How to Marry a US Citizen in the Philippines

Step-by-step guide to marrying a US citizen in the Philippines, with tips and real-life lessons.

How to Marry a US Citizen in the Philippines: Our Journey

We stood at the municipal hall, papers in hand, anxious but hopeful—this is how to marry an American citizen in the Philippines, and our story begins here. In our 30s, my husband (American) and I (Filipina) knew we wanted a simple wedding, but with his limited vacation days, planning ahead was essential.

Thanks to early preparations, the kindness of the municipal staff, and a bit of perseverance, we made it happen smoothly and meaningfully.

Whether you’re reading this because you’re ready to tie the knot, juggling schedules, or simply overwhelmed by the process, you’re not alone—and this guide will walk you through everything.

Our Story First

My fiancé lives in the U.S. and has limited vacation days, so we needed to prepare everything in advance. Since I had the time, I focused on taking care of our documents and making sure everything was ready before he arrived. From the first few months of our relationship, we already planned to get married, and reading through Facebook groups helped us understand what to expect.

You can read our full love story in a separate post, but here’s the quick version: we were in our 30s, committed to each other, and wanted a low-key, stress-free wedding. Two key prep steps made the process smoother:

• I renewed my passport ahead of time—so I wasn’t scrambling later.
• We downloaded the Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (often required instead of a “Certificate of No Impediment”), had it notarized in Manila, and gathered everything before traveling to my home province.

Because of those prep steps, and with the help of kind municipal staff, we managed to finish everything in one go despite scheduling challenges.

How to Marry a US Citizen in the Philippines: What We Prepared

2.1 Documents for Both Legal-Age Spouses

• PSA CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) – Required for both partners (Filipino and American). Even if the American spouse is not in the PSA system, the certificate will still show “No Record,” and municipalities will still ask for it.
  • We ordered both online at PSA Serbilis (you can also use PSAHelpline.ph). It was convenient since my husband was abroad before flying in, and I got them delivered in advance.
• PSA Birth Certificate – For the Filipino partner.
• Marriage Counseling Certificate – Schedule through your municipality.
• Cedula (Community Tax Certificate) – Get this from the barangay or municipal hall.
• Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage – Required for foreign spouses to prove they are legally allowed to marry.
• Divorce Decree (Original or Certified True Copy, if applicable) – Required for any spouse who has been previously married. Ensure this is issued by the proper court to avoid delays.

(Tip: order extra copies of your PSA documents—you’ll often need them again later for visa processing or future transactions.)

2.2 Documents Based on Age

• If one partner is 18–20 years old, Parent’s Consent (with parents’ valid ID and signature) is required.
• If aged 21–25, you need Parent’s Advice instead.
• We were both over 30, so these didn’t apply—but the rules vary by municipality.

2.3 Documents for the American Citizen: Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage

• Instead of a “Certificate of No Impediment,” many municipalities accept a sworn affidavit.
• We downloaded the form, completed it, and had it notarized in Manila before traveling to the province.
• Make sure you use the official form from the U.S. Embassy in Manila website—or your municipality may reject it.

(Remember: this step removes one huge worry. Doing it early meant we avoided surprises.)

3. How to Marry a US Citizen: Navigate the Civil Registrar Process

Once we had all documents ready, we headed to the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) of our municipality.

• We submitted all documents together: PSA CENOMAR, PSA birth certificate, cedula, counseling certificate, and notarized affidavit.
• We paid the required marriage license fee—rates vary, but usually modest.
• Then, the 10-day publication (banns) period began automatically, unless your LGU allows an expedited waiver. (Check your LGU website.)

Thankfully, the staff was kind and helpful. They answered our questions and walked us through the steps. Even when my husband’s time was tight, they adjusted schedules to accommodate us. And that kind of flexibility made all the difference.

Completing the Seminar & License

The marriage counseling seminar went smoothly. The presiding officer was patient, clear, and encouraging. We were nervous during the paperwork—worried something might be missing or wrong—but every step went well. They even checked our documents carefully and gently pointed out a minor detail I overlooked. That helped a lot.

After the seminar, we received our Marriage License, valid for 120 days (check local rules). We were able to plan our wedding confidently.

Our Wedding Day

My family and close relatives were there in person, while my husband’s family, who couldn’t travel, joined us through Facebook Live. It meant a lot that they could still witness the ceremony, even from afar. The day was filled with warmth, support, and genuine happiness. What mattered most was that we were finally married, surrounded by love both near and far.

Tips I Learned Along the Way

• Start early: The passport renewal, downloading affidavit forms, and getting PSA documents can take weeks. Give yourself buffer time.
• Bring extra copies: I brought multiple photocopies of everything. Staff appreciated the backup.
• Verify spellings: Even small typos can create delays later—especially on passports or certificates.
• Be respectful but confident: Especially when you worry—ask questions, clarify details.
• Be flexible with scheduling: Show that you value their help. They responded kindly when we thanked them for accommodating my husband’s tight schedule.
• Focus on meaning, not perfection: We kept things low-key intentionally, prioritizing commitment over celebration, and that made the process less stressful.

Your Next Steps (Checklist)

Moving Forward – How to Marry a US Citizen

Moving forward, we are simply grateful that everything went smoothly. From the municipal staff’s guidance to the timely release of our documents, the process unfolded without complications. Now, all that remains is to wait for our marriage certificate to be registered with the PSA so we can secure a copy. Once that’s done, we can begin the next chapter—my husband’s petition for me.

It was surreal—at times, it felt like it would never happen because we were worried about everything that might go wrong. Thank God, we pulled it off with the help of everyone. We are deeply grateful to those who were part of our relationship and to everyone who celebrated with us on our wedding day.

If you’re preparing for the same journey, know that with the right documents and a little patience, the process can be manageable. Every marriage story is unique, but what matters most is reaching this milestone together.

Disclaimer: This checklist is meant to share our personal experience and may or may not be applicable depending on new updates from the government. I am not a legal professional. Readers are advised to do their own due diligence and confirm requirements with the appropriate authorities.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with someone preparing for their own wedding. 💍 Have questions or want to know more about our love story? Drop a comment below—I’d love to connect!