Things to consider when choosing wedding officiants in the Philippines

Vet the officiant’s credentials and legal authority

• Are you an authorized Solemnizing Officer (SO) in the Philippines? What is your PSA S.O. No. and validity dates?
• Can we verify your registration and jurisdiction (e.g., nationwide vs. city/diocese only)?
• If you’re a judge or mayor, can you legally solemnize in our ceremony location and on our chosen date/time?
• If you’re a religious minister, does at least one of us belong to your church/sect as required by law?
• Will you provide a copy of your ID/S.O. credentials for our records?

Tip: Couples commonly verify an officiant’s authority via the PSA’s Solemnizing Officers Information System (SOIS); Family Code Article 7 lists who can legally officiate.

Legal paperwork and timelines (Philippine context)

• What marriage license will you accept and from which LGU? By when do we need to secure it given the 10-day posting and 120-day validity?
• If we believe we may qualify for a license exemption (e.g., 5-year cohabitation under Article 34), what proof and affidavits do you require?
• Do you help review our documents (PSA birth certificates, CENOMARs, IDs, parental consent/advice if applicable) before the wedding to avoid issues?
• Will you file our Certificate of Marriage with the Local Civil Registrar (LCR)? By when? How do you confirm successful registration?
• When should we expect our PSA marriage certificate to appear in PSA records, and do you assist with follow-ups/endorsements if there are delays?

Ceremony structure and personalization

• What ceremony formats do you offer (civil, religious, non-denominational, bilingual Tagalog/English, local dialect)?
• Can we customize the script, vows, readings, and procession? May we review and approve the draft?
• How long does your ceremony typically run (in minutes) and can you adapt to our program timeline?
• Do you include explanations of Filipino wedding traditions (e.g., veil & cord/yugal, arras/arras/arrhae, unity candle)? Can you lead these rituals respectfully and succinctly?
• Are personal stories and light humor okay, or do you prefer a strictly formal tone?

Catholic or other faith-specific requirements (if applicable)

• What canonical requirements must we complete (e.g., Pre-Cana, canonical interview, marriage banns, updated baptismal/confirmation certificates)?
• For an out-of-parish wedding, what endorsements/permits and parish coordination are needed, and who will process them?
• Are there liturgical limits on music, readers, photographers, or décor we should brief our vendors on?

Interfaith, mixed-nationality, or destination weddings

• Have you officiated interfaith or mixed-culture weddings? What adjustments do you recommend?
• If one of us is a foreigner, what proof of status do you require (e.g., Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage/CLCCM)? Will you review embassy/consular requirements with us?
• For destination or outdoor weddings (beach/mountain), do you foresee any jurisdiction or permit issues?

Availability, logistics, and program flow

• Are you available on our exact date, call time, and location? How early do you arrive and how long can you stay?
• Will you attend the rehearsal? Is there an extra fee?
• What attire do you typically wear, and can you align with our dress code/theme?
• What are your microphone/PA needs? Can you work with a lapel mic and no lectern? Do you bring a backup mic/reader’s copy?
• How do you coordinate with our planner/emcee/venue on cues (processional timing, ring/vow prompts, photo pauses)?

Fees, inclusions, and contracts

• What’s your professional fee/donation and what’s included (script writing, travel, rehearsal, on-site filing, copies of documents)?
• What out-of-town or overtime charges apply? Are lodging/per diem required beyond X km?
• Do you issue a Contract/Service Agreement and official receipt?
• What are your payment terms, booking retainer, and reschedule/cancellation/refund policies?

Witnesses and signings

• Can you confirm we need two witnesses of legal age present at the ceremony? If our chosen witnesses are absent, can your team stand in?
• Where will the signing happen (before/after the rites), and who prepares multiple signed copies for LCR/PSA?

Document handling and after-care

• Who couriers the signed Certificate of Marriage to the LCR, and how do you track it?
• Do you give us a scan or photocopy of everything we signed on the day?
• Will you guide us on LCR follow-up, advance endorsements, or when to start requesting our PSA copy?

Contingencies and ethics

• What’s your backup plan if you’re sick/delayed (network of SOs, equivalent credentials, same script)?
• How do you handle weather disruptions or venue power issues during outdoor ceremonies?
• Are there any legal/ethical lines you won’t cross (e.g., officiating outside jurisdiction, skipping required documents)?

Quick checklist you can send to an officiant

• PSA S.O. No. + jurisdiction + validity dates; for judges/mayors, confirmation you can legally officiate at our venue/date
• Marriage license plan (LGU, posting, validity) or Article 34 path if applicable
• Who files our marriage certificate to the LCR, and expected PSA availability window
• Ceremony script options, Filipino traditions support, language, length
• Fees & inclusions, travel/overtime, contract, receipts
• Rehearsal, arrival time, attire, sound setup
• Witnesses (2, legal age), signing flow, copies
• Backup officiant plan and response time