Dreaming of a wedding in the Philippines – surrounded by the ocean, palm trees, and sunsets? It sounds magical. But in reality, it’s often much more complicated, especially if one partner is a foreigner. Instead of a simple ceremony, there’s paperwork, translations, consents, waiting for documents, and visits to embassies. All of this can stretch out over weeks or even months. Many couples find themselves facing bureaucracy they never even imagined.
In this article, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about getting married in the Philippines: from the required documents to local traditions and potential pitfalls. Plus, we’ll introduce an alternative that more and more couples from around the world are choosing. Because sometimes it’s easier to say “I do” in a country where everything is clear, quick, and truly beautiful – Georgia. Here, you can get married in just a couple of days, without unnecessary formalities, while the Kate & Co Weddings team takes care of all the details. But first things first. Let’s start with how marriage works in the Philippines.
In this article you will learn about
- Legal steps to get married in the Philippines
- Required number of witnesses for a civil wedding
- Marriage regulations in the Philippines
- International marriages: Filipino and foreigner
- Popular questions about Filipino wedding traditions
- Possible difficulties with getting married in the Philippines
- Why choose Georgia as your wedding destination?
Legal steps to get married in the Philippines
To get married in the Philippines, you first need to obtain a marriage license – without it, the ceremony won’t be officially recognized. You can apply at the local civil registry office in the area where one of the partners resides.
Then comes a mandatory 10-day waiting period. During this time, your intent to marry is publicly posted to allow anyone with a legal objection to come forward. Before the license is issued, you’re also required to attend a short pre-marriage seminar – a brief overview of marriage and family life. Once that’s completed, you’ll receive a license that’s valid for 120 days. Now it’s time to start planning your celebration!
Wedding of a Philippine citizen in Georgia
Required number of witnesses for a civil wedding
At a civil wedding ceremony in the Philippines, the presence of two witnesses is mandatory. This is a legal requirement, and without it, the marriage cannot be officially registered. The witnesses can be any adults over the age of 18 – they don’t have to be relatives. The main condition is their physical presence at the ceremony and their signature on the official marriage contract. Witnesses confirm that the marriage is being entered into voluntarily and with mutual consent. Their signatures – along with those of the couple and the officiant – verify the validity of the marriage. After that, the documents are submitted to the national archive for final registration.
Marriage regulations in the Philippines
Family law in the Philippines is quite strict, but manageable – as long as you understand the rules. The most important thing to know is that only monogamous marriages are legally recognized. If someone is still legally married – even if separated – they cannot register a new marriage.
Age is also a key factor. You must be at least 18 years old to marry, though 25 is preferred. By the way, there is no divorce law in the Philippines, which means that marriage is viewed as a lifelong union – one that is taken very seriously and strongly protected by the state.
Finally, all marriages must be registered with a specific government agency – the Philippine Statistics Authority. This ensures that your union is officially recorded and legally recognized at the national level.
Beautiful locations in Georgia for your dream wedding
International marriages: Filipino and foreigner
A marriage between a Filipino and a foreigner is not just a union of two people – it’s also a merging of different cultures, regulations, and legal nuances. If you’re planning to get married in the Philippines and one of you is a foreign national, it’s important to be prepared in advance for some specific requirements.
What a foreigner needs to marry a Filipina
For a foreigner wishing to marry a Filipino citizen, it’s essential to carefully prepare all the required documents to ensure the process goes smoothly and without delays. Without proof of legal capacity to marry (an affidavit of legal capacity), the authorities will not be able to issue a marriage license.
Here’s a list of the main documents a foreign national will need:
- A valid passport;
- An affidavit of legal capacity to contract marriage, issued by the embassy of their home country in the Philippines;
- A certificate of divorce (if previously married and divorced);
- A death certificate of the former spouse (if widowed);
- Possibly additional documents as required by the local municipality.
By gathering this set of documents in advance, you’ll significantly simplify the registration process and avoid unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
What if the bride is under 25 years old?
