Philippines Survival Kit: How to Get Married in the Philippines If I am a Foreigner?
by: JC Bulan
Perfect weather, warm people, historic churches, and tasty food. Nothing beats majestic Philippines as the place to say “I Do” to one’s Pinoy soulmate.
Weddings is a big event, so necessarily paperwork and interviews beforehand so the couple needs to prepare well. So, how can they get started?
There are two types of preparation, the legal and Catholic Church Preparation.
Part I. LEGAL PAPERS
The foreign partner needs to obtain the certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage issued by his/her respective embassies or consulates.
Americans:
For an American, he/she can book an appointment via the US Embassy website. Before going to his/her appointment in the Manila-based office, the US citizen needs to prepare printed documents showing that he/she is free to marry, such as death certificates or divorce decrees. There is a US$50 transaction fee.
British National:
For a British national, the requirements are similar. In addition, the he/she is required to bring his/her passport, and birth certificate. He/she needs to show both original and photocopies of the documents during his/her appointment at the British Embassy in Taguig City. The processing fee is £55 or Php3,850.
Canadians:
Canadians may also get their certification of capacity to get married and single at their
embassy.
CENOMAR FOR THE FILIPINO
During the time that the foreigner is applying for the certificate proving his/her single status, the Filipino partner can already obtain the Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office. This costs Php 450.
Getting the certificates in place is one step away from the marriage license application. Applying for the documents would really take time so it is strongly advised to file for them at least six months before the set wedding date.
Part II. Catholic Wedding at Church
Another pre-requisite to the marriage license application is attendance to Pre-Cana seminars. These seminars are given to couples so that they could get to know each one better. They would also be guided on resolving any outstanding issues and getting a bigger picture of how they will be spending their life together within a family. Couples should really take advantage of this session to plan their exciting future.
Personally I believe it is wise to attend these seminars. Couples about to get married will learn many things from couples who had brave the challenges of marriage. These couples made their love for each other grow stronger. Besides learning, there will be new friends at the side as well.
Pre-Cana Seminars are:
1. EDUCHILD offers the “Before I Do” program. It’s a two-day seminar (consecutive Saturdays) held at St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori parish in Makati City.
The fee is Php2,500 inclusive or lunch and snacks.
“Before I Do” is comprised of six modules: (1) Love is a decision, (2) Communication in love, (3) Marriage as a sacrament, (4) Sex in marriage, (5) Let’s be real, and (6) Wedding and honeymoon.
There are breakout sessions after each module to answer questions. They may also use this time to discuss privately as a couple. Aside from these, there’s also a workshop, case study, and catechesis.
2. CEFAM's Marriage Preparation Workshop is a two-day live-out seminar-workshop. The session covers nine topics: (1) Marriage: A Path to Wholeness, (2) Self-Esteem, (3) Maturity for Marriage, (4) Creative Dialogue and Communication, (5) Authentic Love, (6) Man-Woman Roles, (7) Responsible Parenthood/Family Planning, (8) Sensuality, Sexuality, Spirituality, (9) Marriage as a Social Sacrament.
Couples are asked to give Php6,000 seminar donation in return.
Document Preparation is by clicking this : LINK.
Clothes to Prepare by clicking this: LINK
Easy Wedding in the Philipines this: LINK
Perfect weather, warm people, historic churches, and tasty food. Nothing beats majestic Philippines as the place to say “I Do” to one’s Pinoy soulmate.
Weddings is a big event, so necessarily paperwork and interviews beforehand so the couple needs to prepare well. So, how can they get started?
There are two types of preparation, the legal and Catholic Church Preparation.
Part I. LEGAL PAPERS
The foreign partner needs to obtain the certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage issued by his/her respective embassies or consulates.
Americans:
For an American, he/she can book an appointment via the US Embassy website. Before going to his/her appointment in the Manila-based office, the US citizen needs to prepare printed documents showing that he/she is free to marry, such as death certificates or divorce decrees. There is a US$50 transaction fee.
British National:
For a British national, the requirements are similar. In addition, the he/she is required to bring his/her passport, and birth certificate. He/she needs to show both original and photocopies of the documents during his/her appointment at the British Embassy in Taguig City. The processing fee is £55 or Php3,850.
Canadians:
Canadians may also get their certification of capacity to get married and single at their
embassy.
CENOMAR FOR THE FILIPINO
During the time that the foreigner is applying for the certificate proving his/her single status, the Filipino partner can already obtain the Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office. This costs Php 450.
Getting the certificates in place is one step away from the marriage license application. Applying for the documents would really take time so it is strongly advised to file for them at least six months before the set wedding date.
Part II. Catholic Wedding at Church
Another pre-requisite to the marriage license application is attendance to Pre-Cana seminars. These seminars are given to couples so that they could get to know each one better. They would also be guided on resolving any outstanding issues and getting a bigger picture of how they will be spending their life together within a family. Couples should really take advantage of this session to plan their exciting future.
Personally I believe it is wise to attend these seminars. Couples about to get married will learn many things from couples who had brave the challenges of marriage. These couples made their love for each other grow stronger. Besides learning, there will be new friends at the side as well.
Pre-Cana Seminars are:
1. EDUCHILD offers the “Before I Do” program. It’s a two-day seminar (consecutive Saturdays) held at St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori parish in Makati City.
The fee is Php2,500 inclusive or lunch and snacks.
“Before I Do” is comprised of six modules: (1) Love is a decision, (2) Communication in love, (3) Marriage as a sacrament, (4) Sex in marriage, (5) Let’s be real, and (6) Wedding and honeymoon.
There are breakout sessions after each module to answer questions. They may also use this time to discuss privately as a couple. Aside from these, there’s also a workshop, case study, and catechesis.
2. CEFAM's Marriage Preparation Workshop is a two-day live-out seminar-workshop. The session covers nine topics: (1) Marriage: A Path to Wholeness, (2) Self-Esteem, (3) Maturity for Marriage, (4) Creative Dialogue and Communication, (5) Authentic Love, (6) Man-Woman Roles, (7) Responsible Parenthood/Family Planning, (8) Sensuality, Sexuality, Spirituality, (9) Marriage as a Social Sacrament.
Couples are asked to give Php6,000 seminar donation in return.
Document Preparation is by clicking this : LINK.
Clothes to Prepare by clicking this: LINK
Easy Wedding in the Philipines this: LINK
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