Certificate of Singleness in the Philippines (CENOMAR)
The certificate of singleness, also known as CENOMAR, is a piece of paper assuring that you are indeed single. Yes, it’s actually a legal document in the Philippines, something you can request for. These days, anybody can masquerade as a single person; even married men or women, who have two or three kids and have been married for ten years, can pretend to be single just to get what they want. Of course, the CENOMAR can be one way for you to ascertain that you are not being fooled.
The certificate of singleness, known by others as the certificate of no marriage, is available in the Philippines. You may get it from the National Statistics Office (NSO). When you drop by the NSO to apply for a certificate of singleness, you will need to supply the following information:
- Place of birth
- Birthday
- The number of copies you need
- Why you need the certificate of singleness
- Your father’s name
- Your mother’s maiden name
- Your complete name (of course)
- Name and complete address of the person/s requesting the certification
Go ahead, get your certificate of singleness! And if you have been hearing rumors about your partner having a spouse or children on the side, why not ask him/her to avail of one as well? Either that or you are going to have to take their word for it.
Yes, in the world we live in, being single needs certification. That’s funny in so many levels, yet serious at the same time.
I have this friend who got married but few years later got separated. The church marriage was officially endorsed to NSO but the weird thing is, the husband gave my friend CENOMAR as parting gift. (She said her husband got connections inside NSO.)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I'm kinda not surprised. "Connections" get you anywhere. But not everybody has connections, so at least the CENOMAR weeds out a fraction of single-wannabes. :)
ReplyDeletehi there..i want to ask something sana about this singleness certification...anybody there?
ReplyDeleteI thought "anybody there?" was already the question. Hehe, kidding. Ask away. :)
ReplyDeletehehe,nice joke:)by the way call me miyu,im here in japan as of now..i had a prob kasi about registration of my two kids here,the city hall here wants my certificate of singleness,pero merried kasi ko dyan sa pinas nung 2009 kaya nakarating ako dito,then dito na ko na separate,after ng divorce dito nagka anak ako sa ibang hapon,he want sana na iregister sa name nya yung mga bata kaso nga wala akong singleness,can you give me some advice pano ko makakakuha ng singleness na to in an easy way?hope you can adviced me...im waiting for your response..
ReplyDeleteI'm not an expert on law, but if you're married in the Philippines, even if you're married to someone else in another country, then your first marriage here is the one recognized by our government. In other words, unless your first marriage gets annulled, you won't get a certificate of singleness. (I don't think even a separation in the Philippines will get you a certificate of singleness since that makes you "separated but not single". :(
ReplyDeleteask ko lang po kung true na me bagong patakaran ngayon sa pagkuha ng singleness?im from japan nagfile ako ng annullment dyan sa pinas tapos na po yung kaso but the problem is yung singleness daw di marerelease kasi me bagong patakaran ang nso at me kelangan akong ipasang requirements..nung sept. 9 lang daw pinatupad ang patakarang ito..is it true ba?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I can't say if that's true. I think your case may need looking into, something I can't do on an official basis, so I suggest that you contact NSO for your query. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeletehi.. I have a question.. Im married in the Philippines pero hiwalay na kami, hindi ako nag change ng last name ko.. andito ako sa States. pag mai singleness certificate ba ako pwede ako mag pakasal? ma trace parin ba nila ma married ako? thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh dear anonymous, as to whether the government will find out or not that you're married is not the question... the question is, why are you even thinking of falsifying documents? If you do and you get caught, your "new" marriage becomes null and void!
ReplyDeleteTry to do it the right way. Go through the right channels. Don't ask how to do things so as "not to get traced". I hope you get my drift. :)
I got married last 2005 but I haven't take any certificate from Nso yet is it possible that I can still able to get an Singleness Certificate?
ReplyDeleteThree years ago, I went to NSO to get a copy of my cenomar, two of them to be exact, one for me and one for my ex-husband. Amazingly, the city hall misspelled my name by two letters, so when I got my cenomar copy my ex was married to someone who appeared to be me but on my cenomar I'm very much single. I didn't bother to fix it because we have been separated for 11 years now and he already has his own grown children. I guess in a way, it's God's way of putting things into perspective for me, I don't know. Recently, I learned that through his "connections" inside NSO because one of their "church of christ" mates works there, our marriage registry was destroyed. I didn't really cared anymore since I am very much happy that I can move on with my life as it should be :)
ReplyDeleteI badly need help here I need a singlleness certificate. But when I get one it said that I'm married I don't even remember that I'm married to someone I don't even know that guy it was like 10 years ago I need my my certifacte badly for my baby badly to let her father recognized him here in Japan
ReplyDeleteIchigo, I'm sorry but I don't think I can help you. It's your government registrar whom you should be asking for help. There is nothing I can do or say to straighten out whatever mistake there is regarding your supposed married status. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous #11, please read my previous comment (#10). Seriously, why are you thinking of falsifying documents? Here's my advice: don't.