If the bride is under 25, parental involvement is required. For those under 21, written parental consent is mandatory/ From ages 21 to 25, a parental consultation and formal notification are needed. Without these, the marriage may not be registered. This law is intended to protect young individuals and help prevent rushed decisions.
Our unforgettable moments
Popular questions about Filipino wedding traditions
Do Filipinas usually move abroad after marriage?
This is quite common. If the husband is a foreigner, the Filipina bride may move to live with him. But it all depends on the couple: where they work, what their plans are, and how visa matters are handled. Sometimes it’s the other way around – they choose to stay and live in the Philippines.
Bridesmaids in the Philippines: should they be single?
There’s a belief that a married bridesmaid can “take away” the bride’s good luck. That’s why in some regions, only unmarried women are invited to be bridesmaids. But in reality, things are much simpler: bridesmaids are chosen from those who are closest to the bride – regardless of their marital status.
Is it possible to marry a Filipina online?
No, Philippine law does not recognize online marriages. The ceremony must be conducted in person, with both parties physically present. Virtual marriages may be recognized in other countries, but not here.
Beautiful Wedding Ceremony for Foreign Couples in Georgia
Typical wedding costs in the Philippines
A civil wedding costs between $100 and $200. A traditional wedding ranges from $1,000 up to $10,000 or more. It all depends on the scale and the couple’s preferences. You can keep it modest or go all out.
Can you get married in just one month?
It is possible, but only with thorough preparation well in advance. Documents, license, seminar, waiting period – all of this takes time. If you stay on top of everything, it can be done within a month, but your time management must be excellent.
What would you like?
Possible difficulties with getting married in the Philippines
Despite the romance and exotic appeal, a wedding in the Philippines can turn into a real challenge – especially for couples of different nationalities. Processing the paperwork often takes weeks: affidavit of legal capacity to marry, CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage), translations, apostilles – all of these require time and effort. Moreover, each foreign embassy has its own requirements, and it’s not always clear where to begin.
The process also involves mandatory seminars, the need for witnesses, and strict adherence to local formalities. Most importantly, the Philippines does not have a full divorce system, which can pose a serious obstacle to remarriage. All of this doesn’t make organizing a wedding impossible, but it certainly isn’t easy.
Wedding photo shoot for foreign couples in Tbilisi
Why choose Georgia as your wedding destination?
After all the difficulties involved in registering a marriage in the Philippines, you just want one thing: for everything to be simple, fast, and free of bureaucracy. And that’s where Georgia feels like a breath of fresh air. This amazing country has long been a true discovery for couples who want to get married legally, quickly, and beautifully – without drowning in paperwork.
Top reasons to get married in Georgia
- Simple and official. In Georgia, you can get married in just a couple of days – and it will be a fully official union recognized by most countries worldwide, including the Philippines.
- No unnecessary bureaucracy. No embassy certificates, no weeks of waiting, no mandatory seminars. Just a passport, a translation, a couple of signatures – and you’re officially married.
- It’s beautiful. Georgia offers mountains, vineyards, ancient towns, and incredible nature. Here, you can combine your wedding registration with a dream honeymoon.
- Accessible for foreign couples. This country makes no distinction between citizens of different countries. It’s equally easy for a Filipina and an Italian, or an American and a Thai, to get married here.
- Full support. The wedding agency Kate & Co Weddings takes care of everything – from document translation to ceremony coordination. You simply arrive – and get married. No stress, no surprises, no wasted time.
- Flexibility and speed. Want to get married in a week? Easy. In two days? Possible. We organize everything exactly on the timeline that suits you.
Official marriage registration in Georgia for foreign couples from around the world
Georgia isn’t just an alternative. It’s a solution. Simple, clear, legal, and beautiful. That’s why more and more couples from different countries – including the Philippines – are choosing this path. And if you dream not just of a wedding, but of an easy and happy start to your married life – welcome. Kate & Co Weddings is waiting for you in Tbilisi!
