We just picked up our marriage license yesterday and thought it would be nice to write an entry on how we did it and what are the requirements to do so. The license is only valid for 120 days so this month is the perfect time to apply for it since our big day is two and a half months away.

Here's what we secured:
  • Certified true copies of NSO Birth Certificates
  • Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
  • Affidavit of Parental Advice (notarized)
  • Pre-Marriage Counseling Certificate
  • Community Tax Certificate or Cedula
  • 2 photocopied valid ID's (passport and driver's license)
  • Marriage license application
  • Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage for American Citizens 

How we did it:

  • First, I went to the US Embassy in Manila to get an Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage for American Citizens. It's a self-certification that I am free to marry in the Philippines. 
  • We requested for our NSO birth certificates and CENOMAR through e-Census and paid via BDO Online. Easy as pie! We waited for it to be delivered for 2-3 working days. Others may opt to request for theirs directly at the NSO office. 
  • Since Bani and I are still under 25 years old, we needed to secure an Affidavit of Parental Advice. SO's parents and my mom reside in the US so we asked them to send us the letter and have it printed and notarized here.
  • Before heading to the Marikina City Hall, we dropped by the Barangay Hall for the Cedula or Community Tax Certificate. No questions asked, we just filled up the form and we were good to go! 
  • We went straight to the Local Civil Registry in the City Hall (Window 19) and showed our documents. The officer then gave us a three-page application form and paid P150 for it at the Treasury Office.
  • After filling up the forms, she asked us to pay P300 at her window for the marriage license fee. She handed us a pick-up slip and told us to go to the Marikina City Health Office right away to schedule us for a pre-marriage seminar. 
  • We headed to the cashier and paid P150 for the seminar, and went up to the 5th floor to ask for our slot.
  • On the 5th floor, we entered a room (I forgot which department) and showed the receipt. They made us answer this evaluation form on what to expect at the seminar itself. We returned it and they gave us a slot the following week. 
  • The seminar ran from 8am to 1pm. The volunteers said we were the biggest batch they've encountered that's why it took longer than usual.
  • Since it was big batch, we knew lining up at the Civil Registry window would take forever, we decided to pick up our license two days later. 
  • DONE!

Notes and tips:
  • Dedicate at least 3 days to get all these things done
  • The license is released 10 days after the application
  • City Health Office holds pre-marriage seminars every Tuesday of the week
  • Bring your own black pens when you apply. It saves a lot of time! 
  • Photocopy everything!
  • You can bring your own snacks at the seminar 
  • There will be volunteers during the seminar, selling peanut butter jars so if you want to help out, bring extra cash - P100 for a big jar; P50 for a small one
  • Enjoy the seminar!

Fees:

Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage for American Citizens
₱2,400 / $50
NSO Birth Certificates ₱315 x 2
₱630
Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) ₱415 x 2
₱830
Notarized Affidavit of Parental Advice
₱200
Marriage License Application
₱150
Marriage License Fee
₱300
Community Tax Certificate or Cedula ₱6 x 2
₱12
Pre-Marriage Seminar
₱150
Total
₱4,672 / $97

Having to line up at the NSO office worried me a lot but good thing we could apply for our birth certificates and CENOMAR online. Bani and I are too pre-occupied with our latest documentary film, so I'm really glad everything worked out as I imagined!