What I need to get married in the Philippines

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I'm going to the Philippines to get married soon.

I have my decree absolute and birth certificate but what else do I need to get married there?

I read about a "CNI". What is this? Can I get it in the Philippines? (I'm going to Cebu)

There is currently no Consulate in Cebu ....

It's going to be a while before we get married. Can I get the CNI while I'm there in the Philippines?

I think CNI can only be requested from a registrars office.

Not necessarily so these days Dom

ha, you got me there

To elaborate on the CNI, this is what gov.uk says:-

You may be asked to provide a certificate of no impediment (CNI) or a similar document to prove you’re allowed to marry.

You can normally get a CNI by giving a notice of marriage at your local register office or registrar in the UK. Find your local office or registrar in England and Wales, Scotlandor Northern Ireland.

A CNI issued in England, Wales or Northern Ireland is valid for 6 months. A CNI issued in Scotland is valid for 3 months.

They’ll post your notice, and as long as nobody has registered an objection after a specified number of days (normally 15 or 21), they’ll issue your CNI.

Getting a Philippine version of your CNI
Once you have your UK-issued CNI, the British Embassy in Manila can issue a Philippine version that will be recognised by the local authorities. You can arrange this by booking an appointment online at least 2 weeks before your visit.

https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad

Thanks for the link, halohalo. If I'm living in the Philippines it says I need:

"proof of residence, such as a residence certificate"

How would I get that?

I don't live there so maybe one of the other members may advise but I believe it's now called community tax certificate. You can get it from your local city or municipal hall. Will you actually be living there as a permanent resident or will you just be using a tourist visa? If the latter then I don't think you would need the document.

Just a tourist visa.

No you can not. It can only be obtained from your local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If it is "going to be a while before" you get married, then it is very possible that Congresswoman Garcia's Bill will become law in the interim. This will mean that in addition to the CNI you will require:

• Police Clearance Certificate - issued by ACPO. This is valid for a maximum of 6 months from the date of issue.
• Certificate of good moral behaviour - from your local (RC) Parish Priest.
• Proof of earnings and savings - bank statements etc.

All of the above you will have to obtain in the UK before you depart.

I seem to recall that it is possible to get everything done in the Philippines, if you are to marry in the Philippines. But one has to have spent a certain number of days there to be able to take that route. It was an option that was made apparent to me when we were looking into it.

You can not get a CNI other than by personal application at your local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. If Garcia's Bill does become law, as is widely suspected, the required ACPO Certificate would require a visit to a main Police Station (this certificate is currently required for all Section 13(a) Visa applications and must be newer than 6 months).

Have a read of this for someone qualifying for this route (ie already in the Philippines ) It was the UK embassy that pointed this out to me.


What you need to do
You may be asked to provide a certificate of no impediment (CNI) or a similar document to prove you’re allowed to marry.

If you need a CNI, you’ll first need to give notice of your intended marriage at your nearest British embassy.

Applying for a CNI from the embassy
You’ll need to have been resident in the Philippines for at least 21 days. You can then book an appointment at the embassy to give notice of your marriage. There’s a fee for this service (see below).

Book an appointment online

You’ll need to provide supporting documents, including:

• your passport
• your full birth certificate or naturalisation certificate
• proof of residence, such as a residence certificate - check with the embassy to find out what you need
• equivalent documents for your partner

If you or your partner have been divorced, widowed or previously in a civil partnership, you’ll also need whichever of the following documents is appropriate:

• a decree absolute or final order
• a civil partnership dissolution or annulment certificate
• your (or your partner’s) former spouse or civil partner’s death certificate

You’ll also need to provide evidence of nationality or residence if a divorce or dissolution took place if outside the UK. You’ll need to get it translated if it’s not in English.

The embassy will provide you with forms for your notice of marriage, and an oath or affidavit (written statement of facts) stating that you’re free to marry. You can download and fill in (but not sign) the forms in advance.


https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad/y/philippines/other/philippines/partner_local/opposite_sex

It does seem possible but you have to be a resident, not just a tourist. so in this case (SunnyJim), needs to get one before he leaves, assuming he won't be in Phils over 6 months prior to his marriage.

I will try and fish out the other document the UKBA issue ( we were hand given a hard copy at the embassy ) but I always have difficulty locating it on line. It is a condensed version and has both routes within it.

"You’ll need to have been resident in the Philippines for at least 21 days. You can then book an appointment at the embassy to give notice of your marriage. There’s a fee for this service (see below)."

This is for those who arent in the UK. It isnt the same document that I recall but it essentially says the same thing.


https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad/y/philippines/other/philippines/partner_local/opposite_sex