Mind boggled - seeking advice!

[Terpe]

It will be a civil marriage (non-church) for sure as neither of us are particularly religious. I might have to arrive early before the wedding and get this done. Can somebody also confirm that I understand the process of things we NEED to do before the marriage as the following:


1. Affirm or affidavit at English Embassy (take all my personal documents) Can I do this in February for a wedding in July?

2. Get marriage license from the Filipino government

Are these 2 things the only things we need to do other than organise the actual wedding itself?

In principle yes.

There are details.....as always...

Do be aware that some authorities issuing the Marriage Licence also request sight of the CENOMAR of both parties. Mean the foreign partner also.
Means just one more thing to check. Your Fiancee can do this. It's not a legal requirement but if the authorities demand it then you must obey.

You might also be requested to attend the "Pre-Marriage Seminar" counselling sessions prior to being allowed to be married. Have your Fiancee check this at the place you intend to marry and ask when you apply for
the marriage license.
You should also ask about using a marriage contract expedite service to secure the marriage certificate asap otherwise you could end up waiting for ages (months) which#
is something you don't need if waiting to apply for a visa.

After you first apply for the license there is a mandatory 10 day waiting period while the marriage bans are published. Remember this.

How much time off work can you realsitically secure for this wedding ???

[ssbib]

In principle yes.

There are details.....as always...

Do be aware that some authorities issuing the Marriage Licence also request sight of the CENOMAR of both parties. Mean the foreign partner also.
Means just one more thing to check. Your Fiancee can do this. It's not a legal requirement but if the authorities demand it then you must obey.

You might also be requested to attend the "Pre-Marriage Seminar" counselling sessions prior to being allowed to be married. Have your Fiancee check this at the place you intend to marry and ask when you apply for
the marriage license.
You should also ask about using a marriage contract expedite service to secure the marriage certificate asap otherwise you could end up waiting for ages (months) which#
is something you don't need if waiting to apply for a visa.

After you first apply for the license there is a mandatory 10 day waiting period while the marriage bans are published. Remember this.

How much time off work can you realsitically secure for this wedding ???

I think that I could get a month off work realistically. Thats half paid and half unpaid. I don't get many holidays with my job. Should this be enough time if we have a date set for the start of the month and start getting the paperwork the day I arrive?

Generally, with good organisation, and things go fairly smooth along the way, you should have no problems getting married within a 20-30 day timeframe.
I'm sure there are many who will say you can achieve it in only 14 days, and in my opinion that can be done if you are very lucky and the organisation is real slick.
Most folks will tell you that 21 days is enough time, and I think on balance that's a reasonable time without major problems, but not much time left for honeymoon.

I suggest you always check the latest information for paperwork needed etc but in principle to apply for the Marriage License you should consider having the following:-

Your birth certificate
Your passport
Your British Embassy Affidavit
Your NSO CENOMAR
Your Divorce decree asbsolute (if applicable)

Certificate of 'Pre-Marriage Seminar' (if needed, please check well beforehand)

Her N.S.O. birth certificate (This should be fresh from NSO on latest type of security paper. Check)
Her Passport (or other appropriate ID)
Her Barangay clearance (if needed, please check well beforehand)
Her community tax certificate (often called Cedula)
Her postal I.D. Address
Her CENOMAR
Her Parents signed advice form (if under 25 years age)
Her Parents I.D.

Seems a lot. So much better your fiancee will double check exactly the documentary requirements from the place and those people who will administer the marriage.

Not worth trying to avoid a few hundred Peso.
Just spend it and if the docs don't get demanded, just smile. You had them in your back pocket anyway.

Thanks for this list, it's helpful. Most of those documents will be fine, but where do I get MY NSO CENOMAR from?? Also, what office do we need to go to to request a marriage license?

I think we are going to try and go for a wedding in February. Neither of us wants to hang around. I hope that gives us enough time to get a good location and caterer and then a month to get the documents before the wedding itself.