Hello. First of all, I am quite amazed that this blog is still alive after so many years. From my last blog, I said I was 22 back then, now I'm already 32! Imagine that.
So at 32, many things have already changed. First, my relationship status. I am now a legally married woman and is lucky enough to spend my whole life with my best friend. We became officially in a relationship April of 2018 and he proposed to me last August 2018. We both wanted to have a church wedding but I suppose we got too excited and that is why I am now wearing a wedding ring. We had our civil wedding this March 2019 and I am really glad that we did (Church wedding scheduled this year too).
Some friends asked me how did we pull it off and all. Basically, all I did was to research all the things we need to do for us to be married. First on the list: marriage license.
How to apply for a marriage license in the Philippines:
My boyfriend (now husband) lives in Quezon City while I am currently assigned (work assignment) in Northern Luzon. We decided to apply for a marriage license in QC since it was his place of residence for over a year. Some cities would require you to present a proof of residence during the application. But in Quezon City, these were the requirements that we submitted to get a license:
1. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR).
My then fiance and I are busy with work so I got our CENOMAR from PSA Serbilis website. Each CENOMAR costs 430php. It was delivered to us after one week.
2. Birth Certificate from PSA (formerly NSO).
We also got our authenticated copy of our birth certificates from the PSA Serbilis website at 330php. If you have the time and energy to visit the PSA local office in your area, feel free to do so because it will cost you less to get these documents from PSA.
3. 2 Valid IDs (goverment issued photo IDs) such as passport, driver's licence, UMID, Voter's ID etc.
4. Cedula/Tax Certificate (which we got from the city hall on the same day we applied for the license)
5. Marriage License application form (from your civil registry office)
6. Attendance to a Family Planning seminar
7. Personal appearance of both parties
8. 1x1 ID picture (both parties, not sure how many did I submit but I remember I brought 2 copies)
We went to the Civil Registrar's Office in Quezon City early, around 8 AM and was directed to Window 11/12. The in-charge checked all our documents and instructed us to attend the family planning seminar in the afternoon to complete our application requirements. He gave us the marriage license application form (4 copies to be filled up, using a pen with black ink) for a fee of 120 or 150 pesos (forgot exactly how much).
The family planning seminar was held in another location so we went there early to make sure that we can still be accommodated (as the slots were said to be limited). The seminar lasted for 2 hours and the discussion focused on different methods of contraception and roles of a husband/wife. Over 20 couples were there including Mike and I. After receiving our certificate of attendance, we went back to the Civil Registrar's office, got the application forms notarized (just at the back of the building) and submitted the forms together with the other requirements. After that we were instructed to come back after 10 working days for the release of the marriage license.
Unfortunately, we were not able to come back after the 10 day waiting period. I went after a month thinking that the 120 days validity of the marriage license already started but instead it only began on the day the marriage license was released to me.
What I liked about our experience in Quezon City is that the staff were courteous and accommodating. They answered all our questions and gave us clear directions (where to go, what to do etc). I also appreciated that they no longer asked for secondary/additional requirements (unlike other cities that I've read about). In fact, they did not even ask if any of us were residents of the city nor asked for a proof of residence.
We accomplished the marriage license application in one day but getting the above mentioned requirements might take a few days or so.
In the next post, I will write about our Civil Wedding ceremony.
Thanks for visiting and good luck in getting your marriage license!
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