have the Form Notarized or Properly Sworn

The application must be subscribed and sworn before a person authorized to administer oaths, with the required documentary stamp.

Common mistakes include:

unsigned copies;
incomplete jurat or oath portion;
no documentary stamp;
photocopied signatures where originals are required;
notarial details that are unreadable;
using a form signed outside the Philippines without proper authentication.

If a document is executed abroad, ask the PSA field office whether it must be consularized or apostilled. Since the Philippines is a party to the Apostille Convention, many foreign public documents are authenticated by apostille rather than traditional consular authentication, but the receiving office may still require specific handling depending on the document.

6. File at the Proper PSA Field Office

Applications are usually filed with the PSA field office or provincial statistical office where the minister’s church assignment is located. PSA-Benguet’s 2025 advisory, for example, states that renewal is filed and accepted at the PSA field office where the minister’s church assignment is located. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

This is important for pastors or ministers who travel. If your appointment is in Quezon City but you plan to officiate regularly in Cavite, Bulacan, or Cebu, clarify your proper place of filing and territorial authority before accepting wedding bookings.

7. Wait for Screening, Verification, and Issuance

After filing, the PSA reviews the application and supporting documents. In practice, screening may include checking:

whether the applicant is properly appointed;
whether the religious organization exists and operates in the Philippines;
whether the organization is in good repute;
whether the endorsement is complete;
whether the territorial jurisdiction is clear;
whether the applicant has prior denial or cancellation issues;
whether the forms and IDs are complete.

Processing time varies by PSA office, completeness of documents, volume of applications, and whether the file needs clarification. Applicants should not assume same-day release. For renewals, avoid filing a few days before a scheduled wedding. PSA advisories specifically remind solemnizing officers not to wait until a couple asks for solemnization before renewing. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

8. Check the CRASM Details Before Using It

When the CRASM is released, review every detail:

complete name;
religious title or position;
name of church or religious sect;
CRASM registry number;
date of effectivity;
expiration date;
territorial jurisdiction;
any limitation or condition.

If there is an error, ask for correction immediately. Do not officiate a wedding under an incorrect name, expired certificate, or unclear jurisdiction.

9. Keep Copies and Show the CRASM When Asked

PSA rules allow cancellation when a solemnizing officer fails or refuses to exhibit authority to solemnize marriage when demanded by the contracting parties, their parents, or guardian.

In real weddings, a good practice is to keep:

original CRASM in a safe file;
scanned copy for quick reference;
printed copy for wedding coordination;
list of CRASM number and expiry date for marriage certificate preparation.

Couples may politely ask for a copy or photo of the CRASM before the ceremony. A legitimate solemnizing officer should not be offended by this request.

Validity, Renewal, and Expiration of CRASM

A CRASM is generally valid for three years and expires on December 31 of every third year. It is renewable within the last quarter of the expiration year, meaning renewal may usually begin in October of that year.

For foreign solemnizing officers, PSA has noted that the validity may be less than three years because it may depend on the period they are allowed to stay in the Philippines as stated in their Alien Certificate of Registration or ACR I-Card. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Situation	Practical effect
CRASM is current and wedding is within jurisdiction	Officer may solemnize if all other marriage requirements are met
CRASM expired on December 31	Officer should not solemnize until renewed
Renewal filed but not yet approved	Officer should wait for issuance before officiating
Foreign applicant’s ACR I-Card expires earlier	CRASM validity may be shortened or affected
Officer moves to another church or sect	Renewal under a different religion or sect is treated as a first-time application under PSA rules

Duties After Solemnizing a Marriage

The solemnizing officer’s job does not end after the ceremony.

Under Article 23 of the Family Code, the person solemnizing the marriage must give either contracting party the original marriage certificate and send the duplicate and triplicate copies to the local civil registrar of the place where the marriage was solemnized not later than 15 days after the marriage. The local civil registrar issues proper receipts, and the solemnizing officer keeps the quadruplicate copy, the marriage license, and any required affidavit for solemnization outside the usual places. (Lawphil)

For license-exempt marriages under Articles 27 and 28, such as articulo mortis or remote-location marriages, the law requires additional affidavits and transmission rules. Article 30 requires the original affidavit and legible copy of the marriage contract to be sent to the local civil registrar within 30 days after the marriage. (Lawphil)

In practice, late submission can cause serious problems for couples. Their PSA marriage certificate may not appear for months, or the local civil registrar may require late registration procedures. This can affect visa applications, spousal benefits, insurance, SSS/GSIS records, immigration petitions, school records of children, and property transactions.

