How to Obtain a Certificate of Marriage (Declaration) in the Philippines A comprehensive legal guide (updated June 2025)
1. What exactly is the “Certificate of Marriage (Declaration)”?
Civil Registry Document. Officially, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) calls it a Certificate of Marriage (COM). Lay persons often refer to it as a “Marriage Certificate” or, in some parishes and embassies, a “Certificate of Marriage Declaration.” Whatever the label, it is the civil-registry proof that a marriage has been validly recorded with the Philippine government.
Two physical versions exist.
Version Where it originates Paper used Typical purpose Local Civil Registry (LCR) Copy Municipality/City where the marriage was registered Plain white security paper with municipal dry seal Corrections, very recent marriages (< 3 months) PSA Copy PSA main database in Quezon City Yellow Security Paper (SECPA) with PSA watermark & bar code All government & private transactions (passport, SSS, bank loans, immigration, etc.) Annotated certificates. If a court later issues a Decree of Annulment, Declaration of Nullity, or Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce, PSA produces a Certificate of Marriage (with Annotation)—the same document, but bearing the court decree details.
2. Legal framework
| Statute / Rule | Key points related to marriage registration & certification |
|---|---|
| Family Code of the Philippines (E.O. 209, 1987) | Arts. 2–13: Requisites of marriage; Art. 23: Duty of solemnizing officer to register the marriage within 15 days (30 days if abroad). |
| Civil Registry Law (Act No. 3753, 1930) | Created local civil registry system; imposes penalties for non-registration. |
| RA 10625 (Philippine Statistical Act of 2013) | Created PSA; centralized issuance of civil registry documents. |
| RA 9048 / RA 10172 | Administrative correction of clerical errors in civil-registry entries (including marriage certificates). |
| Laws on Muslim Personal Laws (PD 1083) & Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (RA 8371) | Recognize Shari’a and customary marriages; still require reporting to LCR/PSA. |
| 2019 Hague Apostille Convention (PH accession) | Replaced DFA “red-ribbon” with apostille for authenticating PSA marriage certificates used abroad. |
3. How a marriage becomes part of the PSA database
| Step | Who acts | Deadline | Governing provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Marriage celebrated (church, civil, Shari’a, tribal). | Solemnizing officer. | – | Family Code, PD 1083 |
| 2. Officer accomplishes Certificate of Marriage Form (CRS Form 3A) in quadruplicate. | Same officer. | Immediately after ceremony | Family Code Art. 23 |
| 3. Form is filed with LCR of place of marriage. | Officiant or either spouse. | Within 15 days (30 days if abroad). | Family Code Art. 23 |
| 4. LCR records the event in the Register of Marriages and issues Certified Transcription on request. | LCR. | Same day if on-time. | Act 3753 |
| 5. LCR transmits monthly batch of registered events to PSA. | LCR. | On or before 10th day of following month. | PSA Circulars |
| 6. PSA encodes, checks, and releases COM on SECPA. | PSA. | 2–3 months after LCR transmittal (rush encoding possible). | PSA Memoranda |
4. Who may request a copy
Under PSA-Civil Registry System (CRS) rules (Memorandum Circular 2019-05):
Either spouse
Their direct descendants/ascendants (children, parents, grandparents)
Court-appointed guardian
Authorized representative with:
- Signed Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
- Photocopy of the requesting party’s valid ID
- Representative’s own valid ID
Law-enforcement and judicial subpoenas supersede privacy restrictions.
5. Ways to obtain the certificate
| Mode | Where/How | Fees (June 2025) | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in (PSA Serbilis Centers) | Any PSA CRS Outlet nationwide | ₱155 per copy | Same day (within ~2 hours) |
| Walk-in (LCR) | City/Municipal Hall (only for LCR copy) | ₱120–₱200 (varies) | Same day |
| Online – PSA Helpline (www.psahelpline.ph) | Web or hotline (02-87371111) | ₱365 (incl. courier) | Metro Manila: 3–4 working days; Provinces: 4–8 working days |
| Online – PSA Serbilis (www.psaserbilis.com.ph) | Web | ₱330 (incl. courier) | PH delivery: 6–8 working days; Foreign: 6–8 weeks |
| Overseas Filipino (via Embassy/Consulate) | • File Report of Marriage (ROM) first. • After PSA encodes ROM (3–6 months), order copy online or authorize relative in PH. |
Embassy fees: US $25–30; PSA copy: same as above | 3–6 months for encoding + courier time |
| Court-ordered/authenticated copies | Clerk of Court forwards decree to LCR; afterward obtain annotated PSA copy. | PSA fee plus DFA Apostille fee ₱200 (rush ₱400) | 7–10 working days |
Practical tip: For urgent foreign-use applications, secure the PSA copy first, then have it apostilled at DFA-ASEANA (Pasay) or DFA Consular Offices-SM malls. Apostille walk-in quota fills early—arrive before 10 a.m.
