Document text
Marriage License: Checklist
Couple: [Your names]. Place: [City or municipality]. The Family Code sets the rules below. Your local civil registrar sets the forms, the fee and any extra papers, so ask for its list first.
1. What you need
☐ Each of you: a sworn application.
☐ Each of you: your birth certificate, or baptismal certificate, or certified copies. Ask if your city wants PSA copies.
☐ Married before: death certificate of your spouse, or the decree of annulment, nullity or divorce.
☐ Between 18 and 21: written consent of a parent or guardian.
☐ Between 21 and 25: proof you asked your parents’ advice, and the advice in writing if given.
☐ If consent or advice is needed: a marriage counseling certificate from a priest, imam, minister or accredited counselor.
☐ Certificate of Compliance from your local Family Planning Office. It is free (R.A. 10354).
☐ Foreigner: certificate of legal capacity from your embassy or consulate.
2. The form
– The Code names no form. Quezon City, for example, uses Form 90, in two copies.
– CENOMAR is not in the Family Code, but cities can ask for it. Quezon City does.
3. Your application
– Each of you files your own application with the registrar.
– The registrar posts your notice for 10 straight days on the office board.
4. Where to file
– The local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either of you usually lives.
– Two Filipinos abroad: the Philippine consul.
5. Time limits
– The license comes after the 10-day notice. Quezon City says to return after 11 days.
– No advice given, or unfavorable advice: the license waits 3 more months. No counseling certificate: the same.
– Valid 120 days anywhere in the Philippines, then it lapses. The expiry date is stamped on it.
– Fee: set locally, nothing else may be charged, free for those who swear they cannot pay.
6. Keep it
– A marriage without a license is void, with narrow exceptions such as a couple who lived together for 5 years with no legal bar (Art. 34).
– Under 18 you cannot marry, even with parental consent.
Notice ends on [Notice ends on]
License valid until [License valid until]
Source: Family Code, Arts. 9–21, 27–35; R.A. 10354, Sec. 15; Imbong v. Ochoa, G.R. 204819, lawphil.net; quezoncity.gov.ph (guide of 02.10.2025), for examples only. psa.gov.ph and the City of Manila’s charter did not open. Checked 02.11.2026. Not legal advice.