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Legal & Documents  ·  Marriage License

Parental Advice &
Parental Consent

When do you need your parents to sign off before you can get a marriage license in the Philippines? It depends on your age — and the rules are different for each bracket.

Under the Family Code of the Philippines · Articles 14 & 15

Philippine law recognizes that young adults entering marriage may benefit from their parents' guidance. The Family Code requires either parental consent or parental advice depending on the applicant's age — and each carries its own legal weight and consequence if missing.

Parental Consent (Ages 18–20)

If either applicant is 18 years old and above but below 21, the law requires written parental consent before the Local Civil Registrar can issue a marriage license. This is governed by Article 14 of the Family Code of the Philippines.

The consent must come from the father, mother, surviving parent, or legal guardian — in that order of preference.
It must be in writing and executed under oath (notarized).
It must be attached to the marriage license application when submitted to the Local Civil Registrar.
If the parents are separated, the parent actually exercising parental authority gives the consent.
What happens without it? A marriage solemnized without the required parental consent is voidable under Article 45 of the Family Code — meaning it is valid unless annulled. The party whose parent did not consent (if still below 21 at the time of the petition) or the parents themselves may file for annulment within five years after reaching 21.

Parental Advice (Ages 21–25)

If either applicant is 21 years old and above but below 25, the law requires parental advice — not consent. This is governed by Article 15 of the Family Code. The distinction matters: at this age, your parents cannot legally stop you from marrying, but the law gives them a formal channel to share their views.

The advice must come from the father, mother, surviving parent, or guardian.
It must be in writing, attached to the marriage license application.
If the advice is favorable, the application proceeds normally and the license is issued after the standard waiting period.
If the advice is unfavorable, the license will not be released for at least 3 months from the date of filing.
Important: The 3-month wait also applies when no parental advice is submitted at all and the applicant is in the 21–24 age bracket. Showing up without the document does not speed things up — it triggers the wait. Plan accordingly.

At a Glance

Age BracketDocument RequiredEffect If Missing or Unfavorable
Below 18Cannot marryMarriage is void
18 to below 21Parental ConsentLicense will not be issued; if solemnized without it, marriage is voidable
21 to below 25Parental Advice3-month waiting period before license is issued
25 and aboveNone required—

Where to Obtain These Documents

You do not apply for these documents at a government office — the documents are prepared by your parents (or guardian), then submitted alongside your marriage license application.

  1. 1 Your parent or guardian prepares the document. It can be handwritten or typed — use our free downloadable templates below.
  2. 2 Have it notarized at a law office or notary public. Both parental consent and parental advice must be under oath — the Civil Registrar will not accept an unsworn document.
  3. 3 Submit the notarized document to the Local Civil Registrar of the city or municipality where either the bride or groom habitually resides, together with all other marriage license requirements.
Tip: Notary publics are found at law offices and some government offices. Fees typically range from ₱100–₱300. Call ahead to confirm the notary's schedule and requirements.

We have prepared sample drafts for both documents on our Free Downloads page — formatted as sworn statements with notarization sections, ready to fill in and bring to a notary.

What If Parents Refuse or Are Unavailable?

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Consent refused (ages 18–20)

The Local Civil Registrar cannot issue the license. The applicant may petition the court for an order authorizing the marriage if there is no valid reason for the refusal.

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Advice refused (ages 21–24)

Submit a written statement that parental advice was sought but refused or not given. The 3-month waiting period applies. After 3 months, the license can be issued without the advice.

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Parents are deceased

The surviving parent or legal guardian provides the document. If both parents are deceased, the court-appointed legal guardian gives consent. Bring the guardianship documents.

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Parents are abroad

The document can be executed before a Philippine consular officer or a notary public in the foreign country, then authenticated (apostilled or consularized) before submission in the Philippines.

"At 18, marriage requires a parent's signature. At 21, it requires a parent's letter. At 25, it requires only your own heart."

Practical Reminders

Always verify current requirements with the Local Civil Registrar before your appointment — procedures can vary between cities and municipalities.
Bring the original notarized document plus at least one photocopy.
If your parent cannot appear in person, the document must be properly notarized and authenticated. Do not rely on digital signatures for this.
The 3-month waiting period for parental advice (ages 21–24) starts from the date the application is filed — not the date the license is issued. Ask the Civil Registrar to note this on your application.
Plan early. Marriage license applications already include a 10-day mandatory posting period. If you are 21–24 and need parental advice, add 3 months to your timeline if there is any doubt about the advice being submitted promptly.
Note: This article is for general informational purposes and is based on the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209). Requirements and interpretations may vary by locality. For situations involving absent parents, legal guardianship, or documents executed abroad, consult a lawyer or directly coordinate with your Local Civil Registrar.

For a complete list of all marriage license requirements, see our guide: Requirements to Acquire a Marriage License →

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