Procedures and Requirements for Reporting a Marriage Contracted Outside the Philipines

A marriage where one or both of the contracting parties is a Filipino citizen must be reported to the Consulate in order for the said marriage to be properly registered and recorded with the Office of the Civil Registrar General in Manila.

The Consulate can only undertake the marriage registration process if the marriage took place within in its jurisdiction, i.e., Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. For marriages outside of its jurisdiction, the Report of Marriage must be filed with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate which exercises jurisdiction over the place of marriage.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Four (4) original duly accomplished Report of Marriage Contracted Abroad form signed by husband and the wife.

    1. Four (4) identical colored photographs of the husband and the wife, 1.77 in x 1.37 in, plain white background, taken within six months before the date of application, (Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted).
    2. One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Contract Extended Form (Original will be returned).
    3. Proof of Filipino citizenship at time of marriage such as data page of Philippine passport and birth certificate. The Consular Offficer reserves the right to require additional proof or documents from an applicant, to prove his/her citizenship or identity pursuant to the Philippine Passport Law (R.A. 8239) and the Foreign Service Act (R.A. 7157).
    4. Report of Marriage Processing Fee: US$25.00 (non-refundable, payable only in cash when personally applying, or Postal money order or cashiers' check payable to the Philippine Consulate General, when applying by mail or courier; personal check and personal money order are note accepted).

    Additional Requirements

    1. If either spouse was previously married and divorced, or previously married and marriage was subsequently annulled:

      1. One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Judicial Decree of Divorce or Annulment.

    2. If either spouse is a widow/widower:

      1. One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of Death Certificate of deceased spouse (Original supporting documents ar returned).

    3. Requirements for applicants who wishes to have his/her Report of Marriage returned by mail or courier separate from Passport Application.

      1. Enclose either a $6.00 postal money order or cashiers' check or pre-paid U.S. Postal Service express mail envelope or courier of choice such as FEDEX, DHL or UPS. All applications submitted by mail or courier service, through travel agencies or representatives shall be duly notarized.

    Note: Please take note of the mailing or courier tracking number since the Philippine Consulate General cannot assume responsibility for documents which have been mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or courier service.

    4. RELEASING TIME

      1. APPLICATION SUBMITTED PERSONALLY - Report of Marriage is released at least two (2) business days by the Consulate of the duly accomplished application form and all requirements.
      2. APPLICATION SUBMITTED THROUGH MAIL OR COURIER - Report of Marriage is mailed within five (5) working days after receipt by the Consulate of the duly accomplished application form and all requirements.

      ONLY marriages contracted in the following places can be registered or reported at the Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles, CA: (1) Southern California; (2)Southern Nevada; (3) Arizona; (4) New Mexico; and (5) Texas

      In general, divorces between Filipinos are not recognized under Philippine law, wherever the decree is obtained. However, in the case of mixed marriages e.g. between Filipinos and foreigners, Philippine law would allow a divorced Filipino to re-marry, if the alien spouse initiated the divorce proceedings.

      Decrees of annulment issued by Philippine courts pursuant to the Family Code would allow Filipinos to re-marry. A judicial decree declaring the nullity of a marriage from the beginning would allow re-marriage.

Please call (213) 637-3021 (Civil Registry Section) for further assistance or any questions.


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