6. Documentary requirements (walk-in)
- Accomplished PSA CRS Application Form (check “Marriage Certificate”).
- One valid government-issued ID (original and 1 photocopy).
- Authorization documents if requesting for someone else.
- Fees (cash, GCash, PayMaya, or debit/credit at selected outlets).
- Court decree & Certificate of Finality (only if you need an annotated copy updated).
7. Common special scenarios
| Scenario | Additional steps |
|---|---|
| Late registration (> 30 days after ceremony) | File Affidavit for Delayed Registration at LCR + proof of marriage; pay ₱1,000 fine (average); then follow normal PSA process. |
| Wrong spelling/date in certificate | File Petition for Clerical Error Correction under RA 9048 (simple) or RA 9858 (illegitimacy legitimation) at LCR; posting & approval take 3–6 months, then request new PSA copy. |
| Foreign marriage between two Filipinos | File Report of Marriage at nearest PH Embassy/Consulate within 1 year; embassy forwards to DFA then PSA. |
| Muslim (Shari’a) marriage | Register at Shari’a Circuit Court or Municipal LCR; obtain COM with annotation “PD 1083.” |
| Indigenous/tribal rites | Parents/community elders execute Joint Affidavit of Tribal Marriage; register with LCR; PSA issues COM after validation. |
8. Uses of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage
- Philippine passport application/renewal (change from maiden to married name)
- SSS, GSIS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth benefit claims
- Visa/immigration petitions (proof of relationship)
- Bank account name change, housing loan, insurance claims
- Inheritance proceedings (prove legitimacy or surviving-spouse status)
- Court evidence in nullity/annulment, adoption, or support cases
- Church sacramental records and canonical annulment processes
- Death benefit claims (GSIS survivorship, AFP/PNP benefits)
9. Security features & authenticity checks
- SECPA paper embedded fibers & PSA logo watermark
- QR/bar code linking to PSA database entry
- Dry seal of PSA (2024 redesign bears stylized Sulong Pilipinas motif)
- Tamper-evident microtext border
- Document is valid indefinitely unless annotated; agencies cannot require “recent” copies unless new events (annulment, correction) occurred.
10. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I request by mail without going online? | Yes. Send filled CRS-MC Form + Money Order to PSA East Avenue; document will be mailed back. |
| My spouse passed away; do I need a new certificate? | Usually not—use the marriage certificate plus PSA Death Certificate of spouse. |
| Can I expedite PSA encoding after a very recent wedding? | Present LCR-certified true copy and letter request at PSA-Main; rush entry costs an extra ₱500–₱1,000. |
| Is the church certificate enough? | No. The ceremonial/parish certificate is not a civil-registry record; you still need the PSA/LCR copy. |
| Is an apostille needed for use in Canada or the UAE? | Yes—both are Hague Apostille Parties. Present PSA SECPA copy to DFA for apostille. |
11. Penalties for non-registration & misuse
- Failure to register within the statutory period: Fine ≤ ₱5,000 or imprisonment ≤ 6 months (Art. 347, Rev. Penal Code) plus LCR administrative fines.
- Counterfeiting or selling fake PSA certificates: Reclusion temporal and fine ≤ ₱10,000 (Art. 172, RPC).
- Unauthorized disclosure of civil-registry information by public officers: Administrative liability (NCCA Rules) and possible criminal charges.
12. Key take-aways
- Always register the marriage promptly. Without registration, you cannot later prove marital status or claim property/benefits.
- PSA copy on SECPA is the “gold standard.” Most agencies reject plain photocopies or parish certificates.
- Plan ahead for foreign use. PSA copy → DFA apostille → Translation (if country not English-speaking).
- Protect original documents. Keep at least two certified copies; lamination voids SECPA security features—use a transparent sleeve instead.
- Know your remedies. Clerical errors, late registration, or annulment annotations are administrative processes—no lawyer required for simple cases.
Prepared by: [Your-Name], Philippine Attorney-at-Law Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Quezon City Chapter Latest update: 11 June 2025 (Manila time)