How to plan a civil wedding in the Philippines

• PSA-issued birth certificate for each partner
• Valid government ID (passport, driver's licence, PhilID)
• CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) from the PSA — valid for 6 months
• Barangay clearance from your place of residence
• Parental consent (18–20) or parental advice (21–24), if applicable
• Certificate of Attendance for a pre-marriage counselling seminar (issued by your LCR or DSWD)
• 1×1 ID photos (usually 2 per partner)
• For foreign nationals: Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from their embassy

Both partners appear in person at the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) of the city or municipality where either of you lives. You'll fill out the marriage licence application, submit the documents above, and pay the filing fee (usually ₱100–₱300 depending on the LGU).

After filing, there is a mandatory 10-day posting period. If no objection is raised, the licence is released and remains valid for 120 days anywhere in the Philippines.

Any of the following can solemnise a civil wedding:

• City or municipal mayor (within their jurisdiction)
• Judge of any court (within their court's jurisdiction)
• Consul-general, consul or vice-consul (for Filipinos abroad)

Schedule the ceremony inside the 120-day licence window. Some mayors host group ceremonies on set dates for free — worth asking about at your LGU.

You'll need two witnesses of legal age to sign the marriage certificate. The ceremony is short — the officiant reads the marriage vows, you exchange consent, and everyone signs. Bring the original marriage licence, valid IDs, and your witnesses.

The officiant sends the signed marriage certificate to the LCR, which forwards it to the PSA. Your PSA-authenticated marriage certificate is usually available 2–4 months later and is what you'll use for passports, bank accounts, visas, and everything official.