Executive summary

If you need a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) while you’re outside the Philippines, you’ll generally do it in two phases:

Get the PSA-issued document (CENOMAR or Advisory on Marriages if you’ve ever been married/annulled). You can obtain this from abroad via PSA’s online channels for overseas delivery or by authorizing a representative in the Philippines to request and receive it for you.
Authenticate for overseas use.
- If the document will be used in a country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, obtain a DFA Apostille in the Philippines.
- If the destination country is not a party, you need DFA authentication and consular legalization by that country’s embassy/consulate (often called “consularization”).

This article explains every path, who can act for you, the paperwork, timelines, and pitfalls.

1) What exactly is a CENOMAR—and when is an AOM issued instead?

CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record): A PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) certification stating that as of the date of search, no record of marriage is found for the person named. It’s commonly required for marriage abroad, immigration, or compliance checks.
Advisory on Marriages (AOM): If the PSA database reflects any marriage(s), you won’t be issued a CENOMAR; instead you’ll get an AOM listing the registered marriages (and sometimes annotations such as annulment/nullity). Foreign authorities frequently ask for an AOM if you’re previously married.

Validity window: Many foreign offices treat a CENOMAR/AOM as valid for 3–6 months from issuance. Always check the receiving authority’s rule and apply close to your appointment date.

2) Phase 1 — Obtaining the PSA document from overseas

You have three lawful routes. Choose one:

Route A — PSA online order with overseas delivery

File the request using PSA’s official online portal for civil registry documents.
Select CENOMAR/Advisory on Marriages, enter your details exactly as in your birth record (full name, middle name as mother’s maiden surname, birth date/place).
Choose international shipping to your foreign address.
Pay using the accepted online methods; ensure someone can personally receive the package at the destination address (couriers usually require a signature and ID).
Keep the order number and courier tracking.

Pros: No need to trouble a Philippine-based representative. Cons: International delivery times vary; if you need Apostille, the paper must still go back to the Philippines for DFA processing (see Phase 2).

Route B — Authorize a representative in the Philippines

If you’re going to Apostille the document anyway, this is usually fastest.

Steps

Prepare an Authorization Letter (or Special Power of Attorney if the office requires it), signed by you, identifying your representative.
- If executed abroad, the safest practice is to notarize it and, if required by the accepting office, apostille/notarize-consularize it so your representative won’t be turned away.
Email/courier to your representative:
- The signed authorization/SPA;
- Clear passport/ID scan; and
- Any supporting civil registry copies (e.g., your PSA birth certificate if the outlet requests cross-check).
Your representative files and pays for the CENOMAR/AOM at a PSA outlet or via PSA online for domestic delivery to their address.
Once received, the representative proceeds directly to DFA for Apostille (Phase 2).

Pros: Consolidates both PSA issuance and DFA Apostille inside the Philippines; no international back-and-forth. Cons: Requires someone you trust and complete paperwork.

Route C — Embassy/Consulate assistance

Some Philippine embassies/consulates can accept requests for PSA civil registry documents by transmission to PSA on your behalf (lead times vary). Most posts do not apostille Philippine documents (Apostille is a DFA-Philippines function), but they may package your request or advise on couriers.

Pros: Useful if you cannot coordinate locally or need identity vetting. Cons: Turnaround can be longer than Route B; Apostille still occurs in the Philippines.

3) Names, identities, and data that must match (avoid rejections)

Use the same name sequence as in your PSA birth record: Given Name(s) – Middle Name – Surname (middle name is typically your mother’s maiden surname).
If you’ve had a legal name change or court decree (annulment/nullity, adoption, change of name/sex), ensure the change is already annotated in PSA records; otherwise the CENOMAR search will not reflect it.
Provide all known aliases/spellings in the request’s remarks field if available.
If born abroad to Filipino parents and later reported to the PSA (via a Report of Birth), ensure that report is already registered; otherwise, PSA search may not match your foreign-format name.

4) Phase 2 — Getting your document Apostilled (or Consularized)

A. When you need an Apostille

Use an Apostille for countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. The Apostille is attached by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) in the Philippines and replaces embassy legalization.
Apostille confirms the authenticity of the PSA officer’s signature/seal; it does not cure errors in the content.

How to obtain (typical flow)

Your original PSA CENOMAR/AOM (recent issue) must be presented to DFA.
File in person (or through your authorized representative) at DFA’s authentication office or a regional consular office that handles authentication. Appointments and walk-in rules vary; bring valid IDs, the original document, and authorization/SPA if applicable.
Pay the authentication fee (regular or expedited, depending on availability).
Collect the Apostilled document. Check that:
- Names are correct;
- PSA security paper is intact;
- Apostille certificate serial and QR/verification elements are present; and
- The country of destination is a Hague member (so Apostille suffices).

Courier option: If you or your representative can’t come back, arrange courier return at the DFA counter if offered, or lodge via an authorized private courier where available. Practices change—your representative should confirm current submission/return options at the DFA site/desk.

