Executive summary
In the Philippines, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the government custodian of civil registry records (birth, marriage, death, and related annotations). To prove you are single, you typically secure a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record). To prove you are married, you secure a PSA Marriage Certificate (and, where relevant, an Advisory on Marriages). This article explains the legal bases, what each document contains, when each is used, how to get them (online, walk-in, or through a representative), what to do if there’s “No Record” or data errors, how annotations (annulment/recognition of foreign divorce/legitimation/corrections) appear, and practical checklists.
Legal framework (Philippine context)
- Act No. 3753 (Civil Registry Law) creates the civil registry system and requires registration of vital events.
- The Family Code of the Philippines governs capacity to marry, formal and essential requisites, and effects of marriage, annulment, nullity, and legal separation.
- Republic Act No. 10625 (Philippine Statistical Act of 2013) created the PSA and transferred civil registry functions (formerly NSO) to PSA.
- RA 9048 (as amended) allows administrative correction of clerical/typographical errors and change of first name/nickname in civil registry documents without court proceedings.
- RA 10172 extends administrative corrections to day/month of birth and sex/gender entries due to clerical errors.
- Article 26(2) of the Family Code (as interpreted by jurisprudence) allows judicial recognition of a foreign divorce obtained by a foreign spouse, permitting the Filipino to remarry once the marriage record is judicially recognized and annotated.
- Shari’a courts have jurisdiction over certain Muslim personal status cases; decisions that affect civil status are transmitted for annotation in PSA records.
Key PSA documents to verify marital status
1) CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record)
What it is: A PSA-issued certification that no marriage involving the named person appears in the national civil registry database for the searched details.
When used: Marriage license application, employment (local/overseas), immigration/visa, bank/real estate transactions, court proceedings, or whenever proof of single status (or absence of PSA-recorded marriage) is required.
Important nuance:
- A CENOMAR reflects PSA records as of the search date. If a marriage was not registered, registered under different particulars (e.g., variant name), or not yet transmitted to PSA, the CENOMAR may still show “No Record.”
- Agencies often ask for a CENOMAR issued within the last 6 months. There is no statutory “expiration”, but validity is set by the receiving institution.
2) Advisory on Marriages (AOM)
- What it is: A PSA document listing all marriages recorded for the individual, including dates, places, and, if applicable, annotations (e.g., annulled/void, with remarks and reference to the annotating instrument).
- When used: When you already have a marriage record or need a consolidated view of multiple marriages or status annotations.
3) PSA Marriage Certificate (on security paper / “SECPA”)
- What it is: The official PSA copy of the marriage certificate (registered via the Local Civil Registry or a Report of Marriage from a Philippine foreign post).
- What it shows: Parties’ names, dates, place of marriage, officiant, and marginal annotations (e.g., annulment/nullity, recognition of foreign divorce, legitimation, corrections).
- When used: Proof of marriage for benefits, visas, passports/ID name changes, estate proceedings, property transactions, and court matters.
PSA vs. LCR copy: A PSA copy is issued on green SECPA paper and is widely required by agencies. An LCR-certified copy (municipality/city civil registrar) may be useful for tracing “No Record” issues or when the PSA copy is not yet available due to transmission delays.
Where and how to request
A. Online ordering (delivery to your address)
Available via PSA’s official online channels and accredited partners.
What you’ll need:
- Full name (with all known variants/aliases and middle name), sex, complete date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names;
- For marriage documents: spouse’s full name, date and place of marriage;
- Valid government-issued ID information;
- Delivery address and contact details.
Processing & delivery: Typically several business days after successful payment; timelines vary by location and courier service.
Payment: Prevailing PSA/partner fees (base fee + delivery/handling). Fees change from time to time; use the portal’s current rates.
B. Walk-in at PSA Civil Registry System (CRS) outlets
- Bring a valid government ID.
- Fill out the request form for CENOMAR, Advisory on Marriages, or Marriage Certificate.
