If you and your partner are third-degree cousins wondering whether you can legally marry in the Philippines, the answer is straightforward under current law. Many couples in this situation search for clarity because family members sometimes express concern based on tradition, while others worry about paperwork, the legitimacy of future children, or how government offices will treat their application. Philippine law draws a firm but limited line on marriages between blood relatives, and third-degree cousins fall comfortably outside the prohibited categories.

This article explains the exact legal rules from the Family Code, shows how civil degrees of relationship are calculated with practical examples, walks through the actual steps to obtain a marriage license, highlights common real-world hurdles, and answers the questions people most often ask.

The Legal Framework: Articles 37 and 38 of the Family Code

The Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209, series of 1987) governs who may marry. Two key articles address relationships.

Article 37 declares the following marriages incestuous and void from the beginning, whether the relationship is legitimate or illegitimate:

Between ascendants and descendants of any degree (for example, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild).
Between brothers and sisters, whether of the full or half blood.

Article 38 lists additional marriages that are void from the beginning for reasons of public policy. The most relevant provision for cousins states:

(1) Between collateral blood relatives whether legitimate or illegitimate, up to the fourth civil degree.

Other items in Article 38 cover certain step-relations, parents-in-law and children-in-law in specific cases, and adoption-related prohibitions. The collateral-blood-relative rule up to the fourth civil degree is the one that directly affects cousin marriages.

Because the prohibition stops at the fourth civil degree, any collateral blood relationship beyond that point is legally permitted. Third-degree cousins (commonly called third cousins) are related in the eighth civil degree, so no prohibition applies.

How Civil Degrees of Relationship Are Calculated

Philippine courts and civil registrars use the civil-law method of counting degrees for collateral relatives. You locate the nearest common ancestor, then count the number of persons in the line from that ancestor to each of the two people involved (excluding the common ancestor itself). Add the two counts together.

Here is how common relationships break down for marriage purposes:

Relationship	Common Ancestor	Civil Degree	Marriage Allowed?
Siblings (full or half)	Parent	2nd	No (Article 37)
Uncle/Aunt and Niece/Nephew	Grandparent	3rd	No (Article 38)
First Cousins	Grandparent	4th	No (Article 38)
First Cousins Once Removed	Grandparent	5th	Yes
Second Cousins	Great-Grandparent	6th	Yes
Third Cousins	Great-Great-Grandparent	8th	Yes

Example for third cousins: Your common ancestor is a great-great-grandparent. The chain from that ancestor to you runs through four people (great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, you). The same four-person chain runs to your partner. Adding both sides gives eight degrees. This places the relationship well beyond the fourth-degree cutoff.

To verify your own situation in practice, request PSA birth certificates for the relevant parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. These official records let you trace the exact lines and confirm the common ancestor. Most couples find the calculation simple once they lay out the documents; if lines are unusually complex, a quick review with a notary or someone familiar with civil-registry records usually clarifies everything.

Marriage Between Third-Degree Cousins: Legal Status

Marriage between third-degree cousins is fully legal in the Philippines. No court petition, special dispensation, or extra government approval is required beyond the ordinary marriage-license process. The Local Civil Registrar will not treat your application differently from any other couple’s once the documents are complete and the sworn statements are accurate.

The law treats legitimate and illegitimate relationships the same way for this purpose—Article 38 applies regardless of birth status. Your marriage, once validly celebrated, carries all the ordinary legal consequences: absolute community or conjugal partnership of gains (depending on what you choose or default to), mutual support obligations, and inheritance rights as spouses.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Marriage License

The process is the same one followed by thousands of couples each year. Third-cousin relationships do not trigger additional scrutiny when documents are in order.

Confirm both parties are at least 18 years old. Marriages below 18 are void even with parental consent.
If either of you is between 18 and 21 years old, obtain written parental consent (or a properly executed affidavit of consent) from the father, mother, surviving parent, or legal guardian.
Secure the core civil-registry documents from the Philippine Statistics Authority:
- Original PSA Birth Certificate on SECPA security paper for each party.
- Original PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) for each party.
Prepare supporting items:
- Valid government-issued photo ID.
- Community Tax Certificate (Cedula).
- If previously married: annulment/nullity decree, recognized foreign divorce, or death certificate of former spouse.
- If one party is a foreign national: Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage issued by their embassy or consulate (with required authentication or apostille and DFA processing where applicable), plus passport.
File the sworn application in person at the Local Civil Registrar of the city or municipality where either of you habitually resides. The application form includes a declaration under oath that you are not related within any prohibited degree. Because third cousins are not prohibited, this statement is accurate.
Complete any pre-marriage orientation or seminar required by your local government unit (many LGUs schedule these regularly at city or municipal halls).
Pay the marriage-license fee and receive the license. It is typically issued within one to a few days and remains valid for 120 days.
Have the marriage solemnized by an authorized officer (judge, priest or pastor with authority, mayor, or other person authorized by law) in the presence of at least two witnesses of legal age.
Ensure the solemnizing officer returns the accomplished license to the issuing LCR for registration. The LCR forwards records to the PSA, which later issues the official Marriage Certificate.