B. When you need consular legalization (non-Hague countries)

Steps are two-tier:
1. DFA Authentication in the Philippines (similar filing as Apostille, but DFA attaches its authentication certificate intended for consularization); and
2. Legalization at the embassy/consulate of the destination country (requirements differ: some require translations, appointment, fees, and specific forms).

Tip: Ask the receiving embassy whether they also need a translated version (and if the translation must be notarized and apostilled too).

5) Typical timelines and planning

PSA issuance: domestic pickup/dispatch can be quick; international delivery takes longer.
Apostille/Authentication: standard vs. expedited lanes; allow buffer for appointment slots and courier legs.
Receiving authority validity: plan so the CENOMAR arrives fresh within the validity window (commonly 3–6 months).

6) Fees (how to budget—without quoting exact schedules)

PSA CENOMAR/AOM fee per copy + courier (domestic or international).
DFA Apostille/authentication fee (regular/expedite).
Courier to/from DFA if you’re not collecting in person.
Embassy legalization fee (if non-Hague) + possible translation costs.
Notarization/Apostille of your authorization/SPA if executed abroad (so your representative can act).

7) Special scenarios & solutions

A. You were married before (annulled/nullity/void/foreign divorce recognized):

Expect an AOM, not a CENOMAR. Ensure your PSA marriage record bears the final annotation (e.g., nullity decree, recognition of foreign divorce) before requesting; otherwise, the AOM won’t reflect the change and foreign authorities may reject it.

B. Multiple identity variants / name errors:

If PSA has spelling errors or missing entries, pursue the appropriate civil registry correction (administrative or judicial), then request a fresh CENOMAR/AOM.

C. Present residence abroad, no trusted representative:

Order the PSA copy to your overseas address (Route A). Then courier the original back to a professional runner/authorized rep in the Philippines for DFA Apostille, or time your next visit to complete Apostille.

D. Foreign fiancé(e)/spouse requirements differ:

Some countries ask for both a CENOMAR and a PSA birth certificate, each Apostilled, plus a parental advice/consent certification if age thresholds apply. Prepare those documents in one DFA trip.

E. Dual citizens / name with diacritics:

Match the PSA format (ASCII characters). Bring proof of dual citizenship only if the receiving authority asks; Apostille concerns the document origin, not your nationality.

8) Data privacy and safe handling

Your CENOMAR/AOM contains personal data. Share only with the requesting authority.
When emailing scans, redact barcodes/serials only if permitted; some authorities require unredacted scans.
Keep a secure PDF and store the envelope/courier waybill—some offices ask for proof of recent issue.

9) Ready-to-use templates

A. Authorization Letter (for PSA pickup and DFA Apostille)

I, [Your Full Name], born [DD/MM/YYYY], passport [No.], authorize [Representative’s Full Name], ID [Type/No.], to request/receive my PSA CENOMAR/Advisory on Marriages and to submit/collect the same for DFA Apostille on my behalf. This authorization is for use in [Country]. Attached are our valid ID copies. Signature / Date / Email & Phone

B. Special Power of Attorney (overseas execution – short form)

I, [Your Name], presently residing at [Foreign Address], do hereby appoint [Representative] of [PH Address] as my Attorney-in-Fact to: (1) request and receive from PSA my CENOMAR/AOM; (2) submit/collect the document for DFA Apostille/authentication; and (3) perform all acts necessary for these purposes. Signed at [City, Country], on [Date]. (Notarize; if required by receiving offices, have this apostilled or consularized.)

10) One-page checklist (print this)

☐ Confirm the destination country is Hague (Apostille) or non-Hague (DFA + consular legalization)
☐ Choose your route: Overseas delivery from PSA or Philippine representative
☐ Prepare Authorization/SPA + IDs (apostille/consularize if needed)
☐ Request CENOMAR (or AOM if previously married) with exact PSA name data
☐ Receive original; inspect details and dates
☐ Submit to DFA for Apostille/Authentication (regular or expedite)
☐ If non-Hague, proceed to destination embassy for legalization
☐ Keep scans, receipts, and tracking; submit within the validity window

Key takeaways

You can obtain a PSA CENOMAR/AOM from abroad either by international delivery or via a Philippine representative—the latter is usually faster when you also need an Apostille.
For Hague Convention countries, a DFA Apostille is the final authentication step; non-Hague countries still require consular legalization.
Ensure your PSA civil registry entries (name, prior marriages, annotations) are up-to-date before requesting; Apostille authenticates signatures, not content.
Mind the validity period demanded by the receiving authority—apply and apostille close to the target date.
Protect your data and keep authorizations/IDs/courier proofs organized to avoid re-filing and delays.

This guide provides general Philippine legal–procedural information for obtaining and authenticating a CENOMAR from overseas. For complex histories (prior marriages/divorce recognition, court-ordered changes, late registration), address civil registry corrections first to ensure your CENOMAR/AOM reflects your true status.