Everyone has a dream wedding. It’s an important milestone you’ve waited for all your life.

Whether it’s a simple civil wedding or an extravagant church wedding, you can’t wait to celebrate this day with your soulmate and loved ones.

But preparing for your wedding day is not a walk in the park. You must also know how to get married in the Philippines (i.e., the marriage requirements and preparations required to ensure a hassle-free celebration).

There is no need to fret if you’re clueless about how to tie the knot in the Philippines. We have scoured the internet for the best information that every soon-to-be couple should know.

DISCLAIMER: This was written in collaboration with Atty. Kareen Lucero to ensure the accuracy of every legal element discussed in the article. It has been written for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. The use of the information contained herein does not create an attorney-client relationship between the author and the user/reader.

FREE Downloads: Marriage Requirements Philippines (Civil and Church Wedding)

Too lazy or busy to read? Download the checklists below for an overview of the Philippines’ civil and church wedding requirements.

• Civil Wedding Requirements Checklist
• Church Wedding Requirements Checklist

For a detailed discussion of each requirement, scroll down to read the in-depth civil and church wedding guides we’ve prepared.

What Is the Legal Age for Marriage in the Philippines?

The legal age for marriage in the Philippines is 18 years old. 

Art. 5 of the Family Code of the Philippines⁶ provides that any male or female of eighteen years or upwards not possessing any impediment to marry under Sec. 37 and 38 of the Family Code may get married.

Who Can Get Married in the Philippines?

If you plan to marry in the Philippines, you must first know a few legal requirements, especially if you or your spouse is 25 or below. To summarize:

• Marrying parties should be a male and a female, at least 18 years old.
• Parental consent or advice is needed if you or your partner is 25 or below.
• You and your partner must not be related by blood (up to the 4th degree) and should be free of legal impediments, such as being in a previous marriage (unless annulled, widowed, or divorced).

Marriages between the following are incestuous and void from the beginning, whether the relationship between the parties is legitimate or illegitimate:

1. Between ascendants and descendants of any degree; and
2. Between brothers and sisters, whether of the full or half-blood (Art. 37, FC)

The following marriages shall be void from the beginning for reasons of public policy:

1. Between collateral blood relatives, whether legitimate or illegitimate, up to the fourth civil degree;
2. Between step-parents and step-children;
3. Between parents-in-law and children-in-law;
4. Between the adopting parent and the adopted child;
5. Between the surviving spouse of the adopting parent and the adopted child;
6. Between the surviving spouse of the adopted child and the adopter;
7. Between an adopted child and a legitimate child of the adopter;
8. Between adopted children of the same adopter; and
9. Between parties where one, intending to marry the other, killed that other person’s spouse or hir/her spouse. (Art. 38, FC)

After confirming that you are qualified to get married, proceed to the succeeding steps.

Part I. Civil Wedding

A civil wedding in the Philippines (kasal sa huwes) may not give you that royal wedding vibe, but it ticks all the boxes regarding convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Not that a civil wedding should be plain, boring, and second-rate.

With great planning and creativity, you can turn your civil wedding into a great experience you’ll treasure for years.

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to plan a civil wedding in the Philippines like a pro, plus tips to make it extra special without breaking the bank.

Why You Should Have a Civil Wedding in the Philippines

If you’re having seconds thoughts about having a civil wedding in the Philippines, let the following reasons do the convincing:

• Civil wedding grants you the legal rights and privileges of marriage.
• A civil wedding doesn’t require a religious affiliation. Therefore, “non-believers”–including atheists and agnostics–won’t need to participate in uncomfortable ceremonies or be forced to change their beliefs on paper to get the church wedding done.
• A civil wedding is a more straightforward way to tie the knot, especially for mixed marriages or if you are based abroad.  Catholic churches require additional requirements for mixed marriages wherein one party belongs to a different religion. If you live or work overseas, a church wedding in the Philippines also means flying to the country three times to get a license and attend the pre-Cana counseling and interview.
• Planning a civil wedding involves fewer expenses, pressure, and stress so you can focus on what’s truly important. As they always say, some folks spend too much on the wedding and not enough on the marriage. Civil wedding reminds you that the true essence of marriage is working on the marriage itself; everything else is secondary. As a result, you can enjoy this special day with your partner without worrying about trivial stuff like flowers, dress for the bridesmaids, and whatnot. No wonder civil wedding is popular in the Philippines, with 41.6% of marriages contracted through civil rites in 2016⁷.
• Since a civil wedding is a lot cheaper, you can set aside money for your honeymoon or other memorable experiences that matter to you. After all, marriage doesn’t require extravaganza for it to work. As long as your union is made official through a civil wedding, everything else is only done to comply with society’s “standards.”
• If your wife is already visibly pregnant at the wedding, civil marriage can save you from your holier-than-thou relatives’ embarrassment and judgment.
• A civil wedding can be your preparation for a more lavish church wedding. Some couples get married through civil rites while they’re still saving up for their dream fairytale wedding. Others get into a civil marriage to save themselves from the paperwork and other logistical concerns before a church wedding abroad.
• A civil wedding can happen when you’re issued a marriage license. In contrast, it takes longer to prepare for a church wedding since the pre-cana seminar, canonical interview, and marriage banns require at least a month before the wedding date to be completed.
• If you’re one of the unfortunate ones who will end up filing for annulment in the future, civil marriages are cheaper and faster to dissolve than church marriages. The possibility of annulment should be the least of your concerns. But if things don’t work out, remember that civil annulment typically costs ₱150,000 and can be completed within a year in courts specializing in annulment cases. By contrast, church annulment, which is required only if you’re planning to get married in the church again, may require up to 3 years of hearings, consultations, and seminars before it takes effect.
• Lastly, an expensive church wedding doesn’t guarantee a successful marriage. It doesn’t matter where you get married because the vows and your promises to each other are the same. Any marriage, formalized through civil rites or a fancy church wedding, can last if it’s built on genuine love, trust, and commitment to each other.

