Marriage Requirements in the Philippines (2025): License, Seminar, and Documentary Checklist

This article consolidates the statutory rules, standard local civil registrar (LCR) practices, and practical steps for getting legally married in the Philippines in 2025. It is written for couples marrying in the Philippines (Filipino–Filipino or Filipino–foreigner), and covers civil and religious weddings.

1) Legal Bases at a Glance

Family Code of the Philippines (E.O. 209, as amended) — essential and formal requisites, marriage license rules, authorized solemnizers, prohibited marriages, registration.
Presidential Decree No. 965 — premarital instruction on responsible parenthood and family planning prior to license issuance.
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (R.A. 10354) — integrates premarital counseling and reproductive health education.
Prohibition of Child Marriage (R.A. 11596, 2021) — criminalizes child marriage; no marriage under 18; imposes penalties on facilitators.
Code of Muslim Personal Laws (P.D. 1083) and indigenous peoples’ customary laws — govern rites and some formalities for specific communities; however, the under-18 ban still applies.
Key Supreme Court jurisprudence (illustrative): Tan-Andal v. Andal (2021) on psychological incapacity; Republic v. Manalo (2018) on recognition in the Philippines of a foreign divorce obtained by a foreign spouse (and related cases expanding application).

Bottom line: A valid Philippine marriage requires (a) legal capacity, (b) free consent, (c) an authorized solemnizing officer, (d) a marriage ceremony with two witnesses, and (e) a marriage license (unless a narrow statutory exception applies).

2) Who Can Marry — and Who Cannot

Eligible

Age: 18 years or older.
Civil status: Single, widowed, or previously married but with final court recognition of nullity/annulment or final recognition in the Philippines of a foreign divorce.
Consent: Free, voluntary, and personally given during the ceremony.

Additional family consent/advice rules (affects the license stage)

18–20 years old: Parental consent required (written, notarized/affidavit form).
21–25 years old: Parental advice required (written). If not obtained or adverse, the LCR waits three (3) months from completion of publication before releasing the license.

These are license issuance rules; the marriage itself is not void for lack of parental advice, but the LCR can delay or deny the license if the requirement is not met.

Absolutely prohibited (void)

Either party under 18.
Bigamous/polygamous marriage (an existing valid prior marriage).
Incestuous and prohibited degrees (lineal relatives; collateral relatives up to the fourth civil degree, e.g., first cousins; relatives by affinity in certain cases; step-relations and adopters/adoptees as specified).
Lack of authority of the solemnizing officer (with narrow “putative” exceptions).
Absence of a marriage license where no statutory exemption applies.
Mistake as to identity, or no real ceremony/consent.

3) The Marriage License

Where to apply

At the LCR of the city/municipality where either party habitually resides. (If the parties reside in different LGUs, you may choose either.)

Publication (posting) period

Ten (10) consecutive days of public posting of the application at the LCR. (Weekends/holidays count toward the 10 days if postings remain up.)

Validity and use

Validity: 120 days from issuance; non-extendable.
Use anywhere in the Philippines (not valid for foreign countries).

When a license is not required (narrow statutory exemptions)

Article 34 cohabitation: The parties have lived together as husband and wife for at least five (5) years, without any legal impediment at any time during those five years, and execute a joint affidavit.

Misuse is common. If either party was married to someone else during any portion of the five-year period, the exemption does not apply.
Marriages in articulo mortis (at the point of death) or in remote places / special circumstances (e.g., at sea, in aircraft, within a zone of military operation), under the Family Code’s emergency provisions. Documentation by the officiant is strict and narrowly construed.
Certain customary/military/consular situations as provided by law.

4) Mandatory Seminars (Premarital Instruction)

Before the license is released, the LCR typically requires certificates of completion for:

Pre-Marriage Orientation (PMO) and Pre-Marriage Counseling (PMC) — usually conducted by the Municipal/City Social Welfare & Development Office and/or Population Office.
Coverage commonly includes: responsible parenthood, family planning, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, gender-based violence/RA 9262, child rights, and financial planning.
Schedule: Sessions may be same-day or spread across dates; some LGUs assign your slot after application; others require completion before filing.
Religious pre-Cana (for church weddings) is separate; it does not replace the civil PMO/PMC unless your LCR explicitly recognizes it.

