What does it take to get married in the Philippines?

I'm a USA citizen and I've been in the Philippines for several years on a tourist visa. I'm considering a no frills civil wedding with the little woman that's been keeping me company for the last 4 years. Anyone been there, done that and got the t-shirt?

What kind of documentation was required of you?
Was there a waiting period for approval?
What other hoops did you have to jump through?

Thanks...

 

There is lot of paperwork and it takes patience and perseverance from start until you finally receive the marriage license. I found it to be a very arduous process.
For you, the following U.S. Embassy Manila has some useful instructions.
Getting Married in the Philippines | Manila, Philippines - Embassy of the United States
For her, there are a series of paperwork requirements, she can get information at Dumaguete City Hall that points her in the right direction, including a required seminar.
It does take some time.
Good luck.

Btw, I documented some of the steps we went through on this forum 5 years ago, if you can find it.

 

How to Get Married in the Philippines - An Ultimate Guide

 

Point taken Dustin, but in reply to that, it would be nice to see some acknowledgement from them that we are trying to help with their questions which has not been the case on the Last 2 occasions. Even a simple Thank You for answers might sit better.

JP

 

Thanks for the input guys, i follow the links today and chew on it a bit before i bite and sorry about using the anonymous button, i wanted it to be a surprise and i know she has friends reading this site.

So... it looks like it's going to take a little more footwork than in the states, like attending the required pre-wedding seminars and counseling <groan>

I sure hope one doesn't have to take the family planning thing, I took care of that about 40 years ago (snip : )

 

I wouldn't Admit that to anyone at the Seminar or elsewhere, they may look on that as Artificial birth Control [ Contraception] ( you know what they are like about this religion thing)

Just saying

JP

 

Same answer here as most: I got married here too.. NSO Records for both parties, Legal Capacity to Marriage (Obtained from US Embassy in Manila), Marriage Counselling Class, Police Clearance if in the states BUT thats only if you are here 6 months or less..if youve been here for years just get a NBI clearance, thats all I needed. Birth Certs for both, and a letter of intent from both parties. That was it for my civil and it was done at my oceanfront property. Oh, and you need at least 2 witnessess willing to sign the marriage contract. Just be sure THIS is the one, because there is no Divorce here. Only Annullment, hella expensive and long long time... or "legal" seperation, and once a legal marriage is made there are a lot of laws tipping the scale of balance in favor of the woman..(for whatever reason)