For British Nationals planning to get married in Philippines

Marriage license is the most important requirement to have for you to get married and without it, wedding preparations even how lavish or simple it is will be useless.

Okay, since we got engaged last November 2013, the rule for British Nationals who will be getting married in Philippines and based overseas was to apply for certificate of no impediment in UK Embassy where he is residing (which for us is UAE) and they will send it to UK Embassy in Philippines where we can collect it but as of 23rd June 2014, they changed the rules/ requirements to below:

From UK Embassy site:

The Consular Section now administers affirmations or affidavits to marry. Local authorities have confirmed that they will accept this document. This replaces the old-style Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)

You must prepare a type written affirmation of affidavit of marital status, following below template before you attend the Consular Section. British applicants are required to personally appear at teh embassy. Document must follow this template- Font size 12, Times New Roman, 1.5cm margin all around.

Note: An affidavit is an applicant's written statement confirmed by taking his/ her religious oath (e.g. oath on a Bible or Koran), whereas an affirmation is an applicant's solemn, non-religious declaration of his/her facts. You should bring supporting documents relating to the facts indicated on your affirmation/ affidavit. 

You may set an appointment with the Consular Section via the British Embassy Manila online appointment system www.britishembassymanila.clickbook.net or send them an email with three (3) prefered dates/ schedule at Manila.ConsAppointment@fco.gov.uk Consular staff will not process applications of customers who come to the Embassy without a prepared affirmation or affidavit or without complete supporting documents. You will be asked to book another appointment once all documents are ready

Supporting Documents (Provide originals and corresponding photocopies)

-  Original UK passport and original UK birth certificate

-  If widow/ widower, present original death certificate of deceased spouse, or a certified copy

     -  If spouse died in the Philippines, present:

              -  Original death certificate of deceased spouse

              -  Advisory on marriage (CRS Form 5) in lieu of a CENOMAR from the National Statistics                    Office

              -  Marriage Certificate with proper annotation declaring, if applicable, the presumptive death                  of spouse

-  If divorced/ annulled, present original divorce decree absolute/ annulment papers, or a certified          copy.

     -  If annulled in the Philippines, please present the following documents:

              -  Advisory of Marriage Records (CRS Form 5) in lieu of a CENOMAR from the National                      Statistics Office

              -  certificate of Finality and full court documents, including decision

              -  marriage certificate, with proper annotation declaring the marriage null and void

Due to the new rules, we sent them an email to set an appointment. We gave 3 preferred dates and they confirmed the first date but early morning so even though it will be an additional expense on our part, we flew back to Philippines and booked a hotel nearby the embassy to avoid peak hour traffic and miss our appointment. Please note that nothing mentioned that "I" (Bride) MUST be there but Steve said that it will be handy for both of us to be present incase they have questions.

Our appointment is at 0845hrs and reached the embassy at 0820hrs but upon approaching the guards and informing them about our appointment, we were asked to stay outside while trying to contact the staff inside the embassy so we stayed there with the rest of the people with appointments. It's already passed 0900hrs when they started calling people to enter the vicinity which is quite disappointing. 

On a positive side, we're second on the appointment list so it didnt take long for us to go inside and stayed in an air-conditioned room. Please make sure that you have all the requirements needed for your Affirmation/ Affidavit following above guidelines. The 1st couple before us who came all the way from Cebu wasn't able to process his authenticated Affirmation due to missing type-written form and they have to go back and set another appointment. 

Roughly, it only took 30 minutes for Steve to finish the whole process from submission of the requirements to the Consular up to receiving the authenticated Affirmation Certificate. The Consular asked Steve some details about where we met, how long we've been together and wedding details. 

UK Embassy Manila Address:

120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hills, Taguig City 1634

Tel: 00632 8582200

(Behind Korean Embassy) 

Website for the complete instructions for application, including payment and requirements: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-in-the-philippines.  

For the Consular rates/fees, please refer to the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/philippines-consular-fees

IMPORTANT REMINDERS (from UK Embassy, Manila):

-  Under the perjury Act (1911) it is a criminal offence to knowingly make a false declaration.                Offenders face the possibility of a fine and/ or a jail sentence.

-  You should apply for a marriage license from the Philippine local icvil registrar once the                    affirmation/ affidavit has been completed. The process normally takes 10 working days.

-  Please fulfill other requirements set by the Philippine authorities. If your fiancee/ fiance was                previously married, you must ensure to submit their complete divorce/ annulment documents. 

-  You may wish to seek legal advice to ensure the validity of your fiancee/ finace's foreign divorce in    the Philippines. Certain restrictions may apply to Philippine nationals who were divorced overseas.

-  An affidavit/ affirmation does not make your marriage valid under UK or foreign law, or guarantee    to the local authorities that you are free to marry. You may wish to seek legal advice on this.