Part 4: License to Marry

Q: Where do I get it, is it where I live or where my future husband lives? Or where the church is located?
A : You can get your license either from the bride's town or the groom's town.

Q: What is the process of getting your marriage license?
A : This is one tricky question, as it varies from which city/town you plan to get it. But let's feature the cities frequently asked for, Manila, Makati and Quezon City.

In Makati :
Papers to bring:
1. Certified Copy of Birth/Baptismal Certificate - need to bring original
2. Residence Certificates
3. Parental Advice/Consent (depending on age)
4. Pre-Marriage Counselling (from DSWD) - this is done in the 7th floor, if I am not mistaken.
5. Barangay Certificate (for Makati residents)
6. Legal Capacity to Marry issued by the Embassy (if one of the parties is a foreigner)
7. Photocopy of the Foreigner's passport
8. Cenomar from NSO - original copy

If applicable - divorce/annulment papers, death certificate if widow/widower.
Bring original and photocopies of all these documents as they require these.

If you have completed the seminar in the church where you are going to get married, you can provide a copy of this as well so that your pre-marriage counselling wont be too long.

Both parties have to be present as well.

In Quezon City (from Quezon City website)

Application for Marriage License and Registration of Certificate of Marriage (Windows 6 and 10)

Contact Information:
City Civil Registry Office
Marriage and Registration Division
929-7813

Requirements (for Marriage License) – Window 10:

• Birth or Baptismal Certificates of both applicants. If widowed, death certificate of demise spouse, if previous marriage was annulled, copy of Court Decision and Absolute Decree of Finality from the Court
• Community Tax Certificates of both applicants, male and female
• One (1) ID Photo (colored or black and white) of each applicant, male and female
• Certificate of Family Planning and Marriage Counseling

Requirements (If applicant is a foreigner):

• Valid Passport
• Certificate of legal capacity to marry issued by their respective diplomatic or consular officials
• If divorced, copy of Final Decree of Absolute Divorce
• Certificate of Family Planning and Marriage Counseling and Responsible Parenthood

Marriageable Age: 18 years old (male or female)

• Persons below 21 years old need parental consent
• Persons 21 years old and below 25 years old need advice from parents

In Manila
1. Get NSO-copies of you and your h2b's Birth Certificate ans CENOMARs (you can get these by applying personally, by phone, or online sa NSO)
2. Photocopy your Valid IDs with Manila address
3. Go to City Hall either 8:00 a.m. or 12:00 noon (so you can still attend the seminars held daily from 9-11 AM and 1:30-3:30 PM)
4. Get your application form from the counter (NOTE: do not sign the bottom because this should be signed in front of the City hall witness)
5. Pay the corresponding fee at the cashier
6. Submit your receipt and other requirements at the counter where you got your application form
7. Attend the seminar
8. Go back to the first counter to submit the forms you got from your seminar
9. Wait until the front counter calls you & your h2b to sign the application form
10. Wait for 10 working days for you to be able to pick up your license

Next, Part 5: Where can we have our prenups within Metro Manila?