Civil Wedding Requirements Philippines: An Overview

Although local civil registrars in the country tend to interpret the guidelines differently when issuing a marriage license, there are basic requirements you need to obtain to have a civil wedding. Make sure you have an original copy and photocopies of the following standard civil wedding requirements:

• PSA Birth Certificate of both marrying parties;
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) of both marrying parties;
• Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling Seminar;
• At least two valid IDs of the couple are to be presented on the day of application at the city/municipal hall;
• Marriage license application form;
• Barangay Certification;
• Community Tax Certificate or CEDULA;
• Two pieces of 2 x 2 ID pictures with white background

Additional Civil Wedding Requirements, if 18 – 20

The legal age for marriage in the Philippines is 18.

For applicants between 18 and 20 years old, a  notarized affidavit of parental consent to marriage is required. The father, mother, or guardian (in the order of mention) can either personally appear with a valid ID (original and photocopy) or provide a notarized affidavit.

Additional Civil Wedding Requirements, if 21 – 25

Meanwhile, for applicants between 21 and 25 years old, a notarized affidavit of parental advice to marriage is required. The parents or guardian must show up with a valid ID (original and photocopy) or provide a notarized written account expressing that they know the couple’s intent to marry and any other advice they wish to give.

Forms are usually available at the local civil registrar/city civil registry department, where you’ll apply.

Suppose the parents refuse to provide notarized parental advice. In that case, you may submit a sworn statement telling why they refused, after which the marriage license can only be issued three months after you applied.

Additional Civil Wedding Requirement if Widowed

• Marriage Contract or Report of Marriage to Deceased Spouse issued by the PSA (original with one photocopy)
• Death Certificate of the deceased spouse

Additional Civil Wedding Requirements if Annulled

• Certificate of Finality of Annulment from the Court (1 original and two photocopies)
• Certificate of Registration from the Local Civil Registry for registering the annulment papers (1 original and two photocopies).

Additional Civil Wedding Requirements if Filipino Got Divorced Abroad

• Marriage Contract or Report of Marriage to the Previous Spouse with Annotation on Divorce issued by the PSA (original with one photocopy)
• Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce issued by a Philippine Court and with a Certificate of Finality (original with one photocopy)

Additional Civil Wedding Requirements if Foreign Applicant

• Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (Affidavit or Affirmation of Marital Status for British applicants) from their country’s Embassy or Consular Office in the Philippines with authentication certification from DFA.
• If you’re a US citizen, the Consulate is prohibited by law from certifying your eligibility for marriage in the Philippines. They can only provide an Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry, which can be secured from the US Embassy in Manila by appointment only. If you’re based in Cebu, the US Consular Agency in Lahug, Cebu City, offers notarial services on a walk-in, first-come/first-served basis every day from 8:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
• Naturalization paper (if naturalized)
• Death Certificate of the deceased spouse (if widowed)
• Divorce decree (if divorced)
• Passport bio page
• Photocopy of the immigration entry stamp in the foreigner’s passport. The photocopied page should show the date of your arrival in the Philippines for the marriage license application.

Civil Wedding Requirements Philippines: A More Detailed Discussion

The marriage license is the most important legal document you must secure when preparing for your wedding. After all, without this, you won’t be allowed to have a church or civil wedding.

To apply for the license, both parties must go to the local civil registry of the city, town, or municipality where either one habitually resides.

The marriage license is usually released 10 days after you apply for it.

Local civil registrars tend to interpret the guidelines differently. Depending on where you’ll be applying, it may take either ten consecutive days (including weekends) or ten working days (excluding weekends) before the license is issued to you. However, the law is clear (Article 17 of the Family Code) that the waiting period for the marriage license should be ten consecutive days.