- Pay the prevailing fee and receive either the document the same day or a claim stub indicating the release date.
C. Through a representative (authorized third party)
Provide your representative with:
- Signed authorization letter (or Special Power of Attorney for sensitive/complex requests);
- Photocopy of your valid ID;
- Representative’s original valid ID.
Some portals allow direct-to-principal delivery even if a representative placed the order.
Data privacy: PSA enforces identity verification and consent. Third-party requests for someone else’s records (especially with annotations) may require stronger proof of authority (SPA/court order/affidavit).
Choosing the right document for your purpose
| Situation | Document usually requested | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| You have never been married in the Philippines or via Report of Marriage | CENOMAR | Add an AOM only if a receiving agency asks for it. |
| You are married | PSA Marriage Certificate | Some agencies also ask for AOM to see consolidated history/annotations. |
| You are annulled or marriage declared void | PSA Marriage Certificate with annotation + often AOM | The annotation must already appear in PSA records; otherwise, agencies may treat you as still married. |
| You obtained a foreign divorce (spouse foreigner) | PSA Marriage Certificate with annotation after Philippine court recognition of the foreign divorce | A CENOMAR alone is not enough; the PSA record must be annotated post-judgment. |
| You married abroad and reported it | PSA Marriage Certificate issued from a Report of Marriage (ROM) | If no ROM was filed/transmitted, PSA may show no marriage; remedy is to file/track ROM. |
| You are widowed | PSA Marriage Certificate + PSA Death Certificate of spouse | A CENOMAR will still show historical marriages; AOM reflects status once annotated. |
How to fill details to avoid “No Record” or mismatches
- Use exact legal name as on your birth certificate. Include known variants (e.g., “Ma.” vs “Maria”; hyphenated surnames).
- Middle name matters. Errors often come from missing/incorrect middle names.
- Include all prior names (e.g., pre-marriage, post-marriage, alias/anglicized spellings, “Ñ/ñ” vs “N/n”).
- Provide complete dates (birth; marriage date/place) and parents’ full names.
- If you changed your first name, sex, day/month of birth under RA 9048/10172, use the post-correction details and expect the PSA record to carry an annotation.
Interpreting results
If you receive a CENOMAR
“No marriage record found” means PSA has no recorded marriage for the person using the searched particulars at the time of issuance.
Caveats:
- A late-registered or recently registered marriage may not yet appear.
- A marriage recorded under different name/spelling will not surface unless that variant is searched.
- A marriage abroad without a Report of Marriage transmitted to PSA will not appear.
If you receive an Advisory on Marriages
- Lists each marriage, with date/place and remarks.
- Annotated events (annulment, nullity, judicial recognition of foreign divorce) appear in the remarks/marginal note with reference to the instrument (decision/registry entry).
If you receive a PSA Marriage Certificate
- Verify names, dates, place, and officiant.
- Look for marginal annotations (left/right margin or remarks portion). Agencies rely heavily on these annotations to assess current status.
Common issues and remedies
1) “No Record” but you’re sure a marriage exists
- Transmission delay: LCR/foreign post to PSA can take weeks to months. Ask the LCR (or the Philippine embassy/consulate for ROM) about endorsement/transmittal and batch/registry numbers.
- Variant names: Re-request using other name spellings/aliases or your pre-marriage name.
- ROM not filed: If married abroad, file the Report of Marriage; if already filed, follow up for endorsement to PSA.
2) Data errors (misspelled names, wrong date/sex, etc.)
- Clerical/typographical errors or change of first name/nickname: Petition under RA 9048 with the LCR that holds the record (or nearest LCR where allowed).
- Day/month of birth or sex due to clerical error: Petition under RA 10172.
- Substantive changes (e.g., change of citizenship, legitimacy, or entries not covered by RA 9048/10172): Usually require a court order.
