SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE

OVERVIEW

Filipino citizens can get married at the Philippine Embassy. Marriage ceremonies are strictly by appointment only.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The consular officer of the Embassy is authorized by the Philippine government to solemnize marriages between Filipino citizens subject to Philippine laws. The ceremony shall take place within the premises of the Philippine Embassy.

The Embassy may only solemnize  marriages between two Filipino citizens who are both eligible to marry under Philippine law.

The couple must personally appear at the Philippine Embassy to accomplish and sign the Application for Marriage License and submit the documentary requirements.

The ceremony of marriage solemnization will be set on a date after the mandatory 10-day publication of the marriage, following the completion of the submission of documentary requirements at the Embassy.

The couple must designate two witnesses who are both 21 years and older and will attend the ceremony and sign as witnesses in the Contract of Marriage.

HOW TO APPLY

  1. Schedule an Appointment. Appointment is required for this service. Send an email to civilregistration@phembassy-us.org to set your appointment.
  2. Prepare Your Application. Complete the necessary forms and gather required documents before your appointment.
  3. Proceed to the Embassy. On the day of your appointment, go to the Embassy to submit your application for a marriage license and Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. Please bring a pen for filling out and signing forms during your appointment.
  4. Publication of Marriage Application. Your application for a marriage license will be published for 10 consecutive days before the marriage license is issued.
  5. Issuance of LCCM and Marriage License. The Embassy will issue the LCCM and a marriage license valid for 120 days from the date of issuance. 
  6. Get Married at the Embassy. Your marriage will be solemnized at the Embassy on the date and time coordinated with the Civil Registry Section.
  7. Receive Your Report of Marriage. You will receive your Report of Marriage after your marriage is solemnized by the consular officer.

WHAT TO BRING

1. Marriage License Application Form

    • Four (4) copies of the Marriage License Application Form
    • To be signed in front of a consular officer

2. Birth Certificate

    • Original and three (3) photocopies of the birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 
    • If you do not have a birth certificate issued by the PSA, please order online through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph

3. Passport

    • Original and four (4) photocopies of the couple’s Philippine passport data pages 

4. Proof of Filipino citizenship

    • Original and four (4) photocopies of the couple’s proof of current Filipino citizenship, such as permanent resident card, visa, notice of action, work permit, or dual citizenship identification certificate

5. Photographs

    • Two (2) recent color 2″ x 2″ photos, taken within the last six months, with a white background

6. Payment

    • USD 25.00 marriage license fee
    • USD 60.00 solemnization fee
    • USD 25.00 report of marriage fee
    • Accepted payment methods include cash, credit/debit card (4% convenience fee applies), or money order made payable to “Embassy of the Philippines”

 

If Contracting Party is Single

7. Certificate of No Marriage

    • One (1) original and three (3) photocopies for each
    • If you do not have a CENOMAR issued by the PSA, please order online through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph

 

If Contracting Party is Annulled OR Divorced

8. Judicial Decree of Annulment/Divorce

    • Two (2) photocopies of Judicial Decree of Annulment/Absolute Divorce, with Certificate of Finality issued by a Philippine court 

9. Marriage Certificate with Annotation

    • One (1) original and three (3) photocopies of the marriage certificate issued by the PSA

 

If Contracting Party is Widowed

10. Death Certificate

    • One (1) original and three (3) photocopies of the death certificate issued by the PSA or by the deceased foreign spouse’s government
    • If you do not have a death certificate issued by the PSA, please order online through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph

 

If Contracting Party is Age 18-21 Years Old

11. Affidavit of Parental Consent

    • One (1) original notarized affidavit executed by the parents, with apostille

 

If Contracting Party is Age 22-25 Years Old

12. Affidavit of Parental Advice

    • One (1) original notarized affidavit executed by the parents, with apostille

NEXT STEPS

After your marriage is solemnized, you can proceed to take the following actions related to the union:

  1. Use Your Married Name in Your Philippine Passport. You have the option to replace your Philippine passport if you are going to use your married name.
  2. Get a Certified True Copy. You can get a certified true copy of your Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy.
  3. Request Transmittal Details. The Embassy will forward the approved Report of Marriage to Manila to become a permanent record of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Please request the transmittal details (Reference Number, Dispatch Number, Dispatch Date and Transmittal Date) from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Consular Records Division (DFA-CRD) through oca.crd-us@dfa.gov.ph.
  4. Obtain a PSA Copy. After six (6) months from the date of approval of the Report of Marriage, you must request an authenticated copy from the PSA through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph. You will need the transmittal details provided by the DFA to complete the online order.

Most Philippine government agencies will only accept a PSA copy of marriage certificates for public transactions.

FURTHER RESOURCES

Click here to download the forms for solemnization of marriage.

For further inquiries, email us at civilregistration@phembassy-us.org.