Any applying party can pick up the marriage license from the local civil registry. No delivery option is available as of this writing.

Once issued, the marriage license can be used wherever you want to get married in the Philippines.

However, it is only valid within 120 days of issuance and “shall be deemed automatically canceled at the expiration of said period if the contracting parties have not made use of it.”

Below is a more detailed discussion of the basic civil wedding requirements.

a. The Latest Certified True Copy of Your and Your Partner’s PSA Birth Certificates (Original and Photocopy)

You can obtain this from the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO) office or through an online application via PSA Serbilis.

If there is no birth record, the latest original copy of the baptismal certificate may also be accepted. Foreigners must obtain their birth certificates from their country of origin.

b. Latest Certificate of No Marriage (Cenomar) or Certificate of Singleness (Original and Photocopy)

For couples over 25 years old, the CENOMAR proves that neither of you was married. To secure a copy, please follow the same procedure in ordering a birth certificate. A copy of CENOMAR costs ₱210 (walk-in) or ₱430 (online).

c. Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling, Family Planning, and Responsible Parenthood Seminar

Proceed to your municipality’s Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) office to secure a schedule for your pre-marriage seminar.

Pre-marriage counseling is usually conducted by the Church or the DSWD/Social Services Department for civil marriages. On the other hand, the family planning and responsible parenthood seminar is held at the health department (specifically the Division of Maternal and Child Health) of your municipal/city hall. The family seminar is usually given to young couples aged 18-24 to educate them about responsible parenthood.

In most areas, family planning and marriage counseling seminars are combined into one program and conducted at the same venue. There are also places, like Valenzuela City⁸, where couples must either plant a tree or donate seedlings before undergoing the pre-marriage seminar/orientation/counseling; otherwise, they will not be issued the certificate. Check the schedules; some are conducted daily, while others have a specific weekly schedule.

d. At Least 2 Valid IDs of the Couple (Original and Photocopy)

The valid ID should show proof that one or both of you are resident/s of the city/town/municipality where you’re applying for the marriage license. For example, a valid ID must show an address in Manila if you’re applying in Manila.

Here are some examples of valid IDs in the Philippines:

• UMID
• TIN ID
• Senior Citizen ID
• Postal ID
• Passport
• Company ID
• School ID with current registration card

e. Marriage License Application Form (Issued by the LCR Office)

f. Barangay Certification (Original and Photocopy)

Most municipalities require couples to obtain this certificate from the barangay where they reside. A barangay official usually requires the couple to participate in a tree-planting activity in exchange for the certificate. A brief interview with the couple may also be included.

g. Community Tax Certificates or Cedula (Original and Photocopy)

You can obtain the CEDULA at the same city/municipal hall where you’ll file the marriage license application.

h. Two Pieces of Recent ID Picture With White Background

Marrying parties must also bring recent 2 x 2 pictures with white backgrounds.

How To Get Married in a Civil Ceremony in the Philippines: 11 Steps

Civil marriage is supposed to be cheaper than a church wedding. However, sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you have to make the wedding look cheap and tacky.

To ensure you’ll get an unforgettable civil wedding in the Philippines without breaking the bank, follow the steps laid out in this guide.

1. Pick a Wedding Date

Both parties must agree on a wedding date before the preparation starts.

While it’s possible in some cases to have a rush wedding in two weeks, it doesn’t consider several unforeseen circumstances that might happen along the way.

For this reason, couples are advised to have at least a one-month preparation period before the wedding day.

Before choosing a date, remember the following:

• If a judge officiates your wedding in your municipal or city hall, your schedule will depend on the judge’s availability. If there are multiple judges, your marriage license will go through a lottery to determine which judge will officiate your wedding. So, in this case, you can only choose when you apply for a marriage license, not when the wedding will occur.
• The CENOMAR and birth certificates, two vital requirements for the marriage license, are usually issued 4-6 days (walk-in) or up to 9 days (online) after application.
• The marriage license is issued ten days after submitting the requirements and attending the pre-wedding seminar. Upon receiving your documents, the local civil registry usually posts an announcement about the impending civil union on its bulletin board; if no one opposes it within the 10-day waiting period, the marriage license is issued the next day (i.e., on the 11th day)⁹.
• If the wedding happens on a weekday, inform your guests and the entourage beforehand so they can file their work leaves (if applicable).
• For civil weddings scheduled on weekends, check the availability of the venue and the person officiating the ceremony.
• Municipal halls are usually closed during weekends. Court vacations may happen without prior notice. On the other hand, the mayor or judge may need a little cajoling to convince him/her to officiate the wedding on weekends.
• The month you choose for your wedding may influence your total wedding expenses. The cost of wedding venues may increase in months when most marriages in the Philippines occur. According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)¹⁰, popular dates for weddings in the country (most of which are civil marriages) from 2008 to 2020 were Valentine’s Day (i.e., February 14) and the 18th and 28th of January, April, May, June, and December.