Common Reasons CRASM Applications Are Delayed or Denied

Incomplete or Vague Endorsement

A generic letter saying “Pastor Juan is authorized to solemnize marriage” is often not enough. The endorsement should clearly state the applicant’s authority, place of assignment, and territorial jurisdiction.

Unclear Church Structure

If the applicant is also the founder or head, PSA may require board or council authorization. If there is no board, the applicant may need a notarized sworn statement explaining that no board or council exists.

Religious Organization Not Properly Documented

If the church or sect is new, independent, or not reflected in census records, prepare SEC documents, GIS, or mayor’s certification. PSA rules specifically mention these as alternative documents to show that the religion or religious sect is operating in the Philippines.

Filing Too Close to the Wedding Date

This is risky. The PSA may need time to review, verify, and issue the CRASM. A minister should not accept a wedding date unless his or her authority is already valid for that date and place.

Expired CRASM Number on the Marriage Certificate

PSA rules allow cancellation when the solemnizing officer officiates with an expired marriage license, fails to indicate the registry number and expiry date of his or her authority, or commits similar violations. Couples also face delays when the marriage certificate contains incomplete or wrong CRASM details.

Solemnizing Outside Jurisdiction

A pastor whose CRASM states “Province of Laguna” should not officiate a wedding in Manila unless the written authority and CRASM cover Manila. PSA rules specifically list officiating outside territorial jurisdiction as a ground for cancellation.

No Member of the Couple Belongs to the Religious Sect

For priests, rabbis, imams, ministers, and similar religious solemnizing officers under Article 7(2), at least one of the contracting parties must belong to the solemnizing officer’s church or religious sect. (Lawphil) PSA rules also treat willful violation of this requirement as a ground for cancellation.

Special Rules for Foreign Ministers and Expats

Foreign pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, or ministers may be able to apply, but they should expect closer scrutiny.

Important points include:

A foreign applicant must submit an ACR I-Card, according to PSA rules.
The validity of the CRASM may be tied to the foreigner’s authorized stay in the Philippines. (Philippine Statistics Authority)
Foreign-issued appointment papers may need apostille or consular authentication if executed abroad.
The religious organization must still be operating in the Philippines and in good repute.
The applicant must still have a clear Philippine assignment and territorial jurisdiction.

A foreign minister visiting the Philippines for one destination wedding should be especially careful. Being ordained abroad does not automatically authorize a person to solemnize a Philippine marriage. The couple may instead need a Philippine-authorized solemnizing officer to conduct the legal solemnization, while the foreign minister participates in a separate blessing, symbolic ceremony, or religious celebration that does not replace the legal wedding.

What Couples Should Check Before Choosing a Solemnizing Officer

Couples do not need to become legal experts, but they should do basic due diligence. Before the wedding, ask for:

the solemnizing officer’s full legal name;
CRASM number, if applicable;
expiration date;
territorial jurisdiction;
church or religious sect stated in the CRASM;
confirmation that at least one party belongs to that church or religious sect, if the officiant is a religious solemnizing officer;
assurance that the officer will submit the marriage certificate to the correct local civil registrar within the legal period.

For civil weddings before a mayor or judge, confirm that the ceremony is within that official’s jurisdiction and that the office can accommodate the date. For weddings abroad between Filipino citizens, coordinate with the proper Philippine Embassy or Consulate because Article 10 of the Family Code gives consular officers authority in that specific situation. (Lawphil)

Where a Marriage May Be Solemnized

Article 8 of the Family Code says that a marriage must generally be solemnized publicly in the judge’s chambers or open court, church, chapel, temple, or consular office, depending on the solemnizing officer. Exceptions include marriages at the point of death, remote-place marriages, or cases where both parties request in writing that the wedding be held at a house or other place designated by them in a sworn statement. (Lawphil)

PSA’s 2021 rules similarly describe the place of solemnization as a church, chapel, temple, mosque, judge’s sala or chamber, mayor’s office, or consular office, unless there is a prior written request from the contracting parties and prior written approval from the solemnizing officer, declared in a public instrument.

This matters for garden weddings, beach weddings, hotel weddings, and private-home weddings. They are common and often valid when properly documented, but the couple and solemnizing officer should execute the required written request or sworn statement before the ceremony.