Tip: Do the PMO/PMC early. Missing certificates are a frequent cause of license delays.

5) Documentary Checklist (Civil License Application)

Bring originals and photocopies. LGUs vary, but the core set is consistent nationwide.

For both parties (Filipino citizens)

PSA-issued Birth Certificate (SECPA).
PSA-issued CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) or Advisory on Marriages if previously married.
Valid government-issued ID(s) showing residence.
PMO/PMC Certificates (once completed).
2×2 photos (as required by some LGUs).

If 18–20:

Parental Consent (notarized or executed before the LCR).

If 21–25:

Parental Advice (written). If adverse or absent, expect the 3-month waiting rule.

If widowed:

PSA Death Certificate of the deceased spouse; annotated marriage certificate may be required.

If annulled/null (Philippine court):

Final Decision, Entry/Certificate of Finality, and PSA-annotated marriage certificate.

If previous foreign divorce:

RTC decision recognizing the foreign divorce (with proof of foreign law and divorce decree), and PSA annotation.

Recognition is a court process in the Philippines. LCRs will not treat you as single without it.

If with foreign citizenship or marrying a foreigner

Passport (bio page) of the foreign national.
Certificate/Sworn Statement of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (or embassy/consulate equivalent).

Some embassies issue a certificate; others require a sworn affidavit. Check that it is acceptable to your LCR.
If the foreigner is divorced/widowed: the final divorce decree/death certificate plus proof of capacity under home law (often via the Legal Capacity certificate).
For foreigners previously married to Filipinos: if the Filipino spouse obtained a foreign divorce, the Filipino must first secure Philippine court recognition before the LCR will issue a new license.

Possible LGU-specific add-ons (confirm with your LCR)

Barangay Clearance of residence.
Community Tax Certificate (cedula).
Affidavit of Cohabitation (for Article 34) — joint, notarized; some LCRs require witness affidavits.
Affidavit of Loss (if IDs or civil documents were lost).
Parent(s)’ IDs (for consent/advice).

6) Step-by-Step: Getting the License

Gather documents listed above (including PMO/PMC scheduling, if your LCR requires it upfront).
File the Application for Marriage License at the LCR where either party resides; pay fees.
Posting/Publication (10 days) begins. If parental advice is adverse/absent (ages 21–25), the 3-month clock runs from the completion of posting.
Complete PMO/PMC (if not yet done) and submit certificates.
Pick up the Marriage License when the waiting/posting period (and any 3-month rule) is satisfied — check the expiry date (120 days).
Proceed to the wedding (civil or religious) within 120 days.

7) The Wedding (Civil or Religious)

Authorized solemnizers include: judges; mayors (and sometimes other local chief executives as authorized by law); duly authorized priests, pastors, imams, and religious ministers; ship captains/aircraft chiefs/military commanders for in articulo mortis cases; Philippine consuls/vice-consuls abroad for marriages between two Filipino citizens.
Ceremony essentials: personal appearance of both parties; declaration that you take each other as husband and wife; at least two witnesses of legal age; signing of the certificate.
Religious weddings still require a civil marriage license (unless a statutory exemption applies). The church will also have its own requirements (banns, pre-Cana, canonical interview, baptismal/confirmation certificates, clearance if marrying outside your parish, etc.).

8) After the Wedding: Registration and PSA Copy

The solemnizing officer (or church civil registrar) must submit the signed Certificate of Marriage to the LCR (generally within 15 days; 30 days for certain remote cases).
The LCR transmits to the PSA. You can later request a PSA Marriage Certificate (SECPA). Processing lead times vary; allow several weeks before PSA copies become available.

9) Special Situations

A. Article 34 (No-License) Marriages

Strictly for couples who cohabited continuously for at least five years with no legal impediment at any time.
Requires a joint affidavit; many LCRs scrutinize proofs (IDs at same address, children’s records, affidavits of neighbors, etc.).
Not a shortcut for those who recently became free to marry (e.g., newly annulled/divorced); the five-year period must have been free of impediments.