2. Decide on a Budget

Determine early on who will cover the expenses.

In the Philippines, the groom usually shoulders the bulk of the civil wedding cost with the help of his family. This tradition may be interpreted as machismo, especially by outsiders who are used to having the bride’s family pay for the wedding expenses.

Civil wedding cost in the Philippines is relatively cheap. Here are a few more pointers when creating your wedding budget:

• Plan the wedding with your partner to set your priorities right and determine which areas you want to splurge on and which ones to skimp on.
• The wedding reception will take a huge portion of your budget. To save money, have the wedding ceremony and the reception at the same venue.
• Only invite a few close friends and relatives. Civil weddings are supposed to be intimate, which is the reason why it’s cheaper in the first place.
• A judge can officiate your wedding for less than ₱5,000, while a pastor/minister usually charges ₱8,000 or more for the same service (if you’re a church member, this service can be free). However, if you want to get married on the weekend, the municipal hall may not be available, so you must bring the judge to the venue at an additional cost.
• To make your budget planning easier, you can use an online wedding budget calculator or download a free worksheet for Excel. These nifty tools work for both civil and church weddings.

3. Obtain a Marriage License

Couples won’t be allowed to be married anywhere in the Philippines without a marriage license.

How To Get a Marriage License in the Philippines: 5 Steps

Now that you know the basic requirements to bring, here are the steps you need to follow to get the marriage license:

1. Together with your would-be spouse, go to your local civil registry (LCR)/city civil registry department and fill out the marriage license application form.
2. Submit the necessary documents (see the list of requirements above) and the duly accomplished application form to the Civil Registry Department. To avoid hassles and long queues, go to the municipal office/city hall in the morning or after lunch.
3. Proceed to the Cashier or Treasury Department and pay the application, filing, and marriage license fees. Note that higher fees will be charged from applicants with foreign fiances/fiancees.
4. Keep the Original Receipt and wait ten days before you can claim the marriage license. It must be noted that during the 10-day waiting period, a notice of the impending marriage of the applicants will be publicly posted.
5. Return to the local civil registry to claim the marriage license on the release date. Once you have the license, you can get married anywhere in the country within 120 days (4 months) from the issue date. 

4. Know How and Where the Civil Ceremony Will Take Place

Civil weddings in the Philippines are usually held at the Mayor’s office or courtrooms inside the municipal/city hall.

After issuing the marriage license, the local civil registry may assign you to someone–either your city mayor or judge–who will officiate the wedding.

If the mayor is unavailable, you will be asked to proceed to the Hall of Justice to secure a schedule with one of the judges. If there are multiple judges, your marriage license will be assigned to a judge through a scheduled raffle process. In some areas where there’s only one judge, there’s no need for your marriage license to be raffled off.

Due to the process involved, you don’t have the liberty to pick your wedding schedule, as the judge’s availability will determine when the ceremony will occur.

How Much Is the Judge Fee for a Civil Wedding in the Philippines?

As of 2021, a judge’s fee costs ₱700. To secure a schedule at your city’s or municipal hall’s Hall of Justice, you must also pay another ₱300 for the processing fee.

Alternatively, you can find a pastor or minister to officiate the wedding on your chosen date.

Some couples are lucky enough to have one of the Supreme Court justices officiate their civil wedding inside the Supreme Court.

There are two ways to make this possible:

• If you know the Supreme Court justice personally or know someone who works under him/her, you can convince the SC justice to officiate your wedding.
• You may try your luck by calling the SC justice’s office or inquiring at the Public Information Office located on the 3rd Floor, New Supreme Court Building Annex, Padre Faura St., Ermita, 1000 Manila (Telephone (02) 522-5090; 522-5094/Telefax (02) 526-8129/Email [email protected])

If you want a civil wedding on the weekend, during which the municipal hall/city hall is usually closed, you can find another venue like a garden, public park, or a nature reserve.

The advantage is there will be enough space to accommodate more guests. The downside is the judge may charge more.

Fees may vary, but judges officiating weddings outside their offices usually charge ₱8,000 (or more).

Moreover, holding the civil wedding ceremony outside means your guests no longer have to move from one place to another. The wedding ceremony and the reception can happen at the same venue, saving you time and money.

5. Send Out Invitations to Your Guests and Witnesses (Optional)

The best part about having a civil wedding is you don’t have to invite the whole barangay to the reception.

Inviting only a few people to your wedding makes the special occasion much more intimate, not to mention budget-friendly.

The following people must be included in the wedding guest list:

• Two witnesses will be present at the civil ceremony to sign the marriage contract/certificate
• The couple’s immediate families
• The couple’s closest friends

Especially if the civil wedding takes place on a weekday, you must send out wedding invitations at least two months in advance so your potential guests/witnesses can file for work leaves.

