A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record), also called an Advisory on Marriages, is a document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) certifying that a person has no record of a marriage in the PSA's database, or listing the marriage(s) on record. It is commonly required before getting a marriage license, to confirm that neither party is already married (which would make a new marriage bigamous and void). It is also used for annulment cases, visa and immigration applications, and other legal purposes. A CENOMAR can be requested online through the PSA's serbilis or similar platforms, or at a PSA outlet, and is delivered after processing. It is important to note that a CENOMAR reflects only what is registered with the PSA; an unregistered marriage may not appear, so it is not absolute proof of single status.
Before a couple can marry, they usually need to prove they are free to marry. The document for that is the CENOMAR.
What a CENOMAR Is
A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record), also called an Advisory on Marriages, is issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It certifies that a person has no record of marriage in the PSA database — or, if there is one, it lists the marriage(s) on record.
Why It Is Needed to Marry
A CENOMAR is commonly required before the issuance of a marriage license, to confirm that neither party is already married. This matters because a marriage entered into while a prior valid marriage subsists is bigamous and void — and bigamy is also a crime. The CENOMAR helps prevent this.
Other Uses
Beyond marriage, a CENOMAR is used for:
- Annulment or nullity cases (to establish civil status);
- Visa and immigration applications;
- Claims and benefits requiring proof of civil status; and
- Other legal or administrative purposes.
How to Get One
A CENOMAR may be requested:
- Online through the PSA's official serbilis (or similar) platform; or
- At a PSA outlet or authorized center,
after providing the required details and paying the fee, with delivery after processing. The applicant generally needs the correct personal details and, for third-party requests, authorization.
An Important Limitation
A CENOMAR reflects only what is registered with the PSA. If a marriage was never registered, it may not appear on the CENOMAR. So a “no marriage” result is strong evidence but not absolute proof of single status — an unregistered prior marriage could still exist.
Practical Takeaways
- A CENOMAR from the PSA certifies whether a person has a marriage on record;
- It is commonly required for a marriage license and used for annulment, visa, and benefit purposes;
- It reflects only registered marriages — an unregistered marriage may not show, so it is not absolute proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CENOMAR? A Certificate of No Marriage Record (Advisory on Marriages) issued by the PSA, certifying that a person has no record of marriage in the PSA database, or listing the marriage(s) on record.
Why do I need a CENOMAR to get married? It is commonly required before a marriage license is issued, to confirm neither party is already married. A marriage while a prior valid marriage subsists is bigamous and void, and bigamy is a crime.
How do I get a CENOMAR? You can request it online through the PSA's official platform or at a PSA outlet, after providing the required personal details and paying the fee, with delivery after processing.
Is a CENOMAR absolute proof that someone is single? No. It reflects only marriages registered with the PSA. An unregistered marriage may not appear, so a no-marriage result is strong evidence but not absolute proof of single status.
This commentary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
If you have questions about your rights or options under Philippine law, our firm is available to assist. You may reach us via Viber or WhatsApp, call us at 0995 433 5550, or send an email to vivasnobles@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.