LIST OF DOCUMENTS NEEDED BEFORE THE WEDDING

BY: JOHN AND BENZ RANA OF WEDDINGS AT WORK

FROM: METRO WEDDINGS DIRECTORY 2008

1.                  MARRIAGE LICENSE

This is a requirement for either a Civil or Church wedding to be held in the Philippines. This application form for a marriage license must be secured atr the Local Civil Registrar from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or the groom habitually resides. The personal appearance of those getting married is required in applying for a marriage license.

The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.

2.                  BIRTH CERTIFICATE

This must be a certified true copy required of each of the contracting parties with the respective registry number. This document is issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). You can reach them via email through: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

3.                  PARENTS’ CONSENT (FOR 18-21 YEARS OLD) OR PARENT’S ADVICE (FOR 21-25 YEARS OLD)

Under Philippine law, the legal age for marriage is 18. If the contracting parties are between the ages 18 to 21, they must present written consent to the marriage from their father, mother or legal guardian. While any contracting party between the age of 22 and 25 must present written parental advice, i.e. a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple’s intent to marry.

4.                  CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

Couples must show proof that they attended a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.

FOR FOREIGNERS:

            Philippine law requires a citizen or subject of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. It is issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, prior to the issuance of a marriage license in the Philippines. This serves as a clearance of permit from the consul of the subject’s civil status and his/her eligibility for marriage.