April 23, 2024

Solemnization of Marriages in the Philippine Embassy

Article 10 of the Family Code of the Philippines states that Marriages between Filipino citizens abroad may be solemnized by a Consul General, Consul, or Vice-Consul of the Republic of the Philippines.
The issuance of the marriage license and the duties of the local civil registrar and of the solemnizing officer with regard to the celebration of marriage shall be performed by said consular official.

The ceremony shall take place within the premises of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Procedure:

1. The contracting parties must submit the application for a marriage license at the Embassy.

Both parties must be physically present to apply and submit the documentary requirements for marriage license application.

Please note that all original PSA documents must be presented during the application for marriage license.

2. Publication of Marriage Application for 10 Consecutive Days

The application for a marriage license shall be posted or published for ten (10) consecutive days before the marriage license is issued.

Marriage license is valid for a period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The license shall automatically be deemed cancelled at the expiration of the said period if the contracting parties have not made use of it.

3. Marriage Solemnization

After the posting/publication of marriage application for 10 days, the Embassy will coordinate with the contracting party(ies) on the date and time of marriage solemnization which is usually scheduled every Friday. 

4. Secure the PSA-authenticated Marriage Certificate at the Philippine Statistics Authority Office in the Philippines or online through www.psaserbilis.com.ph, after four (4) to six (6) months from the date of marriage.

To complete the online transaction, you will need the transmittal details (Reference Number, Despatch Number, Despatch Date and Transmittal Date) which can be obtained from the DFA Manila’s Consular Records Division by emailing oca.crd@dfa.gov.ph.

Documentary Requirements:

1. Marriage License Application Form

Contracting parties must accomplish two (2) copies of Marriage License Application Form.

The forms must be signed in front of a Consular Officer.
APPOINTMENT is NOT necessary and you will be attended on a “first come, first serve” basis. 

2. Birth Certificate

The contracting party must submit three (3) photocopies of their PSA-issued birth certificate with Apostille from the DFA.  Please note that the contracting parties MUST also present their original documents.

3. Philippine Passport

Contracting parties must submit three (3) photocopies of their valid Philippine Passport data page.

Original Philippine passport MUST also be presented.

4. Proof of Filipino Citizenship

The bride and groom must submit three (3) photocopies of their Spanish Residence ID.

If one or both members of the contracting party are dual citizens, they must bring with them three (3) copies of their dual citizenship documents.

5. Photos

Contracting party must submit three (3) passport-sized colored photos (printed on photo paper)

6. Fees

Marriage License: Euro 27.50 (must be paid upon submission of application for marriage license)

Solemnization Fee: Euro 66.00 (must be paid on the day of the wedding at the Embassy)

Report of Marriage: Euro 27.50 (must be paid on the day of the wedding at the Embassy)

Additional Requirements for each Personal Circumstance:

For a contracting party who is single:

PSA-issued Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR)

The bride and groom must each provide one (1) original and three (3) photocopies of their Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) issued by PSA with Apostille from the DFA.

A CENOMAR is valid only for six (6) months from its date of issue.

For a contracting party who is a widow or widower:

Death Certificate

Submit one (1) original and three (3) photocopies.

a. If the spouse is a Filipino citizen: Death Certificate of the previous spouse issued by the PSA with Apostille from the DFA, or

b. If the spouse is a foreign national: Death Certificate of the previous spouse where the death certificate was issued. The death certificate must be apostilled/authenticated by the issuing country and officially translated, if not in English.

For a contracting party who had a previous marriage annulled by court:
Submit one (1) original and three (3) photocopies of:
– PSA Marriage Certificate with annotation on the dissolution of marriage with Apostille from the DFA.
– Certificate of Finality of Decision and Court Order/Decision from the Philippine court with Apostille from the DFA.

For a contracting party whose marriage was dissolved by recognition of foreign divorce of the Philippine Court:
Submit one (1) original and three (3) photocopies of:
– PSA Marriage Certificate with annotation on the dissolution of marriage with Apostille from the DFA.
– Certificate of Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce issued by a competent Philippine court with Apostille from the DFA.

For a contracting party aged 18 to 21 years old:

Affidavit of Parental Consent executed by the parents of the contracting party(ies)

For a contracting party aged 22 to 25 years old:

Affidavit of Parental Advice executed by the parents of the contracting party(ies)

In cases when the parents or one of the parents are in the Philippines or other countries – the Affidavit of Parental Consent/Advice must be apostilled by the DFA or the Philippine Embassy/Consulate where the parent/s is based.

In cases of death of one or both parents – the PSA-issued death certificate of the parent/s with apostille must be submitted. 

The recognized guardian of the contracting party or one member of the contracting party must execute the applicable affidavit in cases when both parents are dead.

If one contracting party is a FOREIGNER, the marriage cannot be solemnized at the Embassy.  Please contact the Spanish Civil Registry for the requirements.

Additional inquiries/questions may be emailed to peconsular@yahoo.com