CENOMAR Philippines: How to Get Certificate of No Marriage 2026

Key Takeaways

• CENOMAR stands for “Certificate of No Marriage” - proof your partner was never married
• Required for marriage in Philippines AND for K-1/spousal visa applications
• Can be obtained online through PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) in 3-7 days
• Costs ₱210 ($3.80) online or ₱365 ($6.60) for rush processing
• Valid for 6 months from issue date - timing matters
• Different from “Certificate of No Marriage Record” (SENA) - you need the PSA version

What is CENOMAR? (And Why You Can’t Skip It)

CENOMAR is the Certificate of No Marriage issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It’s an official government document that proves your Filipina partner has never been married.

Think of it as the Philippines’ way of saying: “We checked our records. She’s single.”

Why It’s Non-Negotiable

You’ll need CENOMAR for:

• Getting married in the Philippines - The local civil registrar won’t process your marriage license without it
• K-1 Fiancée Visa - USCIS requires proof she’s free to marry (complete K-1 visa guide)
• Spousal Visa (CR-1/IR-1) - Same deal if you’re already married
• Schengen Visa applications - European embassies often request it (Schengen visa guide)
• Annulment proceedings - If she was previously married and got annulled

CENOMAR vs. SENA: Know the Difference

This trips up a lot of guys. There are actually two types of “no marriage” certificates in the Philippines:

1. CENOMAR (PSA)

• Full name: Certificate of No Marriage
• Issued by: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
• What it means: No marriage record found in the national civil registry
• Accepted for: Everything - visas, marriage applications, legal proceedings
• Cost: ₱210-365

2. SENA (Local Civil Registry)

• Full name: Certificate of No Marriage Record
• Issued by: Local Civil Registrar (city/municipality level)
• What it means: No marriage record in that specific city
• Accepted for: Almost nothing internationally
• Cost: ₱50-100

Bottom line: Always get the PSA CENOMAR. The local SENA is worthless for visa applications.

How to Get CENOMAR Online (Step-by-Step)

The PSA finally dragged itself into the 21st century. You can now order CENOMAR online and get it delivered. Here’s how:

Option 1: PSA Serbilis (Official Portal)

Step 1: Go to psaserbilis.com.ph

Step 2: Create an account

• Use her email address
• Verify via email confirmation

Step 3: Select “CENOMAR” from the document list

Step 4: Fill out the application form

• Full name (exactly as it appears on birth certificate)
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city/municipality)
• Mother’s maiden name
• Father’s full name

Step 5: Choose delivery method

• Standard delivery: 3-7 business days (₱210 + shipping)
• Rush processing: 1-2 business days (₱365 + shipping)
• Pick-up: Available at PSA offices (₱210, same day)

Step 6: Pay online

• Credit/debit card
• GCash
• PayMaya
• Bank transfer

Step 7: Wait for delivery

• Track via reference number
• Delivered by courier (LBC or similar)

Option 2: Authorized PSA Serbilis Centers

Can’t do it online? She can visit any PSA Serbilis Center:

Locations:

• SM Malls (most branches have PSA counters)
• Robinsons Malls
• LBC branches
• Standalone PSA offices

What to bring:

• Valid government ID (original + photocopy)
• ₱210 cash
• Pen (they never have pens)

Processing time: 3-7 business days for delivery, or same-day pick-up at main PSA offices.

Option 3: Third-Party Services (For Expats)

If you’re handling this from abroad and she’s “too busy” (red flag, but okay), you can use:

• HelpLine.ph - Authorized PSA partner, delivers internationally
• PSA Birth Certificate - Another authorized service
• Joanna Delivery Service - Popular for expats

Cost: Usually $15-25 including international shipping.

Common CENOMAR Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Problem 1: “No Record Found”

What it means: PSA has no birth record on file for her.

Why it happens:

• Birth was never registered (common in rural areas)
• Name spelling mismatch
• Birth registered under a different name

Solution:

1. Get a Late Birth Registration from the local civil registrar where she was born
2. Wait 6-12 months for PSA to update their database
3. Then apply for CENOMAR

This is a legitimate issue in the provinces. But if she’s from Manila and “doesn’t have a birth certificate,” something’s off.

Problem 2: Marriage Record Shows Up (But She Says She’s Single)

What it means: She was married. Period.

Possible scenarios:

• She’s still married (run)
• She got annulled but the PSA database hasn’t updated yet
• She got married, never registered it, but someone else did

Solution:

• If annulled: Get the Decree of Annulment and Annotated Marriage Certificate showing the annulment
• If divorced abroad: Get the Recognition of Foreign Divorce decree from Philippine courts (learn about marrying a Filipina with previous marriage)
• If still married: You can’t marry her. Full stop.

Problem 3: Name Doesn’t Match Birth Certificate

What it means: She’s using a different name now.

Common reasons:

• Married name (even if separated)
• Adopted name
• Nickname used professionally
• Spelling variation

Solution: Apply for CENOMAR using her birth certificate name, not her Facebook name or nickname. The PSA only recognizes legal names.