To cut wedding costs, search for DIY wedding invitation ideas on YouTube/Pinterest or use one of these printable wedding invitation templates.

6. Plan Your Wedding Reception

In any wedding, the reception always takes up most of the expenses. Hence, you should pay extra attention when making your wedding budget (see Step 2).

If you’re short on cash, you can avail of the affordable packages offered by restaurants and let them take care of everything(assuming you have a limited number of guests).

Meanwhile, if you prefer to hold the reception outdoors in a garden or at your residence, catering packages are offered for as low as ₱30,000. Some even allow payment installments.

The package covers the food (good for at least 100 people), servers, and basic wedding decorations.

It doesn’t include the cost of transporting your guests from the city/municipal hall to the wedding reception. For this reason, I suggest having the ceremony and reception held in one venue to save time and money.

As for the wedding cake, there are customized creations you can order from your local bakeshop or from a close friend/relative who knows how to bake. Wedding cakes may cost up to ₱5,000 or more depending on the size and elaborate design.

If you want to impress your guests with add-ons like a host/emcee, live band, souvenirs, and sound system, prepare to stretch your wedding budget slightly.

There are cheap wedding souvenirs you can buy in Divisoria. You can also consider budget-friendly yet ingenious gifts to impress your guests, like essential oil diffusers or as simple as cupcakes with creative wedding designs.

Souvenirs are tokens of appreciation for the special people who have found time in their busy lives to join you on this special occasion.

7. Write Your Wedding Vows

Wedding vows are sacred promises couples say to each other during the ring ceremony.

Before the civil wedding, you will be asked to write your wedding vows. The officiant may provide you with a template. You can also search for samples online¹¹ and find inspiration from them.

There’s no language requirement. You can write in Tagalog, English, or any language you like.

Keep the message short, sweet, and sincere. Writing the wedding vow is your chance to express how invested and committed you are in the relationship.

8. Shop for Wedding Rings

The wedding rings symbolize your promise to be with each other through thick and thin.

There’s no written rule on how much a wedding ring should be. It all boils down to your budget and preference.

While some believe it should be worth at least a month’s salary, other frugal couples are happy to settle with affordable rings sold in malls.

If you haven’t bought wedding rings yet, here are a few tips and reminders:

• Remember, you’re getting married through civil rites. A simple wedding ring without Swarovski crystals will do. You can save the more expensive diamond rings for your dream church wedding (in case you plan to have one).
• Before trooping to jewelry stores, ask your parents and grandparents if they have kept heirloom wedding rings. Pieces of jewelry that have passed on from one generation to the next have sentimental value and allow you to save money for more important aspects of the wedding.
• You can have a wedding ring with any budget. From as low as ₱500 to ₱100,000 and up, there’s a ring available for everyone. The larger the central diamond, or the higher the carat of the gold, the more expensive the wedding ring would be.
• Do your research and find inspiration online to know what ring you prefer. If possible, buy a wedding ring from a trusted jeweler, which allows its buyers to watch the rings they’ve ordered being made.
• Ongpin Street in Binondo is known for its low-cost wedding rings. Some stores make rings that may be too old-fashioned for your taste, so shop around. Ongpin wedding rings cost ₱5,000 and higher, depending on the size and design. Jewelers also offer free cleaning plus free guava candies to boot.

9. Choose Your Wedding Attire

Unlike in church weddings, you don’t have to dress to impress when having a simple civil marriage.

For grooms, polo shirts or your old formal suit should be enough. Meanwhile, the bride can borrow a wedding gown or buy a ready-made civil wedding dress. You can buy the latter in Divisoria or online shopping sites like Shopee for as low as ₱1,200 (there are even dresses you can buy for less than ₱1000¹²!).

Again, you don’t have to wear a wedding dress with elaborate designs. After all, wedding outfits should be the least of your priorities and can be purchased once the rest of the wedding details have been taken care of.

10. Hire a Wedding Photographer (Optional)

While most couples include wedding photography in the miscellaneous or optional wedding expenses, it shouldn’t be that way, considering how precious the event is.

Whether through a civil union or church rites, weddings are an essential milestone worth capturing in photographs.

In the case of civil weddings, comprehensive photo, and video coverage aren’t necessary.

With as little as ₱3,000, you can avail of basic photo coverage where a photographer will be at the wedding venue and reception to capture special moments.

The package may include a formal photo of the couple plus 100 to 150 high-resolution photos taken at the event.

If you want to pay for cheaper services, look for students or budding photographers who want to expand their portfolios. Tap your existing network to get referrals to these affordable photographers.

11. Enjoy the Civil Wedding Program

On your special day, avoid stressing over the small stuff. Just focus on your partner and treasure every moment.

After all, your civil wedding signifies that you’ve finally found the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with.

