Would you ever appreciate if any hurdle disturbs your marriage dream in abroad?

Won't it be a nightmare?

of course, it would be tragic, indeed. But possibly, it can happen. Yeah! And, your ignorance would be responsible for it. It's true. Let's consider a scenario wherein this possibility would reflect explicitly.

Assume, just a week is left in your marriage with a Filipino boy. And, you come to know that you have to submit a CENOMAR- the Certificate of No Marriage. “What, the CENOMAR!” -you surprisingly scream.

What is it-this question might steal your sleep. Alongside, a complementary series of questions would make the rounds in your head, such as why do I need to submit it, what does it prove, what formalities should I follow, which door should I knock to get all information about it and many more ones.

This article will answer all these and many other contextual queries that can puzzle you.

Let’s begin with what it is and where it is mandatory.

What is CENOMAR? Where do you need it?
Throw a cursory look over the exaggeration of this acronym (as aforementioned). It would explicitly explain that it’s related to the marriage. Various European and some Asian countries mandate to present this document in particular before solemnizing marriage there. Every expat has to abide by this provision of the immigration policy, if he/she is likely to exchange woos there.

It, basically, certifies that the applicant gains legal capacity to tie a knot with a foreigner spouse. He/she might be married before. But, when this certificate is issued, he/she has been divorced, legally, or, he/she might be a widower/ widow. The marriage registrar also derives the idea that the person is eligible for the marriage.

Many countries, many names of this certificate:
This certificate is called with the different names in diverse countries, such as:

• Certificate of No Record
• Certificate of No Impediment
• Certificate of Nulla Osta
• Single Status Statutory Declaration
• Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage

Let’s say, you’re an Indian and willing to settle with a Filipino partner. You have to apply with the name single status certificate or bachelorhood certificate. Do remember that there is no competent authority to administer your request. But, you can get your marital status affidavit from the court. Later, submit it to the consulate authority of the foreign country (wherein you live).

Which is a competent authority that issues CENOMAR in Philippines?
It is called CENOMAR in Philippines. There, a specific government agency, called PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) regulates its issuance procedure. You can call it a competent authority that provides this legal document. Besides it, this authority has the capacity to issue a birth certificate and death certificate also.

Formerly, this authority was popularly known as NSO (National Statistics office). But after 2013, it, along with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Bureau of Labour and Employment Statistics (BLES) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) was merged with the PSA. Subsequently, this government agency has been administering all civil registry documents.

This merger was an outcome of the Republic Act No. 10625 (Philippine Statistical Act of 2013). The president Benigno S. Aquino III on 12 September 2013 inked it.The law came into effect on 29 December 2013.

Three steps to apply for CENOMAR:
Let’s get through the online steps that can help you to apply for this certificate in Philippines:

• e-Order : First, you should know the URL wherein you can fill its online application. Below, I’ve mentioned that online address together with the steps for placing its order:

1. Visit https://nsohelpline.com/
2. Scroll a little bit and click on ‘Order Now’ icon. A new window will open.
3. Select ‘Certificate of Singleness, CENOMAR’ among a birth certificate, marriage certificate and death certificate icons.
4. Click the reason of getting this document out of Marriage, Passport/Travel, Employment Abroad (Country), Local Employment, School Requirements, Claims/Benefits/Loans, US Embassy Reverification, Australian Embassy, Consulate General of Spain and Others.

As your prospect is the marriage, click the same.

1. Your selection will land you to its application form. Duly fill your first name, middle name, last name, Gender, Birthday, Birth Place Country, Birth Place Province, Birth Place City and Birthright. Follow this information with parents’ credentials.
2. Submit and receive a ‘Batch Request Number’ and a ‘Request Reference Number’.

• e-Payment: Once you’re done with the form filling, click the next icon. It will direct to the e-Payment page. You need to input the reference number in the topmost field. As you click the submit tab, it will land you to the transaction page. You can transfer its service cost through these:

1. Mastercard Visa (online payment)
2. GlobeGCASH (online payment)
3. Metrobank (over-the-counter)
4. Security Bank (over-the-counter)
5. Bayad Center (over-the-counter)
6. Bancnet (over-the-counter)

• e-Check (status): Although the official website states that it would be delivered within 2 to 7 days, yet you can check its status online through this option. It is updated once your application receives confirmation. How can you check it-have a look:

1. Feed in the reference number.
2. Push the submit button.

How much do you pay for this service?
The authority has revised its price since February, 2018. Under Section 12 of BIR Revenue Regulations No. 4-2018, you need to pay Php 465 per copy of this civil certificate. The hike in price is an outcome of the rules and regulations implementing the Document Stamp Tax (DST) under Republic Act No. 10963. It is also popular as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Its official website apparently states it.

What documents should the recipient have for getting its delivery?

1. Authorization letter from the authorized person. It hands over the right receive the document on behalf of the authorized person.
2. Valid ID of the authorized person
3. Valid ID

Who will be eligible to apply on behalf of the applicant?

1. The owner/applicant
2. The applicant’s parents, direct descendants, guardian, institution legal in-charge of the minor
3. The court/ public official (if the judicial proceeding requires)
4. The nearest relative (if the applicant dies)

What if its delivery is failed?The applicant needs not worry as it is sent the second time. But if, you fail to get it in the second attempt of the delivery, you have to raise a request again. It squarely depends on the case. Otherwise, you can visit any 2GO branch across the nation and get it.