In the Philippine legal system, the Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) is a vital document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It serves as official certification that a person has no record of marriage in the National Indices of Marriages. While the document itself is straightforward, its legal implications regarding validity and expiration are frequently misunderstood.
I. Legal Basis and Purpose
The CENOMAR is primarily required under Article 11 of the Family Code of the Philippines. When a person applies for a marriage license, the local civil registrar must be satisfied that there are no legal impediments to the union. For individuals who have never been married, or those whose previous marriages were legally terminated (annulled or voided), the CENOMAR acts as the primary evidence of "legal capacity" to contract marriage.
Beyond marriage, it is a standard requirement for:
- Visa Applications: Foreign embassies require it to ensure an applicant is not committing bigamy or misrepresenting marital status.
- Employment: Certain government positions or sensitive roles in the private sector.
- Claims and Benefits: Proving "single" status for insurance beneficiaries or government subventions.
II. The "Expiration" Myth vs. Administrative Validity
Technically, a CENOMAR does not have an expiration date under Philippine law. The facts stated in the document—that as of a specific date, no marriage was recorded—remain a historical fact.
However, in practice, the document has a limited shelf life dictated by the requesting agency (e.g., the DFA, foreign embassies, or the Local Civil Registrar).
1. The Six-Month Rule
Most government agencies and foreign consulates enforce a six-month validity period from the date of issuance. The rationale is simple: a person could theoretically marry a day after the certificate is issued. Therefore, to ensure the information is "fresh" and accurate, a recent copy is required.
2. Marriage License Application
Under the Family Code, a marriage license itself is valid for 120 days from the date of issue. However, to obtain that license, the Local Civil Registrar typically demands a CENOMAR issued within the last six months to ensure the applicant's status has not changed recently.
III. CENOMAR vs. Advisory on Marriages
It is important to distinguish between a CENOMAR and an Advisory on Marriages.
- CENOMAR: Issued to persons with zero recorded marriages.
- Advisory on Marriages: Issued to persons who have been married before. It lists all recorded marriages associated with that person. This is required for widowed or annulled individuals to prove that their previous marriage has been legally dissolved or recorded as terminated.
IV. Factors Affecting Validity and Acceptance
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| PSA Security Paper (SECPA) | A CENOMAR must be printed on the latest version of the PSA’s security paper. Old versions (from the NSO era) are generally rejected. |
| Apostille/Authentication | For use abroad, a CENOMAR must be authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) via an Apostille. The Apostille itself often follows the six-month validity rule of the underlying document. |
| Accuracy of Entries | Any discrepancy in the spelling of names, birthdates, or parental information between the CENOMAR and the Birth Certificate renders the document legally questionable for the purpose of a marriage license. |
V. Key Jurisprudential Reminders
While the CENOMAR is strong evidence of single status, Philippine jurisprudence clarifies that it is not absolute proof of the absence of a marriage. If a marriage was performed but the contract was never registered with the Local Civil Registrar or forwarded to the PSA, the CENOMAR will remain "clear." In such cases, the document does not cure a void/bigamous marriage; the legal reality of a prior existing marriage prevails over the clerical absence of a record.
VI. Summary of Usage Timelines
- For Local Marriage: Generally accepted if issued within 6 months.
- For DFA/Passporting: Generally accepted if issued within 6 months to 1 year (depending on specific window requirements).
- For Foreign Visas (US, UK, Canada, etc.): Strictly enforced 6-month window in most cases.