Marriage license requirements and the application form
This page is for a couple planning a civil or church wedding in the Philippines who need a marriage license first. At the end you will know where to apply, what each of you files, which papers the law asks for at your age, and how long the whole thing takes.
PhilForms fills the application form; you file it with the local civil registrar yourselves. Your city or municipality may ask for more than the law lists below, so call the local civil registrar (LCR) before you go. For a question about whether you may marry at all, ask a lawyer.
Who needs a license, and where to get it
Any man or woman 18 years or older who is not under a legal impediment may marry (Family Code, article 5). The license is issued by the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either of you habitually resides (Family Code, article 9). A few marriages need no license (for example one at the point of death); the Family Code lists them in its own chapter (Family Code, articles 27 to 34) and they are not covered here.
Filipinos marrying abroad deal with the Philippine consulate, which performs the duties of the local civil registrar (Family Code, article 10).
Each of you files a sworn application
The law says each party files a separate sworn application with the LCR (Family Code, article 11). The printed form, Municipal Form No. 90, has two matching columns for this (Application for Marriage License, Municipal Form No. 90).
Prepare yours on Application for Marriage License. It asks, for each applicant:
- Full name, date of birth and age, place of birth, sex, citizenship, residence, religion and civil status. - If previously married: how the marriage was dissolved, where and when. - The degree of relationship between the two of you, if any. - Your father's and mother's names, citizenship and residence. - The person who gave consent or advice, if one is needed (see below), with relationship, citizenship and residence.
You sign it and swear to it before the civil registrar. The form notes it is exempt from documentary stamp tax.
Papers the law asks for
Who · What · Source; Everyone · Birth certificate (or baptismal certificate). If neither can be produced, the law allows a sworn statement of two witnesses · Family Code, article 12; Previously married · Instead of the birth certificate: the death certificate of the late spouse, or the court decree of annulment, nullity or absolute divorce · Family Code, article 13; Age 18 to 21 · Written consent of father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, given in person at the LCR or by affidavit · Family Code, article 14; Age 21 to 25 · A sworn statement that you asked your parents' advice, with the written advice if any. Without favourable advice the license waits three more months · Family Code, article 15; Whenever consent or advice is needed · A certificate of marriage counselling · Family Code, article 16; Foreign national · A certificate of legal capacity to marry from their embassy or consulate · Family Code, article 21; Everyone · A Certificate of Compliance from the local Family Planning Office, issued free, showing you received information on responsible parenthood and family planning · RA 10354, section 15
How long it takes, and how long it lasts
- The LCR posts a notice with your names for ten consecutive days, and issues the license after that period (Family Code, article 17). - The LCR collects the fees set by law or ordinance before issuing the license; it is free for indigent parties who swear they have no means (Family Code, article 19). Ask your LCR for the local amount. - The license is valid anywhere in the Philippines for 120 days from issue, and lapses on its own if unused (Family Code, article 20).
So apply well ahead of the wedding, but not so early that the license expires before it.
Mistakes that hold up a license
- Applying at a city where neither of you lives. - Leaving out the previous-marriage lines, or bringing a birth certificate when the law asks for the death certificate or court decree instead. - Forgetting parental consent (18 to 21) or the advice statement (21 to 25), which delays the license by months. - Spelling a name differently from the birth certificate. Fix the record first if it is wrong (fix my records pack).
After the wedding, the just married pack lists the SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and BIR updates.
Questions
Saan kukuha ng marriage license?
At the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either of you habitually lives (Family Code, article 9).
Gaano katagal bago lumabas ang marriage license?
The notice is posted for ten consecutive days and the license is issued after that (Family Code, article 17). Parental advice or counselling problems can add three months (articles 15 and 16).
Hanggang kailan valid ang marriage license?
120 days from the date it was issued, anywhere in the Philippines (Family Code, article 20).
Do we need a seminar?
The law requires a Certificate of Compliance from the local Family Planning Office before the license is issued (RA 10354, section 15), and marriage counselling when parental consent or advice applies (Family Code, article 16). Ask your LCR how they schedule it.
Last checked 2026-10-21. Not affiliated with BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG or any government agency.