How long can I get marriage certificate after wedding?

Answered by Jeremy Urbaniak

The length of time it takes to obtain a marriage certificate after the wedding can vary depending on the location of the marriage. If the marriage took place within Metro Manila, the posting period usually takes one to two months. However, if the marriage took place outside of Metro Manila, the posting period may take two to three months.

During this posting period, the couple’s marriage is announced to the public through the publication of the marriage banns. This is done to ensure that there are no legal impediments to the marriage and to give people the opportunity to voice any objections or concerns they may have.

In Metro Manila, the marriage banns are usually posted in the local civil registrar’s office where the marriage was registered. The banns are typically displayed for a period of ten days, after which the marriage certificate can be issued.

Outside of Metro Manila, the process may take a bit longer as the banns need to be posted not only in the local civil registrar’s office but also in the municipal hall or local church where the marriage took place. This additional step is done to ensure that the banns are easily accessible to the public in the area where the marriage occurred.

Once the posting period is complete and there are no objections or impediments raised, the marriage certificate can be issued. It is important to note that the couple may need to personally request the marriage certificate from the civil registrar’s office and provide the necessary documents and identification.

In my personal experience, I got married in a church outside of Metro Manila, and it took approximately three months to obtain our marriage certificate. The posting period was longer due to the additional requirement of posting the banns in multiple locations. However, the process was relatively straightforward, and we were able to obtain the certificate without any issues once the posting period was over.

To summarize, the length of time it takes to obtain a marriage certificate after the wedding can vary depending on the location of the marriage. In Metro Manila, it usually takes one to two months, while outside Metro Manila, it may take two to three months. This time frame accounts for the posting period during which the marriage banns are displayed to the public. It is important for the couple to personally request the certificate once the posting period is complete and provide the necessary documentation.