ReplyDeleteHi, I am an American and my fiancee was married in the Philippines to a Japanese. She divorced this man in Japan. Is this a true statement- In this case, please provide the Certificates of Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by NSO which provide a chronological listing of all applicant’s marriages along with the applicant’s original divorce certificate issued by respective Japanese authorities.
ReplyDeleteUpon receipt of the above described documents, a consular officer will determine whether the evidences are sufficient to meet the requirement. Any help would be great, Thanks
Hi, Pat! Where did you get that statement? I can't say if that statement is accurate. Perhaps it's best to ask the Philippine Embassy. Good luck!
ReplyDeletehi stef,
ReplyDeletei got married to japanese last 2006 but i got already divorced last 2011 here in japan,can i get singleness cerficate in philippines? even without proccesing any documents to philippines?
pls reply, thanks.....
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm starting to feel like a help desk! :) Please ask the embassy as they are more qualified to deal with your case. Good luck!
ReplyDeletehi po! my ask lng po ako. May friend po ako na my prolem...Pano po maaasikaso ang pakikipaghiwalay sa hapon na asawa? nasa pinas npo xa what po kaya gagawin niya? salamat po.
ReplyDeleteHi po! ask ko lng po.. Pano daw po ang gagawin paramakipaghiwalay sa hapon.. matagal na dw po xa umalis sa puder nung hapon tps umuwi nlng po xa go matapos ang visa..Ano daw po kaya ang pwdeng gawin niya para maayos ang pakikipaghiwalay niya??? salamat po.
ReplyDelete"Pano daw po ang gagawin paramakipaghiwalay sa hapon?"
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I guess I have to repeat myself to get the message through: I'm not the person you should be asking this. Shouldn't you be going to the embassy to ask for advice on separation, divorce, and other legalities concerning marriage? Good luck!
hi..i have a friend and he is american citizen now. he want to get married here in the philippines. he is a filipino and he leave philippines when he was 20 years old. do you think he still need to get a cenomar from NSO kahit na american citizen na cya ngayon?
ReplyDeletehi po!ask ko lang po sana kung pwede ko asikasuhin dito sa pinas ang papers ko....divorced na po kami ng asawa kong hapon pero hindi ko na naasikaso ang papel ko dun sa philippine embassy ng japan para masingle uli ako....pede po kaya asikasuhin ko yun dito sa pinas?
ReplyDeletepls.help po
Please ask the embassy. I'm not affiliated with the embassy of any country, so any advice I give regarding Cenomars may be wrong.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, what if i gave wrong advice? Isn't it wise to always go directly to the center/ institution/ department/ company in question to get the RIGHT advice? :) Just sayin'.
Oh, and good luck!
hi stef!! i would like to ask,if, is it possible to marry my boyfriend even though he is married with someone, but the hi, im lleca problem is, theyre just only married in papers. ni hindi sila kinasal sa harap ng judge or someone na kumakasal, pinagawa lng nila ang papers, at pina legal sa nso. my tatak na din ng dfa at embassy.
ReplyDeletepero hnd pirma ng boyfriend ko. ano ang mangyayari sa amin? anong dapat gawin. they are already seperated! and my boyfriend wants to marry me. ang hirap kasi magsama dito sa dubai, kung walang papers na pinanghahawakan.
Hi there! Thanks for dropping by my blog. But as a reply to your query, I guess I'm going to have to repeat what I told one other person (the person who commented right before you, if you've read the comments) who asked me for legal advice:
ReplyDeleteKindly take the time to ask an embassy employee or authorized representative. I'm not a lawyer or paralegal, nor am I affiliated with the embassy of any country, so any advice I give regarding the certificate of no marriage (cenomar) may be wrong. It's always wise to go directly to the center/ institution/ department/ company in question to get the RIGHT advice, yes? :) Good luck, Ileca!
Thanks stef! i will... god bless...
ReplyDeletehello stef, nice blog about cenomar. i just want to ask , my brother recently got married to a filipina immigrant in america, she has no cenomar but what she showed were thick divorce papers, saying she is still married to -------. I want to ask, does it make their civil wedding valid? the church denied their application for marriage , and advises the girl should file an annulment first or dissolution of her first marriage. my brother has cenomar and his papers were ok, its the girl who has issues about her status.
ReplyDeleteask q lng po me mga issue b n ngyyari k kht kinasal kna s huwes e single kp rin pagdting sa NSO? PLS reply thanks a lot..
ReplyDeletehi stef..ask q lang po qng me issue b dto s pinas n kht nagpakasal n s huwes e single prin pagdting s NSO?
