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If you require consular assistance please email your enquiry to [email protected].
The Consular Section is open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays.
For after-hours emergencies please call +63 2 7757 8100 and follow the prompts to transfer (toll free) to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after hours Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra or call direct on +61 2 6261 3305.
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General information
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident planning to marry overseas, you may be asked to provide a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).
You may also be asked to provide other evidence or documentation from Australia. Depending on your circumstances, this could include your birth certificate, divorce certificate, or your deceased partner’s death certificate.
Before attending your appointment, contact the receiving authority to confirm exactly what you require. Your marriage celebrant (or similar) may also be able to assist.
Rules and requirements vary across the country. In most cases, you may need a CNI from the Australian Embassy. In others, you may need a 'Single Status Certificate' or a 'No Record Result Certificate' instead of a CNI. You can get these from your state or territory births, deaths and marriages registry. NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, TAS, ACT, WA, NT
Before booking an appointment for a CNI, you must first contact the marrying authority (i.e. courts; religious institutions; city/municipal offices) to inquire the requirements in getting married in the Philippines.
The Philippine Government normally does not accept a CNI issued more than 6 months prior to the date of marriage.
How to apply for a CNI
To apply for a CNI, you (the applicant) must be present. You must also
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
- present circumstance-specific supporting documentation pertaining to both you AND your partner; and
- complete an Application for Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).
DO NOT SIGN THE APPLICATION BEFORE ATTENDING YOUR APPOINTMENT. We must witness you sign at the time you submit your application.
Failure to provide this information on the day of appointment may result in your appointment being cancelled.
You will receive the CNI on the same day.
Payment for CNIs:
Fees apply. See full list of Consular Fee on this link - Consular fees
Further Information on CNI
DIVORCES OBTAINED IN NON-COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
If you have been divorced overseas, you should contact your solicitor before leaving Australia to confirm that your divorce is recognised under Australian law. Your marriage in the Philippines will not be recognised in Australia unless your divorce is recognised under Australian law.
DIVORCE OF AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS PREVIOUSLY MARRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES
Foreign divorce decrees are not automatically recognized in the Philippines. Australian nationals who were previously married in the Philippines and are intending to remarry in the Philippines after obtaining a divorce in Australia should check with National Statistics Office/Philippine Statistics Authority in the Philippines to confirm their divorce decree has been acknowledged by the local government.
CNI FOR AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS (NOT AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS)
Australian residents who are not Australian citizens must apply for a CNI from their country's embassy or consulate in the Philippines.
HOW TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENCE
A marriage licence is issued by the Philippine authorities and either you or your intended spouse (or both) must apply for this at the local civil registrar (City Hall) in the town or district where your intended spouse normally lives. In accordance with Philippine law, it is necessary to wait ten days from the date of application before a licence can be issued. Evidence of your identity and divorce/death of a previous spouse (if applicable) is usually required by the Philippine authorities.
PRIVACY POLICY
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses third-party software (Setmore) to manage the Australian Embassy's appointments. Your personal information (including your name and contact details) will be collected by DFAT via Setmore to book your appointment and for related purposes. By proceeding with this booking, you are consenting to the collection of this information by Setmore on DFAT’s behalf for these purposes. If this information is not collected, DFAT’s ability to arrange your appointment will be limited. Your personal information will be handled by Setmore in accordance with Setmore’s Privacy Policy, and by DFAT in accordance with DFAT’s Privacy Policy.
Consular Section Contact Details
Consular Section
Australian Embassy
Level 23 Tower 2, RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200, Metro Manila, The Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 7757 8100
Facsimile: +63 2 7757 8344
Email: [email protected]
List of Embassy Holidays