The Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR), also known as the Certificate of No Marriage or Certificate of Singleness, is an official negative certification issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It attests that the PSA’s central civil registry database contains no record of marriage for a specific individual under the provided personal details. This document serves as primary proof of civil status as single, never married, or legally free to marry after any prior marriage has been annulled or declared void with proper annotations.

In the Philippine legal system, civil registry documents derive authority from Act No. 3753 (the Civil Registry Law) and Republic Act No. 10625, which established the PSA as the central repository of civil registration records. The CENOMAR functions as the official negative counterpart to a marriage certificate, drawn from the national database that consolidates local civil registry entries nationwide.

Importance and Common Uses

The CENOMAR is indispensable in numerous legal and administrative transactions:

Marriage license applications — Local civil registrars require it to confirm that an applicant has no existing marriage record.
Visa and immigration processes — Including fiancé(e) visas, spousal visas, or applications requiring proof of single status.
Consular services abroad — Such as obtaining a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (CLCCM) at Philippine embassies or consulates, where the CENOMAR must typically be no older than 180 days and DFA-authenticated.
Government and private transactions — Passport renewals or applications in certain cases, ePhilID registration, employment in sensitive positions, loan applications, benefit claims, and some insurance or financial products.
International purposes — When Filipinos marry abroad or foreigners marry in the Philippines, the document may support legal capacity requirements.

For annulled or void marriages, the court decision must first be annotated on the PSA records. A new CENOMAR can then be issued reflecting the updated single status.

Who May Request a CENOMAR

Any person may request their own CENOMAR. Authorized representatives may also apply on behalf of another individual provided they present a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA), their own government-issued ID, and a copy of the principal’s ID. Parents or guardians may request for minors with appropriate documentation. Requests for deceased persons are generally not issued as CENOMAR; a death certificate is used instead.

Overseas Filipinos (OFWs and those living abroad) may apply online with international delivery options or through an authorized representative in the Philippines. Philippine embassies and consulates can also facilitate requests or provide guidance on equivalent processes.

Required Information and Documents

Accurate details are critical because the PSA matches the request against existing records:

Complete name (first, middle, last, and any suffixes).
Exact date and place of birth.
Full names of parents (including mother’s maiden name).
For walk-in applications: A valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license, SSS/GSIS ID, PhilID).
For authorized representatives: Notarized SPA, representative’s ID, and requester’s ID copy.

Supporting documents such as a PSA birth certificate may help resolve discrepancies. Incorrect spelling of names or parents’ names is a frequent cause of delays or rejections.

Methods of Application

1. Online Application (Most Convenient)

The PSA maintains official and authorized online portals for requesting civil registry documents, including CENOMAR. Popular authorized platforms include PSA Serbilis and partner services that offer door-to-door delivery.

Steps:

Access an authorized PSA online portal and select “CENOMAR” or “Certificate of No Marriage Record.”
Provide the required personal details exactly as they appear in official records.
Review and confirm all entries.
Pay the applicable fee through available channels (bank transfer, e-wallets, credit/debit cards, or over-the-counter).
Receive a reference or tracking number.
Wait for processing and courier delivery to the specified address. International delivery options are available for those abroad.

No physical appointment is required for pure online requests. Digital (e-certificate) versions with QR codes for verification are also offered in some systems.

2. Walk-in Application

Applicants or representatives may visit a PSA Civil Registry System (CRS) outlet, often located in major malls or dedicated centers.

Steps:

Secure an online appointment slot if required by the specific outlet through the PSA appointment system.
Proceed to the outlet on the scheduled date and time.
Fill out the CENOMAR application form.
Present valid ID and any authorization documents.
Pay the fee at the designated counter.
Receive a claim stub or official receipt.
Return on the designated release date to claim the document. Some outlets offer same-day or expedited release depending on volume.

Outlets typically operate weekdays from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, with limited Saturday hours in certain locations.

Fees and Payment

As of recent updates, the basic PSA fee for a CENOMAR is ₱210 per copy, higher than the standard ₱155 for birth, marriage, or death certificates. Online orders through authorized partners typically total around ₱420, inclusive of processing, service, and courier fees. Digital e-certificate versions may cost approximately ₱185. Fees are subject to change; additional charges may apply for priority processing, multiple copies, or international delivery.

Payment options include online banking, e-wallets (e.g., GCash), credit cards, and over-the-counter remittances. Always retain the official receipt or reference number.

Processing Time and Delivery

Online — Processing usually takes several working days, followed by courier delivery (typically 3–7 working days within the Philippines, longer for international).
Walk-in — Release may occur on the same day or within a few working days, depending on the outlet’s workload and appointment schedule.

Couriers such as 2GO or LBC handle delivery. Track the status using the reference number on the portal. For international requests, delivery addresses abroad or pickup arrangements through embassies may be arranged.

Validity and Use Abroad

The CENOMAR itself has no fixed expiration date. However, government agencies, courts, and foreign embassies often require a recent issuance—commonly within six months or 180 days—for marriage, visa, or consular purposes.

For use outside the Philippines, the PSA CENOMAR must undergo authentication by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through an Apostille. The DFA has implemented an e-Apostille system that allows submission of digital PSA certificates (with QR codes) for faster processing, eliminating the need for physical red-ribbon authentication in many cases.

The Apostille certifies the document’s legitimacy under the Apostille Convention, making it recognizable in member countries without further legalization.

Special Considerations and Common Challenges

Name Discrepancies and Corrections
Mismatches between the requested details and PSA records often result in “no record found” or errors. If the underlying birth record contains clerical errors, petitioners may file for correction under Republic Act No. 9048 (as amended by RA 10172) at the local civil registrar or PSA without court intervention for minor changes. Substantial corrections require a court petition. Supporting evidence such as school records, baptismal certificates, or affidavits may be needed.

Previously Married Individuals
If a marriage record exists, the PSA will not issue a CENOMAR. For annulled, void, or legally separated cases, the court decision must be registered and annotated on the PSA marriage record before a new CENOMAR can reflect the current civil status.

Foreign Nationals
Foreigners with no Philippine marriage record may obtain a CENOMAR if needed for marriage in the Philippines. They typically also require a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from their embassy.

Minors and Special Cases
Guardians apply with proof of relationship. Requests involving adopted individuals or those with late-registered births require additional supporting documents.

Digital vs. Printed Copies
PSA e-certificates with QR codes are increasingly accepted for many local purposes and can be printed on security paper at PSA outlets for a fee. However, certain transactions (e.g., marriage licenses or DFA Apostille) may still require the physical copy.

Verification and Authenticity

Genuine PSA CENOMAR documents include security features and a QR code for online verification. Always obtain from official or authorized channels to avoid fraudulent documents. The PSA and DFA maintain systems to check authenticity.

Obtaining a CENOMAR is a straightforward yet detail-sensitive process governed by the PSA’s mandate to maintain accurate civil registry records. Proper preparation of personal details, choice of application method suited to one’s circumstances, and awareness of downstream requirements for authentication ensure efficient acquisition of this essential legal document. Procedures and fees may be updated by the PSA; applicants should refer to official channels for the most current information when initiating a request.