Acts That Can Lead to Cancellation of CRASM

PSA’s 2021 rules list several grounds for cancellation of authority. Common examples include:

request for cancellation by the bishop or head of the religion or religious sect;
request by the solemnizing officer himself or herself;
ceasing to be a member of the represented religion or religious sect;
conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude;
retirement, death, or permanent incapacity;
officiating where neither party belongs to the officer’s religion or sect;
officiating outside territorial jurisdiction;
refusing to show authority when demanded by the couple, parents, or guardian;
officiating without a valid marriage license when one is required;
officiating with an expired marriage license;
failing to indicate the registry number and expiry date of the authority on the marriage certificate;
for foreigners, expiration of the I-Card before the authority expires;
allowing proxy marriages;
using a proxy solemnizing officer; and
other acts contrary to law.

A solemnizing officer should treat the CRASM as a public responsibility, not merely a church document. It affects the civil status, property rights, legitimacy issues, immigration records, and future family law rights of the couple.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a licensed solemnizing officer in the Philippines?

For most religious applicants, you need to be properly appointed or endorsed by your church or religious sect, prepare the required PSA documents, accomplish OCRG-SO Form No. 1, and file the application with the appropriate PSA field office. If approved, the PSA issues a CRASM stating your authority, validity period, and territorial jurisdiction.

Can an ordinary person get authority to solemnize marriage?

Usually, no. Philippine law does not allow an ordinary private person to get wedding-officiant authority simply by applying. You must fall under a legally recognized category, such as judge, mayor, consular officer, duly authorized and registered religious minister, imam, or recognized customary authority.

Does online ordination make me a solemnizing officer in the Philippines?

Not by itself. A foreign or online ordination does not automatically give authority to solemnize marriages in the Philippines. For legal solemnization, the person must be authorized under Philippine law and, for religious ministers, registered with the Civil Registrar General through the CRASM process.

How long is a CRASM valid?

A CRASM is generally valid for three years and expires on December 31 of every third year. It is renewable within the last quarter of the expiration year. For foreign applicants, the validity may be shorter depending on the validity of the ACR I-Card or authorized stay in the Philippines.

Where should I file my CRASM application?

The usual filing office is the PSA field office or provincial statistical office where the minister’s church assignment is located. PSA advisories emphasize filing at the field office covering the minister’s assignment. (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Can a pastor solemnize a wedding anywhere in the Philippines?

Only if the pastor’s written authority and CRASM cover the place where the wedding will be solemnized. The CRASM states the territorial jurisdiction. Officiating outside that jurisdiction can lead to cancellation and may raise questions about the validity of the marriage.

Can a mayor solemnize a wedding outside his city or municipality?

A city or municipal mayor’s authority comes from the Local Government Code and is tied to the office and territorial jurisdiction. A mayor should solemnize marriages within his or her city or municipality. For destination weddings outside the mayor’s locality, couples should use a solemnizing officer with authority over the ceremony location.

What happens if the solemnizing officer’s CRASM expired before the wedding?

The officer should not solemnize the wedding until the CRASM is renewed. If the ceremony has already happened, the couple should promptly consult the local civil registrar and check the recorded marriage documents. Depending on the facts, the issue may affect validity, registration, or both.

Does the solemnizing officer need to submit the marriage certificate?

Yes. Under Article 23 of the Family Code, the solemnizing officer must send the duplicate and triplicate copies of the marriage certificate to the local civil registrar of the place where the marriage was solemnized not later than 15 days after the wedding. (Lawphil)

Can a solemnizing officer conduct a wedding without a marriage license?

Only in specific cases allowed by law, such as articulo mortis, remote-place marriages, certain Muslim or indigenous customary marriages, and the special five-year cohabitation situation under Article 34. The solemnizing officer must be careful because officiating without a valid marriage license when one is required is a ground for cancellation of authority. (Lawphil)

Key Takeaways

The authority of the solemnizing officer is a formal requisite of marriage under the Family Code.
Religious solemnizing officers generally need a CRASM from the PSA through the Office of the Civil Registrar General.
A CRASM states the officer’s authority, validity period, and territorial jurisdiction.
The usual requirements include OCRG-SO Form No. 1, recent 2x2 photos, appointment papers, endorsement from the religious head, proof of identity, ACR I-Card for foreign applicants, and proof of payment.
Heads or founders of religious groups, imams, and tribal leaders have additional documentary requirements.
A CRASM is generally valid for three years and expires on December 31 of every third year.
A solemnizing officer must not officiate outside his or her territorial jurisdiction, with an expired CRASM, without a valid marriage license when required, or where neither party belongs to the officer’s church or religious sect.
After the wedding, the solemnizing officer must transmit the required marriage certificate copies to the local civil registrar within the period required by law.