Since this is not a traditional church wedding with hundreds of guests, you don’t need a wedding planner or coordinator to manage every detail.

The program coordinator will handle everything if you have a complete wedding package. Otherwise, you can ask for assistance from your close friends and relatives to organize the program while preparing for the event.

Here’s an example of a civil wedding program that eliminates all the trivial stuff usually present in church weddings:

Part I: The wedding ceremony

• Exchange of vows and ring ceremony
• The signing of the marriage contract
• Presentation of the newlyweds
• Bridal kiss

Part II: Welcoming of guests by the emcee/host at the wedding reception

• Acknowledgments of the following: Judge, primary sponsors (if applicable), and parents
• Acknowledgment of the newlyweds
• Pictorials with the VIPs: Judge, primary sponsors (if applicable), parents, and family.
• Pictorials (per table / per group)

Part III: Wedding Traditions

• Serving of food/buffet
• Selection and introduction of well-wishers
• Cake-cutting
• Toast to the bride and groom
• Removal of the garter
• Garter game
• Bouquet toss
• Words from parents
• Speech from the newlyweds
• Closing remarks by the emcee
• Distribution of tokens/souvenirs

As the bride and groom, let your minds off the program and focus on each other.

You’ve prepared well and have been through a lot to reach this point.

A civil wedding celebrates love and commitment regardless of religious beliefs, race, or skin color. Savor every moment.

Congratulations and best wishes!

Part II. Church Wedding

Every Filipina bride dreams of tying the knot in the church and wearing that long, elegant wedding dress.

And because most Filipinos are Catholics, it’s no wonder most prefer to marry in popular churches like Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, etc.

Note that a church wedding in the Philippines is fundamentally not expensive. You can get married at a Catholic church with a small budget, which already covers the stipend for the officiating priest, choir, floral decoration of the altar, electricity, decoration on the middle aisle with carpet, etc. Neither the bride nor the bridesmaids must wear lavish gowns, as the church only requires a formal white dress.

In other words, it’s up to the couples whether to get married in an expensive church like the Manila Cathedral, provide an expensive reception, or choose an expensive destination for their honeymoon.

It’s not the Catholic church but the couples who have made the wedding ceremony expensive in the Philippines.

Once you’ve decided to get married in a church wedding, there are specific requirements aside from the marriage license that you must fulfill a few months (i.e., six months to at least two months) before the wedding date. This is because the documents listed below have different validity periods, and you must ensure they don’t expire before your scheduled wedding date.

READ: Wedding Checklist: Your Complete Guide to Philippine Church Wedding

Church Wedding Requirements Philippines: An Overview

Here are the BASIC requirements you need to complete to get married in a Catholic church in the Philippines:

• Marriage License
• Baptismal and Confirmation (“Kumpil”) Certificates
• PSA Birth Certificates
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
• Canonical Interview
• Pre-Cana/Marriage Preparation Seminar
• Marriage Banns
• List of Principal Sponsors and Entourage Members
• Wedding Permit (if applicable)
• Confession (if applicable)
• 2 x 2 ID-size pictures

Additional Catholic Church Wedding Requirements if Annulled

For those previously married in a Catholic church, you must also secure an annulment clearance paper from your Archdiocese.

This annulment process declares the previous church wedding null and void. It’s different from the civil rites annulment process that legally changes the status of your previous marriage as invalid.

Additional Catholic Church Wedding Requirements if Mixed Marriage

For “mixed marriages” where the other party is a non-Catholic, you must get Clearance from the Archdiocesan Chancery Office at the Archbishop’s Office, 121 Arzobispo St., Intramuros, Manila.

To obtain this document, the non-Catholic bride or groom must submit a Letter of Approval from the Pastor of the non-Catholic sect that not only approves the marriage but also declares the person has never been married.

For foreigners, the Legal Capacity to be Married issued by the embassy and Dispensation of Approval from the Parish Priest where the person currently resides are required.

For a complete list of requirements, contact the Archbishop’s Office directly.

Additional Catholic Church Wedding Requirements if Widowed

For widow or widower, bring a copy of the deceased spouse’s death certificate and present it to the parish church.

Additional Catholic Church Wedding Requirement if Renewal of Vow

For renewal of vows, present a copy of the Catholic Marriage Contract. 

Church Wedding Requirements Philippines: A More Detailed Discussion

a. Marriage License

The document must be valid and not expired. Whether you’re getting married in a church or civil rites, the requirements and procedures for obtaining a marriage license are the same (see the civil wedding guide above to learn more about how to obtain the marriage license). If you previously married in a civil wedding, you must submit a registered marriage contract instead.

b. Baptismal and Confirmation (“Kumpil”) Certificates (6 Months Validity)

Baptism and confirmation (“kumpil”) are two of the seven sacraments you must receive before marriage in a Catholic church in the Philippines.