B. Filipino–Foreigner Marriages

The foreigner’s legal capacity must be proved per his/her national law (via embassy certificate/affidavit).
Some LCRs ask for a certified English translation of foreign documents and/or apostille/legalization. Prepare these in advance.

C. Marriage Abroad / Consular Marriages

Two Filipinos may marry abroad under the law of the place of celebration or before a Philippine consul/vice-consul (where available).
Report of Marriage (ROM): File with the Philippine embassy/consulate so it’s transmitted and recorded with PSA.
Mixed-nationality marriages valid where celebrated are generally recognized in the Philippines, but each party’s capacity remains governed by his/her national law.

D. Muslim and Indigenous Community Marriages

May be solemnized according to customary or Islamic rites under special laws.
Age under 18 is prohibited nationwide under R.A. 11596; facilitators may incur criminal liability.
Registration with the LCR (or Shari’ah court registrar where applicable) is still essential for PSA recording.

E. Name After Marriage

A woman may (but is not required to) use her husband’s surname; she may also retain her maiden name or use compound forms allowed by jurisprudence.
Changing IDs/records is administrative; bring the PSA Marriage Certificate when updating records.

F. Property Regimes and Prenups

Default property regime is absolute community of property unless a marriage settlement/prenuptial agreement provides otherwise (e.g., conjugal partnership of gains, complete separation).
Prenups must be in writing, signed before the marriage, and registered (e.g., with the LCR and, for real property, in registries) to bind third persons.

10) Timelines, Fees, and Practical Tips

Lead time: 3–6 weeks is a comfortable planning window for documents, PMO/PMC, and posting. Complex prior-marriage histories (annulment, foreign divorce recognition) require months.
Fees: LCR and seminar fees vary by LGU. PSA document fees depend on the doc type and channel (walk-in vs. online delivery).
Document consistency: Names, birthdates, and parents’ names must match across PSA records. Resolve civil registry errors first (supplemental report/correction) to avoid license delays.
Witnesses: Line them up early (must be legal age and present).
License expiry: Do not let the 120-day window lapse; otherwise, reapply.

11) Quick Civil Checklist (print-friendly)

IDs of both parties (with address).
PSA Birth Certificates.
PSA CENOMAR / Advisory on Marriages.
PMO/PMC Certificates.
Parental Consent (18–20) or Parental Advice (21–25), plus parent(s)’ IDs.
Civil status proof if previously married (PSA Death Cert; RTC Decision & Finality + PSA-annotated records; RTC recognition of foreign divorce + PSA annotation).
For foreigners: Passport + Legal Capacity certificate/affidavit (and apostille/translation if needed).
Photos (2×2), Barangay Clearance/Cedula if your LCR requires.
Fees for filing and certificates.
Schedule the wedding within 120 days of license issuance.

12) Frequently Asked Clarifications

Is there divorce in the Philippines? There is no general divorce law as of 2025. Recognition of foreign divorce is possible through a Philippine court in defined scenarios.
Can we marry without a license because we’ve lived together for years? Only if you meet all Article 34 conditions (full 5 years together with no impediment at any time) and execute the required affidavit. When in doubt, get a license.
Will a church wedding alone make us married civilly? No, unless a statutory license exemption applies. The church usually requires a civil license first; the marriage must also be registered with the LCR/PSA.
Can a minor (under 18) marry with parental consent? No. Under-18 marriages are void and facilitating them is criminalized (R.A. 11596).

13) Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid

Applying at the wrong LCR (must be where either party resides).
Relying on Article 34 when there was any prior impediment during the 5-year cohabitation.
Skipping PMO/PMC or assuming church pre-Cana suffices for the civil license.
Proceeding to marry with a license that has expired (after 120 days).
Failing to register the marriage or to report a marriage celebrated abroad.
Attempting to remarry using only a foreign divorce without Philippine court recognition (for the Filipino party).

Final Word

Plan early, verify your LCR’s local checklist, and resolve any civil registry inconsistencies before filing. If your situation involves a previous marriage (annulment/nullity, widowhood, or foreign divorce), consult counsel well ahead of your target date to ensure your civil status is properly recognized and recorded in the Philippines.