In everyday experience, couples who are third cousins complete this sequence without unusual delays caused by their relationship. Bottlenecks usually come from peak seasons (December holidays, February), incomplete documents, or longer queues at busy LCR or PSA offices.

Common Challenges Couples Encounter

Even when the law permits the marriage, practical and personal issues can arise.

Family hesitation is the most frequent non-legal obstacle. Some relatives disapprove of any cousin marriage on cultural or personal grounds, even when the relationship is as distant as third cousins. Many couples explain the legal position calmly, share the Family Code provisions, or choose a modest civil ceremony first and address family dynamics afterward.

Terminology confusion also occurs. People sometimes refer to “third-degree cousins” when they actually mean relatives in the third civil degree (uncle/niece level, which is prohibited). Mapping the family tree with PSA records removes doubt.

For mixed-nationality couples, the foreign partner’s embassy document and authentication steps add time—sometimes several weeks or more if documents must come from abroad. Starting that process early prevents last-minute problems.

If documents later reveal the relationship is actually closer than believed (for example, first cousins), the marriage would be void from the beginning. Confirming the degree with official records before filing avoids this situation and any later need to seek a judicial declaration of nullity.

Documents, Fees, and Typical Timelines

Standard documents for both parties:

PSA Birth Certificate (original)
PSA CENOMAR (original)
Valid photo ID
Cedula
Parental consent document (if ages 18–21)

Extra for foreign nationals:

Embassy Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (authenticated/apostilled as required)
Passport

Approximate fees (vary by locality):

Marriage license: usually a few hundred pesos
PSA documents: P155–P300+ per copy depending on request method
Notarization and minor fees: a few hundred pesos

Typical timelines:

PSA document requests: several days to two weeks (online options are often faster)
LCR application to license issuance: 1–3 days once papers are complete
Pre-marriage seminar: attend scheduled session
License validity: 120 days
PSA Marriage Certificate availability: usually 1–3 months after the LCR registers the marriage

Contact your specific Local Civil Registrar for exact current fees and any additional local requirements such as barangay clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can third cousins legally marry in the Philippines?
Yes. They are related in the eighth civil degree. Article 38 of the Family Code prohibits only collateral blood relatives up to the fourth civil degree.

How does this compare with second cousins or first cousins?
Second cousins (sixth civil degree) may also marry. First cousins (fourth civil degree) may not—their marriage is void from the beginning.

Is any special permission or court order required?
No. The ordinary marriage-license process at the Local Civil Registrar is sufficient.

What if we marry abroad?
A marriage validly celebrated in another country between third cousins is generally recognized in the Philippines because it does not violate Philippine public policy. You can register it later through the Philippine embassy or consulate and the PSA for full local effect.

Will our children be considered legitimate?
Yes. Children conceived or born during a valid marriage are legitimate under Article 164 of the Family Code. The marriage carries the same legal effects as any other valid marriage.

Are there different rules if one of us is a foreigner?
The core process is the same, but the foreign partner must submit a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from their embassy or consulate, properly authenticated. This confirms they are free to marry under their own national law.

How do we confirm our exact degree of relationship?
Obtain PSA birth certificates for the relevant family members and trace the lines to the common ancestor using the civil-degree formula. A notary public can help prepare any needed affidavit summarizing the relationship.

Does the Code of Muslim Personal Laws change anything?
Muslim Filipinos may also be governed by Presidential Decree No. 1083 (Code of Muslim Personal Laws), which permits marriages between cousins in accordance with Islamic principles. If this applies to your situation, consult the relevant Shari’a court or authority for specific guidance alongside the civil process.

Is there any difference in treatment between legitimate and illegitimate relationships?
No. The prohibition in Article 38 applies whether the blood relationship is legitimate or illegitimate.

Key Takeaways

Third-degree (third) cousins are related in the eighth civil degree and may legally marry; only collateral blood relatives up to the fourth civil degree are prohibited under Article 38 of the Family Code.
No special court order, dispensation, or extra government approval is needed beyond the standard marriage-license requirements.
Both parties must be at least 18; those aged 18–21 still need parental consent.
The process involves PSA Birth Certificates and CENOMAR, application at the Local Civil Registrar where either party resides, any required local seminar, and solemnization within the 120-day validity of the license.
Accurate family-tree documentation using PSA records prevents later questions about validity.
A properly contracted marriage between third cousins produces the same legal effects as any valid marriage, including legitimacy of children and full spousal rights and obligations.
Foreign nationals face additional steps to authenticate embassy documents but otherwise follow the identical Local Civil Registrar process.
Practical timelines depend mainly on how quickly PSA documents are obtained and local office volume; several weeks from start to wedding day is common.

The legal path is clear for third-degree cousins who wish to marry in the Philippines. With documents in order and the relationship accurately confirmed, couples can proceed through the ordinary channels that apply to every other valid marriage.