You can obtain the certificates from the parish where you received these sacraments.

The copies that you’ll submit must be original and with an annotation “For marriage purposes only.” Depending on the church, you may be required to submit these upon application or 2 – 3 months before your wedding date.

Some parishes can’t issue these documents instantly as they don’t have digital records of these files yet. Make sure to process these papers as early as possible.

If you’ve never been confirmed in the parish with jurisdiction over where you live and plan to get married in a church outside of it, the latter will require you to obtain a “Certificate of No Record” from your parish. This certificate, which proves you’ve never been confirmed yet, must be annotated with “For marriage purposes only.”

Submit the certificate to the church that will officiate your wedding. Per the current rule, those who have never been confirmed will receive confirmation from the church where the wedding will occur. If you will get married in your parish church, then the “Certificate of No Record” is not necessary.

c. Latest Copy of PSA Birth Certificate and Certificate of No Record of Marriage (CENOMAR)

You can secure these documents either online (recommended for those based abroad) or by going to the PSA (formerly NSO) office.

Most churches accept birth certificates as long as they are within six months from the date of issuance.

d. Canonical Interview

This is when you and your partner meet your church’s parish priest (or his assistant).

Request the church coordinator to have the interview scheduled 1 to 2 months before your wedding.

The parish may also send you a list of questions before the interview to give you more time to prepare. During the interview, the priest will explore your decision to get married by asking questions about your family background, how long you have known each other, and so forth.

e. Pre-Cana/Marriage Preparation Seminar

Because marriage is a lifelong commitment, this seminar is provided to help couples learn more about each other, resolve any issues before getting married, and gain insights into their future life together.

Topics may include parenting, sexuality, and family planning, among others. Although most parish churches conduct the seminar monthly, you should still ask the church coordinator about the schedules to ensure you won’t miss it.

Some churches also recognize other independent organizations like Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE), Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM), and Discovery Weekend Philippines (DW), which provide seminars or retreats for couples. You must submit attendance certificates as proof if you attend seminars from any of these.

If you or your partner is currently based abroad, a certificate of attendance from the local parish is enough.

Update: Due to the changes brought about by the pandemic, Pre-Cana or marriage preparation seminars are also now offered online. For more information, please inquire at your church.

f. Marriage Banns

These are written wedding announcements that will be posted on the bulletin boards of the couple’s respective parishes.

To obtain the marriage banns, both the bride and groom must know the specific name of their respective parish priest and the address of their parochial church.

After receiving this information, the wedding church will prepare a letter requesting the marriage banns.

The banns will be posted in the couple’s parishes for three consecutive weeks, which explains why you must complete the wedding requirements at least a month before the event.

Afterward, you can retrieve the letter from the parish office with a reply indicating that no impediments exist and that the wedding can push through. You will then submit this signed letter to the church where the wedding will occur.

g. List of Principal Sponsors and Entourage Members (a.k.a. “Ninongs” and “Ninangs”)

The copy of the wedding invitation along with the official list of entourage members should be submitted to the parish church where you’ll get married a week before your wedding date.

Ask the church for any restrictions or additional requirements before finalizing the list. Some churches only allow a maximum number of principal sponsors, and you may get fined if you go overboard.

The Manila Cathedral, for example, only allows a maximum of eight pairs of sponsors to make sure the wedding ceremony won’t exceed the allotted time.

Note that the names of the principal sponsors are important as they will be included in the marriage license.

h. Wedding or Marriage Permit

Also known as the Certificate of Freedom to Marry, this document may only be required for those abroad.

While CENOMAR is required before you can obtain a marriage license, the Certificate of Freedom to Marry is a requirement of the church itself.

You need to obtain it from the parish where you usually attend. Requirements and fees may vary from one parish to another, so contact your church abroad directly.

i. Confession

Some churches require couples to attend confession days before the wedding. Through this event, they will be forgiven and receive the most out of the sacrament.

j. 2 x 2 ID Size Pictures

You and your future spouse must have several copies as you will need them when applying for a marriage license and when processing other church requirements like Marriage Banns.

k. Other Requirements

• List of songs, if applicable.
• Permits for photographers and videographers, if applicable.

Note: If you have other questions, please contact your city hall or church directly. Know the exact date and time when all the requirements will be released so you can plan your wedding hassle-free.

Secret Marriage Requirements Philippines: Can You Really Get Married Secretly?

Is secret marriage possible in the Philippines? If secret marriage means the parties contracted marriage without anyone knowing, then secret marriage is not possible and does not apply in the Philippines.

This is because under Art. 17 of the Family Code, the local civil registry, where the parties are applying for a marriage license, is required to prepare a notice and post the same for ten consecutive days on a bulletin board outside the office located in a conspicuous place within the building and accessible to the general public. The notice contains the applicants’ names, addresses, and other data. 

