The Ultimate Guide to Apostille CENOMAR for Marriage Abroad: Process, Requirements, and Expert Tips

If you plan to get married to a foreign national in their home country, most countries require a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (CLCCM) before you can file for a marriage license. The CLCCM is a certification that the Filipino applicant has no legal impediments and has the capacity to marry. The application for a CLCCM is done at the Philippine Embassy. Specifically for single Filipinos, one of the requirements for a CLCCM is a Philippine-issued CENOMAR with an Apostille certification.

If you are a Filipino citizen planning to marry abroad, understanding how to obtain and process an apostille CENOMAR is essential to avoid delays, embassy rejections, or rescheduling your wedding.

In this comprehensive guide, we explain what a CENOMAR is, why an apostille is required, how to process apostille CENOMAR in the Philippines, and how a professional service provider like FileDocsPhil can save you time, money, and stress.

What is a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record)?

A Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) is a certification stating a person has never been married or has not yet contracted any marriage. The issuance of this document is facilitated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It is also known as Certificate of No Record of Marriage or Certificate of Singleness. It is often required for various legal purposes, including marriage abroad, immigration, or even employment.

Note that a single person is different from an unmarried person. A single person is someone who has never been married, or whose marriage was legally annulled or declared void ab initio by a Philippine court. In contrast, an unmarried person refers to someone who was previously married but is now widowed or divorced. Under Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regulations, a CENOMAR is issued only to individuals who are legally considered single. 

On the contrary, for those with a previous marriage, the type of civil registry document issued depends on the status of that marriage. If the marriage was annulled or declared void ab initio, the PSA may issue a Certificate of Singleness with an annotation reflecting the court decision. If the person is widowed, the PSA will issue a CEMAR (Certificate of Marriage) annotated with the death of the spouse. Meanwhile, individuals who obtained a divorce abroad must first secure judicial recognition of the foreign divorce in the Philippines before the PSA can update their civil registry records; otherwise, the marriage will still appear as existing in PSA records.

Why Do You Need an Apostille CENOMAR?

Before 2019, Filipinos had to go through a tedious process called “red ribbon” authentication. However, since the Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention, the process has been streamlined.

An Apostille is a specialized certificate issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that authenticates the signature of a public official on your CENOMAR. Once a document is Apostilled, it is automatically valid in all other member countries of the Hague Convention.

Common Uses for an Apostille CENOMAR:

1. Marriage Abroad: To obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (CLCCM).
2. Visa Applications: For fiancé visas (like the K-1 visa) or spouse visas.
3. Immigration and Residency: Establishing civil status for permanent residency applications.
4. International Adoption: Proving the civil status of the prospective parent.

How to Apostille CENOMAR in the Philippines?

Apostille CENOMAR Requirements

Once you have your PSA CENOMAR in hand, you are ready for the authentication process. You cannot simply walk into the DFA; you must prepare the following:

1. Original PSA CENOMAR: It must be the latest version (issued within the last 6 months is preferred by most foreign embassies).
2. Valid Government ID: Bring the original and a photocopy (Passport, UMID, Driver’s License, etc.).
3. Confirmed Appointment: A printout of your DFA Authentication appointment.
4. Special Power of Attorney (SPA): If you are processing this through a representative or a service provider like FileDocsPhil.

Apostille CENOMAR Process

Step 1: Secure a DFA Apostille Appointment

Book an appointment via the DFA Apostille Appointment System. Choose your preferred DFA branch (CO or Regional Office). Slots may vary depending on the availability by branch.

Step 2: Submit Documents to the DFA

On your appointment date:

• Fill out the Authentication Application Form
• Present your confirmed appointment
• Submit your CENOMAR and valid ID
• Pay the apostille fee
• Keep your official receipt

It is advisable to get an assistance from a service provider, such as FileDocsPhil, for a hassle-free process of your apostille CENOMAR, most especially if you’re outside of the Philippines and don’t have time to process your documents.

Note that the CLCCM requirements vary per country. Contact the embassy of your foreign home country for more information. Better yet, choosing a reputable Apostille service provider is crucial in ensuring a smooth and efficient process for obtaining the Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) in the Philippines. 

Step 3: Release of Apostille CENOMAR

Engaging with a service provider means you don’t have to worry how you can get your documents. We will just deliver it straight at your door step.

Sounds Overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be!

Here at FileDocsPhil, with our experience and expertise in handling Apostille processes specifically for documents in the Philippines, we provide quality service to the public. Filedocsphil offer a full-service package that includes requesting your CENOMAR from the PSA, verifying the document’s accuracy, and handling all necessary submissions to the DFA for apostille. We ensure that each step is completed correctly, saving you time and effort.