Problem 4: CENOMAR Shows “Married” But She Got Annulled

What it means: The annulment hasn’t been reflected in PSA records yet.

Solution:

• Get the Annotated Marriage Certificate from PSA (shows the annulment notation)
• Submit both the Annotated Marriage Certificate AND the Court Decree of Annulment for visa applications
• This is actually better than CENOMAR for proving she’s free to marry

How Long is CENOMAR Valid?

Official validity: 6 months from the date of issue.

Practical reality:

• For Philippine marriage: Most local civil registrars want it issued within 3 months
• For K-1 visa: USCIS accepts up to 6 months, but fresher is better
• For Schengen visa: Usually 3 months

Strategy: Don’t get it too early. Wait until you’re actually ready to file paperwork.

CENOMAR for Different Visa Types

K-1 Fiancée Visa (USA)

Required: Yes, absolutely.

When to get it: After you receive the NOA1 (receipt notice), before the interview.

Format: Original PSA-issued CENOMAR, with PSA security paper and seal.

Translation: Not required if it’s in English (PSA issues bilingual documents).

Spousal Visa (CR-1/IR-1)

Required: Only if you got married outside the Philippines.

Why: USCIS needs proof she was free to marry at the time of your wedding.

Alternative: If you married in the Philippines, your PSA-registered marriage certificate already proves this.

Schengen Visa (Europe)

Required: Sometimes, depends on the embassy.

Most likely to ask: German, Austrian, and Swiss embassies.

When: Usually only if you’re applying for a “join partner” visa, not tourist visa.

UK Fiancée Visa

Required: Yes.

Format: Original PSA CENOMAR.

Timing: Must be dated within 3 months of application.

Red Flags: When CENOMAR Reveals Problems

Here’s what I’ve seen go wrong:

She Keeps Delaying Getting It

Excuse: “The PSA office is closed” / “I’m too busy” / “I’ll do it next week”

Reality: She’s probably married or hiding something.

Action: Offer to pay for it yourself through an online service. If she still resists, walk away.

She Sends You a Blurry Photo

Excuse: “My phone camera is bad”

Reality: She’s sending you a fake or someone else’s CENOMAR.

Action: Insist on the original mailed to you, or a high-resolution scan showing the PSA security features.

The CENOMAR Shows a Different Age

Excuse: “I told you I was 28, but I’m actually 35”

Reality: She lied about her age. What else is she lying about?

Action: Decide if you can live with the dishonesty. Age gaps are normal in Philippines, but lying isn’t.

She Says She “Lost” the CENOMAR

Excuse: “I had it but I can’t find it”

Reality: Either incredibly disorganized (possible) or hiding something (more likely).

Action: Just order a new one. It takes 3 days. If she won’t do that, you have your answer.

Cost Breakdown

Service	Cost (PHP)	Cost (USD)	Processing Time
PSA Online (Standard)	₱210	$3.80	3-7 days
PSA Online (Rush)	₱365	$6.60	1-2 days
PSA Office (Walk-in)	₱210	$3.80	Same day (pick-up)
SM/Robinson Counter	₱210	$3.80	3-7 days
International Service	$15-25	-	7-14 days

Shipping costs: Add ₱150-300 for courier delivery within Philippines.

Documents Needed to Apply

For her to get CENOMAR, she needs:

• Full name (as it appears on birth certificate)
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city/municipality)
• Mother’s maiden name
• Father’s full name
• Valid government ID (if applying in person)

She does NOT need:

• Your information (you’re not on her CENOMAR)
• Proof of relationship
• Birth certificate (though it helps if there’s a name mismatch)

What the CENOMAR Actually Looks Like

Authentic PSA CENOMAR has:

• PSA logo and seal (watermarked)
• Security paper (with embedded fibers)
• QR code (for verification)
• Reference number
• Date of issue
• Statement: “This is to certify that as of [date], there is no record of marriage of [name] in the database of the Philippine Statistics Authority”

Red flags for fake CENOMAR:

• Printed on regular paper
• No PSA seal or watermark
• Spelling errors
• No reference number
• Issued by “Local Civil Registrar” instead of PSA

Timeline: When to Get CENOMAR

Here’s the optimal timing for different scenarios:

Planning to Marry in Philippines

• 4 months before wedding: Get CENOMAR
• 3 months before: Apply for marriage license (requires CENOMAR) and complete pamamanhikan tradition
• 10 days after license: Can legally marry

K-1 Fiancée Visa

• After NOA1: Start gathering documents
• 2 months before interview: Get CENOMAR
• At interview: Submit original CENOMAR

Already Married, Filing Spousal Visa

• Only if married outside Philippines: Get CENOMAR from before wedding date
• If married in Philippines: Not needed (marriage certificate proves it)

Alternatives to CENOMAR (When Applicable)

If She Was Previously Married:

Option 1: Annotated Marriage Certificate

• Shows the marriage AND the annulment notation
• Issued by PSA
• Proves she’s now free to marry

Option 2: Decree of Annulment

• Court document declaring marriage void
• Must be registered with PSA
• Submit alongside annotated marriage certificate

Option 3: Advisory on Marriage

• PSA document showing marriage status
• Less common, but accepted by some agencies

If She’s a Widow:

Death Certificate of Spouse

• Issued by PSA
• Proves previous marriage ended by death
• Submit instead of CENOMAR

Pro Tips from 10+ Years in Philippines

1. Get it early in the relationship Don’t wait until you’re filing visa paperwork. Ask for it casually after a few months. Her reaction tells you everything.