Likewise, during the marriage ceremony, your declaration that you take each other as husband and wife must be witnessed by at least two persons of legal age.  

However, if secret marriage means you do not want to let your family and friends know you are getting married, then it might be possible if you live in a big city where no one knows you or each other or even your neighbors.

Tips and Warnings

• Never use up all your savings or, worse, go into debt for your wedding. Although the ceremony is an important milestone, you don’t want to spend the succeeding days or weeks arguing over money issues because you splurged everything on the wedding. If you think your wedding budget isn’t enough, don’t hesitate to ask a few closest friends or relatives to “sponsor” parts of your wedding ceremony, like flowers, venue, cake, or a live band. They will gladly volunteer if it happens to be within their area of expertise or something their business revolves around. All you need to do is ask nicely and ensure you never appear pushy. Another strategy to prevent your wedding from becoming a financial nightmare is having a gift registry. It will help ensure your guests’ gifts align with your current needs. Alternatively, in your wedding invitation, you can clearly state what you need¹³. For instance, don’t hesitate to say if you prefer cash gifts to support your planned migration to another country. Your guests, who would have otherwise been clueless about what to give, will thank you later.
• Be firm regarding the number of guests invited to your wedding. If you follow the advice in the article above about deciding on a budget with your would-be spouse, you will come up with a specific number of guests. Don’t let your immediate and extended families force you to expand your guest list to accommodate distant relatives or friends of friends; if they insist, let them know that it’s the venue’s capacity, not you, that has the final say in how many people can be invited. Ensure you and your partner agree on who gets invited and how many relatives and friends will make the cut. Send a “Save the Date” in advance with a note that if you don’t hear from them, you’ll assume they won’t be able to make it¹⁴. This way, you can have an accurate headcount, know who won’t be available, and send new invitations to those who didn’t make it to the initial guest list. Lastly, consider including table cards (with marks on where they will be seated and how many seats are reserved for the guest) in your invitations so the people who make it to the final guest list will be discouraged from bringing uninvited guests. However, designate “emergency” tables to accommodate those extra guests who insist on coming.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Bacungan, V. (2018) House approves bill recognizing civil effects of church annulment, CNN Philippines. Available at: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/01/31/house-approve-bill-church-annulment.html (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
   
2. Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). Metro Manila, Philippines.
3. People of the Philippines vs. Bustamante, G.R. No. 11598 (Supreme Court of the Philippines 1959).
4. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Executive Order No. 209: The Family Code of the Philippines (1987). Manila.
5. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2021). Memorandum Circular No. 2021-04: Local or Philippine Notarization of Affidavits in lieu of Certificates of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. Quezon City, Philippines.
6. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Executive Order No. 209: The Family Code of the Philippines (1987). Manila.
7. Marriage in the Philippines, 2016. (2018). Retrieved 25 July 2020, from https://psa.gov.ph/content/marriage-philippines-2016
8. Ong, G. (2023, April 9). Valenzuela couples required to plant trees before marriage. Philippine Star.
9. Mga kailangang gawin kapag magpapakasal (2023) ABS-CBN News. Available at: https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/26/23/mga-kailangang-gawin-kapag-magpapakasal (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
10. Valentine’s Day most popular wedding date among Filipino couples: PSA (2023) ABS-CBN News. Available at: https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/14/23/valentines-day-most-popular-wedding-date-among-pinoys (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
11. Cariaga, K. (2015) 10 Wedding vows that wowed, GMA Entertainment. Available at: https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/community/1694/10-wedding-vows-that-wowed/story (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
12. Nopuente, I. (2023) We Found Affordable And Chic Dresses You Can Wear At Your Civil Wedding, Cosmopolitan Philippines. Available at: https://www.cosmo.ph/style/dresses-civil-weddings-a1014-20230517 (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
13. Ng-Lim, A. (2023) Say yes to wedding bells, not to wedding bills, ABS-CBN News. Available at: https://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/business/06/19/23/say-yes-to-wedding-bells-not-to-wedding-bills (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
14. Ng-Lim, A. (2023a) How to pick wedding guests and avoid wedding pests, ABS-CBN News. Available at: https://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/business/06/19/23/say-yes-to-wedding-bells-not-to-wedding-bills (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
15. Bacungan, V. (2018) House approves bill recognizing civil effects of church annulment, CNN Philippines. Available at: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/01/31/house-approve-bill-church-annulment.html (Accessed: 21 July 2023).
    
16. Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). Metro Manila, Philippines.
17. People of the Philippines vs. Bustamante, G.R. No. 11598 (Supreme Court of the Philippines 1959).
18. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Executive Order No. 209: The Family Code of the Philippines (1987). Manila.
19. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2021). Memorandum Circular No. 2021-04: Local or Philippine Notarization of Affidavits in lieu of Certificates of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. Quezon City, Philippines.