Previously Married? Annulment, Death Certificate & Other Proofs Explained

Being previously married does not block a civil wedding in the Philippines, but you must show the right proof that you are legally free to marry. If your timeline is tight, a detail focused planner and coordinator can help pull documents, set appointments, and keep follow ups on track.

Who needs extra documents

• Widowed
• Annulment granted or marriage declared void
• Divorced abroad and now marrying in the Philippines
• Foreign citizen previously married and now marrying a Filipino
• Cases of presumptive death declared by a court

If foreign documents are involved or one partner is a non Filipino, coordinate requirements with your LCR and skim the companion guide on Civil Wedding for Foreigners Fil Foreigner Couples Extra Documents and Tips for embassy and translation basics.

Quick matrix of proofs

Tip
Bring originals and photocopies. If any document is not in English or Filipino, prepare a certified translation and check if an apostille is required.

How to prepare step by step

1. List your status widowed, annulled or void, foreign divorce, or presumptive death.
2. Secure core proofs Decision and Finality, Divorce Decree, Death Certificate, or Court Judgment.
3. Handle translations and apostille for non Philippine documents.
4. Request PSA updates annotated marriage record or Advisory on Marriages if applicable.
5. Verify with your LCR exact formats they accept and any city specific templates.
6. Book your officiant only after your paperwork is complete and the posting window is set. Confirm jurisdiction with available officiants.

Need a refresher on where to file and release timing The essentials live in Marriage License in the Philippines Where to Apply Validity and FAQs.

Notes by situation

Widowed

• PSA Death Certificate of your former spouse
• Your PSA Advisory on Marriages should reflect the prior marriage and current status
• If the death occurred abroad, provide the foreign death certificate, certified translation, and apostille as required

Annulment or marriage declared void

• Court Decision and Certificate of Finality are the gold standard
• Request your PSA record with the court annotation once released
• Expect the LCR to check names, dates, and case numbers for consistency

Foreign divorce

• If a Filipino party obtained divorce abroad, secure a Philippine court recognition of that foreign judgment before filing for a new Marriage License
• After recognition, request PSA records with the annotation
• If only the foreign partner is divorced, the embassy’s Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry plus the divorce decree is usually required

Presumptive death

• Provide the final court judgment declaring presumptive death
• Ask when the PSA annotation will appear and which copy the LCR prefers in the interim

Fixing name and date discrepancies

• Bring old IDs, baptismal or birth records, and an Affidavit of Discrepancy if advised by your LCR
• Minor clerical issues can slow filing; resolve before the posting period starts

Filing flow once documents are ready

1. Gather IDs, PSA records, and your status proof
2. Attend premarriage counseling if required
3. File at the LCR where either party resides and pay fees
4. Complete the 10 day posting period
5. Claim your license and hold the ceremony within the 120 day validity
6. Ensure prompt filing to the LCR after the rite so your PSA copy can be requested on time

Timelines and expectations

• Court documents can take weeks to months to release certified copies
• PSA annotations often trail the court’s release date; ask for typical windows at your LCR
• Build buffer days if your target date is near travel or work deadlines

Common pitfalls and easy fixes

• Untranslated foreign documents get certified translations early
• No apostille where required check the issuing country’s process
• Mismatched spellings align passport and PSA spellings before filing
• Officiant booked outside jurisdiction verify venue coverage first

What to bring on ceremony day

• Valid IDs, Marriage License, and status proofs
• Two witnesses of legal age with IDs
• Contract pages with names exactly as in your IDs and PSA records

After the wedding

• Track when your local record is ready and when PSA encoding typically appears
• If you will change your surname or update benefits, prepare multiple PSA copies
• For a simple post rite keepsake, schedule a short set with dependable photographers close to your venue so you do not lose time to traffic

Final wrap

Extra documents prove your legal capacity and prevent registration delays. Sort the court papers, complete translations and apostille, then file with confidence. For the full legal to celebration playbook across requirements, costs, and PSA timing, close the loop with the pillar walkthrough in the Civil Weddings in the Philippines Requirements Costs and Step by Step Process.