2. Order it yourself Don’t rely on her to do it. Pay the $4 and order it through PSA Serbilis. You’ll have it in a week.

3. Get multiple copies Order 2-3 copies at once. You’ll need originals for different applications (marriage license, visa, etc.).

4. Check the expiration Don’t order it 8 months before you need it. It’s only valid for 6 months.

5. Verify it’s real Use the PSA verification system online. Takes 30 seconds and saves you from fraud.

6. Keep digital copies Scan it in high resolution. You’ll need to email copies to lawyers, embassies, etc.

7. Don’t accept local civil registry versions Only PSA CENOMAR is accepted internationally. Don’t let her convince you the local version is “the same thing.”

What Happens If She Can’t Get CENOMAR?

Legitimate reasons:

• Late birth registration needed: Common in rural areas. Takes 6-12 months to fix.
• Name change in process: If she legally changed her name, PSA needs time to update.
• System error: PSA database occasionally has glitches. Can be resolved with a manual search request.

Sketchy reasons:

• “Too expensive” (it’s $4)
• “Too busy” (it takes 10 minutes online)
• “I’ll do it later” (for months)
• “My family has to do it” (no, she can do it herself)

If she legitimately can’t get it:

• Help her with late birth registration
• Hire a lawyer if needed (costs ₱5,000-15,000)
• Be patient but set a deadline

If she’s making excuses:

• Hire a private investigator in Philippines (costs $200-500)
• Check local civil registry yourself
• Consider that she might be hiding a marriage

The Verdict

CENOMAR is not optional. It’s not negotiable. It’s the foundation of proving your Filipina partner is free to marry.

The good news: It’s cheap, fast, and easy to get if she’s actually single.

The bad news: If she’s dragging her feet or making excuses, you probably already know what that means.

Get it early. Verify it’s real. Keep multiple copies. And if something doesn’t add up, trust your gut.

I’ve seen too many guys ignore the warning signs because they were “in love.” Don’t be that guy.

FAQ

How much does CENOMAR cost in the Philippines?

CENOMAR costs ₱210 ($3.80) for standard processing through PSA Serbilis online or at PSA offices. Rush processing costs ₱365 ($6.60). Third-party services that deliver internationally charge $15-25. Avoid local civil registry “certificates” - they’re cheaper but worthless for visa applications.

How long does it take to get CENOMAR?

Standard PSA CENOMAR takes 3-7 business days for delivery. Rush processing takes 1-2 business days. Same-day pick-up is available at main PSA offices in major cities if you apply in person before 10 AM. International delivery through authorized services takes 7-14 days.

Can I get CENOMAR online for my Filipina fiancée?

Yes, you can order CENOMAR online through PSA Serbilis (psaserbilis.com.ph) using her information. You’ll need her full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names. Payment can be made via credit card, GCash, or PayMaya. The document will be delivered to a Philippine address.

What’s the difference between CENOMAR and Certificate of No Marriage Record?

CENOMAR is issued by PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) and searches the national civil registry database. Certificate of No Marriage Record (SENA) is issued by local civil registrars and only searches that specific city’s records. For visa applications and legal purposes, you MUST get the PSA CENOMAR - the local version is not accepted.

Is CENOMAR required for K-1 fiancée visa?

Yes, CENOMAR is absolutely required for K-1 fiancée visa applications. USCIS needs proof your Filipina fiancée is free to marry. Submit the original PSA-issued CENOMAR at the embassy interview. It must be dated within 6 months of the interview, though 3 months is safer.

What if CENOMAR shows she’s married but she says she’s single?

If CENOMAR shows a marriage record, she was legally married in the Philippines. She’s either still married (major red flag), got an annulment that hasn’t been updated in PSA records yet, or got divorced abroad. Ask for the Decree of Annulment or Recognition of Foreign Divorce. If she can’t provide either, she’s still married and cannot legally marry you.

How long is CENOMAR valid?

CENOMAR is officially valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, most Philippine civil registrars prefer it to be issued within 3 months for marriage applications. For visa applications, fresher is always better - don’t order it more than 2-3 months before you need it.

Can CENOMAR be fake?

Yes, fake CENOMARs exist. Verify authenticity by checking for PSA security paper, watermarks, official seal, and QR code. You can verify the reference number on the PSA website. Red flags include: printed on regular paper, no PSA seal, spelling errors, or issued by “Local Civil Registrar” instead of PSA.