- Once approved, the LCR endorses the correction; the PSA record is annotated, and future PSA copies will reflect the change.
3) You obtained a foreign divorce
- If your spouse was a foreigner at the time of divorce, file a petition for judicial recognition of foreign divorce in the Philippines.
- After final judgment, submit to the LCR/PSA for annotation of the marriage record. Only then will PSA documents show you as free to remarry.
4) Religious/customary marriages
- For civil effects, a marriage must be registered. Religious ceremonies (Catholic/other denominations/indigenous rites) require registration with the LCR; otherwise, PSA will show no record.
Practical checklists
To request a CENOMAR
- Your full name (and variants), sex, birthdate, place of birth
- Parents’ full names
- Valid government ID
- Payment
- Recent issuance (within 6 months) if the receiving agency requires it
To request a Marriage Certificate / AOM
- Both spouses’ full names (with middle names and variants)
- Date and place of marriage
- Valid ID; if representative, authorization + IDs
- If married abroad, check that ROM has been filed and endorsed to PSA
If your status changed (annulment/nullity/divorce recognition)
- Secure final court decision/CEN/RTC entry of judgment
- Ensure annotation is transmitted to LCR and endorsed to PSA
- Order new PSA copies to confirm the annotation appears
Frequently asked questions
Does a CENOMAR “expire”? No statute sets an expiry. However, many institutions require a CENOMAR issued within the last 6 months. Always follow the receiving party’s recency rule.
Can I use an old NSO (yellow paper) copy? PSA (green SECPA) is the current standard. Some offices may still accept NSO copies, but many require PSA-issued copies.
I’m widowed. Do I still need a CENOMAR? Agencies typically require your PSA Marriage Certificate + PSA Death Certificate of your late spouse. A CENOMAR is not a substitute for those records.
Can someone else get my CENOMAR/Marriage Certificate? Yes, with proper authorization and IDs. For sensitive records, additional proof (SPA/court order) may be required.
How long before a newly registered marriage appears at PSA? It varies. Allow several weeks to a few months for LCR to endorse and PSA to index the record. If urgent, coordinate with the LCR for the status of endorsement.
Will a foreign marriage show up on my CENOMAR? Only if it was reported through a Report of Marriage and endorsed to PSA. Otherwise, PSA may still show “No Record.”
What does an annotation look like? It appears as marginal notes or remarks on the PSA copy (and is summarized in an AOM), citing the legal basis (e.g., court case number, date, LCR reference).
Good practices and cautions
- Order early. If you’re applying for a visa, license, or benefits, build in lead time for re-ordering or resolving discrepancies.
- Keep consistent identity details. Make sure your IDs and forms use exact name spellings and full middle names.
- Beware of fixers. Use official channels and accredited partners only; PSA certificates are on security paper with anti-fraud features.
- Store copies securely. These documents contain sensitive personal data.
- When in doubt, check with the receiving institution. Requirements vary (e.g., whether they want CENOMAR + AOM together, or a certificate issued within 30/60/90/180 days).
One-page action plan
Identify what you need:
- Prove single? → CENOMAR
- Prove marriage? → PSA Marriage Certificate (plus AOM if asked)
- Prove change of status? → PSA copy with annotation (+ AOM)
Gather details & IDs (names with variants, birth/marriage dates, parents’ names).
Choose ordering mode: Online (delivery), walk-in at PSA CRS outlet, or via an authorized representative.
If records don’t appear or contain errors:
- Coordinate with LCR/foreign post for endorsement;
- File RA 9048/10172 petitions for correctible errors;
- For foreign divorce, pursue judicial recognition and annotation.
Re-order updated PSA copies to confirm that annotations now appear.
This article provides a comprehensive practical guide. For unusual scenarios (e.g., complex name histories, multiple foreign marriages, or conflicting registry entries), consider consulting counsel to map out the precise documentary trail and, where needed, the proper forum for correction or judicial relief.