How to Officially Record a Marriage Between a US National and a Filipino Solemnized in the Philippines for US Recognition

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Marriage is a joyous event that often brings together people from different parts of the world. If you are an American citizen who recently tied the knot with a partner in the Philippines, it's important to know that you may need to report your marriage to the United States government. This process ensures that your marital status is recognized by US authorities and can be crucial for various legal and immigration-related matters. In this blog, we will guide you through the steps to report your marriage that took place in the Philippines, providing valuable information for couples in similar situations worldwide.

Is a marriage in the Philippines valid in the United States? 

Yes, the U.S. recognizes marriages if they're legally performed in the country where they occurred. So, your marriage is valid in the U.S. To make sure it's recognized, get your marriage certificate and register your marriage at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This will allow you to update your name to your married status and use the certificate for official purposes.

Marriage requirements for U.S. citizens in the Philippines are as follows:

Age: Only individuals aged 18 or older are eligible to marry. Those between 18 and 21 can marry with written parental consent, while those aged 22 to 25 must receive parental advice before tying the knot.

Affidavits (for applicants aged 18 to 25): If you are between 18 and 21, you need to provide an affidavit of parental consent to marry. This affidavit should be signed by both parents (or one parent if the other is absent) in the presence of witnesses. Applicants aged 22 to 25 should submit an affidavit of parental advice to demonstrate parental approval.

Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry: Under Philippine law, all non-Filipino individuals are obligated to furnish a "Certificate of Legal Capacity to Enter into Marriage" prior to applying for a marriage license. This certificate serves as confirmation that there are no legal obstacles preventing the foreigner from marrying a Filipino citizen, such as being currently married to someone else.

Witnesses: Two legal-age witnesses are required to be present during the wedding ceremony.

Pre-Marital Counseling: All couples planning to marry in the Philippines are required to undergo pre-marital counseling, which can be administered by a certified provider affiliated with either the church or the Social Welfare and Development Department, depending on the type of wedding.

Marriage License: Prior to getting married in the Philippines, you must fill out a marriage license application. You can obtain this application form from the local civil registrar where your wedding will take place. It's important to note that this document is typically provided to individuals who have successfully completed their pre-marital counseling requirements.

Additionally, according to Philippine marriage laws, U.S. citizens must obtain an apostille for their original documents to authenticate them for use in the Philippines. This apostille ensures that the documents are valid and recognized on foreign soil.

How to report your Philippine marriage to the US

After your marriage ceremony in the Philippines, request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the local civil registrar's office where the marriage was solemnized. If your PSA marriage certificate is already available, you may opt to simply get a copy of that at the nearest PSA office or by ordering online at PSAHelpline.ph. 

If you have children born in the Philippines as a result of your marriage, you may want to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for them at the same time. You can complete the DS-2029 form to apply for both the CRBA and report the marriage.

Schedule an Appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate:

Contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in the Philippines to schedule an appointment. Be prepared to provide all required documents, including your PSA marriage certificate.

Attend the Appointment:

At the appointment, you will need to present the necessary documents, pay any applicable fees, and complete any required forms.

Wait for Processing:

The processing time may vary, but once your marriage is reported, you will receive a Consular Report of Marriage Abroad (Form FS-240). This document serves as proof of your marriage's recognition by the US government.

If you are a US citizen who recently celebrated your marriage with a Filipino in the Philippines, it's essential to ensure its recognition by the United States government, as this recognition can have significant implications for various legal and immigration matters. We hope this blog helps in your journey to getting all aspects of your marriage properly registered in your country.

For more information, you may visit the website of the Embassy of the United States as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs. 



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