Marriage in the Philippines timescales

Good day to you all

My partner and I have set a date next year for marriage in the Philippines, 28th April

However, I am unsure of timescales.

I was planning to fly out on the 16th April, but after some research I do not think this will be enough time given it takes to firstly go to the British Embassy in Manila and to swear an affidavit (written statement of facts) that I am free to marry.

Then we will have to go to the local register in her province/or province where we are to marry and apply for the marriage licence which can take up to 10 working days right? As it needs to be displayed for 10 days prior to the licence being released.

So I was re-thinking the time I depart for the Philippines a week earlier perhaps?

Does anyone that has experience of this provide me with some useful insight?

Kindest Regards

Steve

I'm sure you must have found this already but just as a reminder here's some useful information from the British Embassy about Marriage in The Philippines

Also here's some general information about Getting married abroad

Might be helpful.

Regarding timescales, generally with good organisation, some forward preparations and based on things going fairly smoothly along the way, you should have no problems getting married within a 21 day timeframe.

I'm sure there are others who will say you can achieve it in less time and yes that's achievable as some have actually managed it.

You may or may not be required to attend a "Pre-Marriage Seminar" counselling session prior to being allowed to be married. Check and ask before at the place where you'll be applying for the marriage license.

There are always 'local variations' in the Philippines. Always check and double check.
Through the whole process take extra time to very carefully and very thoroughy check and read through all paper work at each step before signing anything. Any typing errors/mistakes/mismatches can create delays.

By the way, that 10 days period after applying for the Marriage Licence is a legal mandatory 10 day waiting period.
Do always check when it actually WILL be issued. What with holidays and non-working days the licence may not get issued until after 11,12 or 13 days. It still complies with the legal requirement provided it has been posted continuously for a minimum 10 consecutive days.

Hi Steve.

I went through this same procedure in September.

I arrived in Manila Sept 2.

Attended appointment (pre-booked on internet) at British Embassy for affirmation swearing, Sept 3. Very straightforward.

Up to the province:

Sept. 7th visited local municipal hall to sort out marriage licence application and ordering CENOMAR for my partner (which was delivered to us 3 or 4 days later). Booked marriage counselling seminar...which we attended on Sept 11th, and was an absolute hoot, with much hilarity among the assembled couples.

Sept 14th. Returned to Municipal Hall (where all this was being processed) with partner's CENOMAR, plus pics of us 'tree-planting' (local requirement), with fees. p1,040.
Booked wedding date (we chose Sept 26th).

Sept 26th...got married by the local Mayor in his office at Municipal Hall...followed by a feast with the relatives.

Good evening all

Micawber and Graham59, thank you very much for the excellent information and guidance. It has helped greatly.

I am now toying with the idea of going out for a week to attend the Embassy and apply for the marriage licence. Return home for 2 weeks which will give plenty of time for the marriage licence to come through and then go back out for another 2 weeks to do the seminars and get married.

As for my future wife to come here and live with in the UK, is it more suitable and less hassle for her to apply for the Visa after marriage?

IMO yes...easier if you're already married (and cheaper).

See the link below, this should be of help to you if you have not seen it already, good luck

http://www.british-filipino.com/ind...he-philippines-and-settlement-in-the-uk.9718/

Super amazing help all, very grateful.

So my plan is, jet out for a week in Late March, attend the appointment at the Embassy, then go my fair lady's home town and apply for the marriage licence. Return home for a few weeks, then back out to the Philippines to for 2 weeks and get married.

I have a query though, am I allowed to leave the country after the Embassy appointment and applying for the marriage licence and return to use it to wed a month later?

Regards

Steve

There are no issues to my knowledge. I've known a few folks do similar without problems.
The marriage Licence is valid for 120 days

...

Nice to see the Tree Planting requirement

Getting married is more fun in the Philippines

Tree planting! hehe, sounds like a giggle

Thanks all.

Graham, that is great.

How long did it take for your marriage licence to come through, after your application on the 7th September?

Steve

@Steve Lewis You have to do the seminar at the City Health Department BEFORE applying for a marriage licence.

Just photos of 4 'staged' plantings...around mother-in-law's house.

Hi Howard, thank you for the insight.

Is 4 weeks in the Philippines sufficient time to arrange all the requirements, seminars, marriage licence etc and wed?

Steve

I think you said 2 x 2 weeks? If, on the first visit, you go to embassy to make affidavit/declaration and get Health Seminar done and apply for marriage licence, the licence should be available to pick up 10 working days later. The problem is, I think they often require both parties to collect the licence - by that time you will have returned home.

I am not sure what effect that may have in arranging the wedding if the licence is not available because your fiancee cannot collect it alone. In my case case, they waived the necessity for me to be with my wife to collect the marriage licence as I am disabled.

If you are having a church wedding, there will be further seminars with church elders - my wife and I had 3 such seminars at an evangelical Christian church.

In my case I made 2 x 4 week visits but I like to have a safety margin as I am retired as well as disabled. My first visit was in December 2014 - we did the Health department seminar and my wife collected the marriage licence (which is valid for 120 days) I returned in March and we did 3 seminars with church elders plus read a book and write a synopsis.

Sometimes, getting the marriage licence can take longer than the minimum of 10 working days.

4 weeks in the Philippines is time enough to get married.
From securing the Embassy Affirmation, attending the seminar, applying for and issue of marriage licence, the wedding ceremony and honeymoon.

You'll just need to ensure all documentations are correct and the wedding plans are finalised before heading over.

Like Howerd mentioned, I also thought you were planning 2 visits.

Howerd, Micawber

I am rethinking the 2 trip idea due to financial reasons and make the trip a 4 week stretch to get all things wrapped up and moving along, a safer bet I think

My better half has retrieved some information from her local municipal which is good news

Time to plot the dates to fly after a little more fact finding about the Visa application (which I have posted a thread on the Visa section)

Regards

Steve

Good evening to you all

I wanted to tell you on my progress thus far....

- Flights booked, staying the Philippines for a month Fly out on the Tuesday 5th April, landing Wednesday 6th April in Manila.
- British Embassy appointment made for Thursday 7th April for Affirmation/Affidavits swearing

Next is to find a hotel for the night of the 6th.

Travel onto my better half's hometown.

Friday 8th April, to visit the local municipal hall and start the marriage licence application. Hoping the start of the following week to attend the seminars.

Then off on a trip to Palawan or Boracay for 5 days or more.

Wedding date set for 28th April

Steve

Sounds like it's all coming together nicely Steve. Well done and good luck.

Do allow plenty of extra times on travel schedules. Things can get delayed for all sorts of reasons in the Paradise Islands

Have fun