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What is a Civil Wedding?
A civil wedding is a marriage performed, recorded, and recognized by a government official. When compared to a traditional wedding, a civil wedding is often a smaller, simpler, and more straightforward affair.
There are a lot of benefits to having a civil wedding. For one, it grants you the legal rights and privileges of marriage without a religious affiliation, making it perfect for non-believers or couples with different faiths. Aside from that, it is also much cheaper than a traditional wedding.
Think a civil wedding is right for you and your partner? Read on to find out more!
Civil Wedding Requirements
Having a civil wedding is quick and easy! Here are the requirements for a civil wedding in the Philippines.
Basic Requirements
1.) At least two valid I.D.s
Not sure what I.D. to bring? Common examples are driver’s licenses and passports. However, for a full list of valid primary and secondary I.D.s recognized by the Philippine government, click here!
2.) PSA Birth Certificate
Your birth certificate has all the pertinent info needed to confirm your identity, such as your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names. To request for your PSA Birth Certificate click this link or visit any Serbilis Service Center near you.
3.) Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
This requirement certifies that the individuals about to be married have not been married previously and therefore are not a part of the marriage database of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
4.) Marriage License Application Form
The Marriage License Application Form differs per town, so be sure to visit the civil registrar of your local municipality. You will need to fill up four copies of this form, as aside from a copy you keep for yourself, the other accomplished forms will be distributed to the registrant, the Office of the Civil Registrar-General, and the solemnizing office.
5.) Community Tax Certificate
Also known as a Cedula, this document will be issued to you after you pay a community tax, either to the barangay or to the city. Payment will be based on your income. The higher your income, the higher your payment will be. Specifically, the breakdown is as follows: PHP 5.00 (basic) + PHP 1.00 for every PHP 1000 gross income.
6.) Barangay Certificate
A Barangay Certificate serves as proof that you are living in a certain barangay. To get this document, you will need:
- A form with a detailed description of why you need a Barangay Certificate.
- Proof of current address (utility bills, etc.)
- Payment of a clearance fee, which may range from PHP 50 – PHP 150 depending on where you live.
- 1×1 picture
Many people find ID pictures unflattering. If you find yourself in the same predicament, read this for 8 tips for a picture-perfect smile!
Additional Requirements
- If you and/or your partner are 25 years old or below: Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling
- If you and/or your partner are between 18-21 years old: Parental Consent and Parents’ Personal Appearance
- If you and/or your partner are between 22-25 years old: Parental Advice
- If you and/or your partner are widowed: Death Certificate of Deceased Spouse
- If you and/or your partner are annulled: Certificate of Finality of Annulment
- If you or your partner is a foreigner:
- Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry/Sworn Declaration from your country’s Consular Office or Embassy in the Philippines authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Photocopy of immigration stamp in the foreigner’s passport
- Passport
Common Civil Wedding Costs
Non-negotiables
These are the fees that you will absolutely have to pay if you choose to have a civil wedding.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
| Required Basic Documents | At least PHP 1000 | PSA Birth Certificate: PHP 330
Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR): PHP 430 Marriage License Application Form: PHP 150 Community Tax Certificate/Cedula: PHP 5.00 (basic) + PHP 1.00 per PHP 1000 gross income Barangay Certificate: PHP 50 – 150 |
| Judge Service Fee | At least PHP 0, PHP 1,000 (in city hall), or PHP 8,000 (outside city hall) | The judge service fee will depend on whether you hold your civil wedding on a weekday or a weekend, and where your ceremony will be held. If you want to cut costs, the mayor’s fee for a civil wedding in the Philippines is usually free of charge if you plan to get married at the city hall! |
Negotiables
The beauty of a civil wedding is that you can choose which elements of a traditional wedding you want to incorporate into your ceremony. I’ve listed the basics below, but for a more in-depth read, here’s a complete wedding preparation checklist!
| Pre-Wedding Preparations | At least PHP 0 or PHP 10,000 | Teeth whitening is one of the best ways to prepare for a wedding.
Visit The Smile Bar, the top teeth whitening bar in the country to get the best results! You can turn your teeth 2 to 9 shades whiter just in time for your big day. |
| Venue | At least PHP 0 or PHP 20,000 | Civil weddings are often small and intimate affairs, and because of that, many choose to have their civil wedding ceremony at home. Restaurants are also common places to hold civil wedding ceremonies. |
| Catering | At least PHP 0 or PHP 300 per person | Don’t want to pay for catering? Have a potluck affair and be pleasantly surprised by what your guests decide to bring! |
| Wedding Attire | At least PHP 0 or PHP 10,000 | Consider borrowing clothes from a friend or using items you already own to save even more money! |
| Photographer/Videographer | At least PHP 0 or PHP 10,000 | Go without |
| Honeymoon | At least PHP 0 or PHP 50,000 | Because you saved on your actual wedding ceremony, you have more to spend on your honeymoon! Not sure where to go? Click this to find out the most visited honeymoon destinations in the Philippines and abroad! |
