GUIDE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES RE: AFFIRMATION OR AFFIDAVIT OF MARITAL STATUS

GUIDE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES RE: AFFIRMATION OR AFFIDAVIT OF MARITAL STATUS

Every British national who intends to get married in the Philippines needs to do their research about the requirements needed in order to have everything run smoothly. It could be a very taxing ordeal if you allow yourself to get stressed and overwhelmed by tasks ahead.

One of the requirements in order to get a marriage license from the local civil registry office here in the Philippines is the Affirmation or Affidavit of Marital Status. This actually replaces the CNI or Certificate of No Impediment.

Affirmation or Affidavits are solemn declarations of personal information. Affirmation has a religious element to it, while Affirmation has the opposite. Whichever you choose, depending on your belief and preference is binding – to add, both are binding.

The applicant must prepare an affirmation or affidavit of marital status, typed on a computer and printed, before visiting the consular section.

Here’s the link to the affidavit or affirmation: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-in-the-philippines

Aside from the affirmation or affidavit, which needs to be in an A4 sized paper and signed only during the appointment schedule in the presence of a consular representative, there are still some supporting documents that the applicant needs to prepare for the Consular office to administer him his affidavit or affirmation.

1. Original British passport
2. Proof of Address ( driving license, utility bills, bank statements, credit card statements)
3. Payment of Consular fee (Please refer at the Consular Fees Table 2018 posted below for reference) The Consular Office accepts payment by Visa/Mastercard in Pounds Sterling (£) or cash in Philippine Peso (=P=) on the day of the appointment.

Click to access Philippines_Consular_Fee_Table_as_of_5_July_2018.pdf

You may also need to prepare the following (if applicable):

I. DIVORCED

• Original or certified copy of divorce decree absolute (If the divorce decree isn’t in English, submit original and the official English translation.)

II. WIDOWED

• Original or certified copy of death certificate (If death certificate isn’t in English, submit original and the official English translation.)

III. IF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE ANNULLED IN THE PHILIPPINES

• Original marriage certificate from PSA (Philippine Statistics Office) with an annotation stating that the annulment has been made final
• Advisory of Marriage and court documents (if the previous marriage was annulled in the Philippines)

After all these requirements are prepared, the applicant has to set an appointment with the consular section. Here’s the link to make an appointment:

https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-embassy-manila/oaths-affirmations-and-affidavits/service_list .

Please be reminded of the following:

• You need to personally go to the British Embassy in Manila for the oath.
• The Consular Office will not administer your affidavit or affirmation if your supporting documents are not complete.
• You will not be able to have your affidavit and affirmation if you were not able to make an online appointment with them.

Location and contact information of the British Embassy Manila:

120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill

Taguig City Manila

1634 Manila

Emailukinthephilippines@fco.gov.uk

Telephone +63 2 858 2200

Fax (Chancery) +63 2 858 2216