ReplyDeleteHi, Hazel and Markie, thank you for dropping by! I hope you've been reading the comment thread - it just might reveal what I have to say when people ask me for legal advice, which is:
ReplyDeletePlease ask the embassy or NSO regarding your queries. Unfortunately, I'm a doctor, not a lawyer, nor am I an embassy or NSO affiliate. Even if I made a guess, my guess would have absolutely no factual basis. For important issues - whether it's regarding marriage or any other legal or non-legal matter - I think it's wiser to ask the institution/ department responsible for answering these queries, right? :)
Good luck to both of you and I hope you find the answer to your questions regarding CENOMAR in the Philippines!
hi stef...ask ko lang po...pnu pag married ang husband ko sa dalawang tao,tapos ako ang last,separated po sila...di pa annuled ung marriage nila...pinareregistered po namin ung panganay ko magcollege this year hinihingian ng nso,tpos kumuha po kami nakalagay pagkadalaga ko pa...maililipat kya un sa name ng husband ko...eh cenomar nya po dlawa pinakasalan nya lumabas...anu po kya dapat namin gawin...pls need ur advice....thank you...:)
ReplyDeleteHi, Thelma, and thank you for dropping by! By any chance, have you read any of the comments above you and what I say when they ask for advice? :)
ReplyDeleteIn case you don't, here's my advice: please ask your lawyer or ask the NSO. It's the best way to get legal advice, instead of asking a doctor such as myself. Good luck, Thelma!
Hello Steph,
ReplyDeleteI have an American friend who met his fiance in Manila. When she applied for CENOMAR, it showed she was married. She's claiming fraud and filed an annulment. Is there such thing as marriage fraud? How long dies an annulment take?
Hi Steph,
ReplyDeleteI have an American friend who met his fiance in Manila. She filed for CENOMAR and it showed she was married. She is claiming fraud and filed an annulment. Is there such thing? She claims identity fraud. How long does an annulment take?
Hi, Bianca! I'm curious, but have you read any of the comments above you, including what I say when they ask for legal advice? :)
ReplyDeleteI suggest that you please ask a lawyer or someone from the NSO. It's the best way to get advice on legal issues surrounding marriage. Best of luck to you and your friend!
i have a question. matagal ko na kasing gustong makakuha ng answer.
ReplyDeletevalid ba ung marriage if it's a shotgun wedding?
at first they wer married sa judge then nagpakasal sila sa simbahan ulit tapos nung kumuha sila ng CENOMAR for passport ang lumabas single. walang nakaregister na kasal nila.. pano yun? valid ba yung kasal nila? kasi yung kasal nila sa judge shotgun wedding yun eh.pwede ba syang ikasal kahit hindi nya ipanull ung marriage nya?
pease i badly need your response thank you.
Hi stef,
ReplyDeletegood day,ask ko lng po,i already had a certificate of singleness from attorney,do i still need to get a cenomar??
Best Regards,
Mhae
Hi, Mhae/ Alfie Escudero! I think it's best if you asked your attorney that. :) Good luck!
ReplyDeletehi, what are the requirements needed to get cenomar if authorization in the NSO and DFA?...
ReplyDeleteHello po, ask ko lang po nagpunta nako sa japan embassy pinasa kopo ang ricon koseki ko sa kanila den binigyan nila ako ng divorces certificate... 2007 pa na po ako separate sa asawa kong hapon before my hawak po akong papers na galing sa japan embassy sa japan na iforward ko raw po yung divorces certificate ko sa nso para sa report of merriage ko. Ask ko lang po kung na issue han ako ng singleness or kahit po ma irecognize ang divorces dito sa pinas...nalalabas po ba sa nso cenomar...
ReplyDeleteHi,kinasal po ako nung 2011 pero nkipagdivorce po ako sa asawa kong korean s korea..may kinakasama po ako ngayon at plano sana namin magpakasal..pwde ba ko magpakasal sa kanya? Please help..
ReplyDeleteHi,ask ko lng pwd po bang kumuha ng cenomar kahit saan branch ng NSO?or kilangan kung saang place ka ikakasal dun ka din need kumuha?thanks...
ReplyDeleteFor NSO-related questions (requirements, where to get the CENOMAR, etc.), please ask NSO. I'm not from NSO, so your best bet is an NSO representative.
ReplyDeleteFor MARRIED couples who want to look single in the eyes of the Philippine law, sorry, folks, but I don't think you can ever be single here again unless your marriage gets effectively annulled. Filing for separation doesn't make you single; it just makes you, well, separated.
I hope the next person who leaves a comment reads this comment of mine. :)
It's really tiring to answer same question over and over
DeletePaolo, hahaha! You noticed a trend, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteanu ang requirdment sa pag kuha singlenss at mag kanu bayad ? thanks
ReplyDeletehi stef,ask ko lang po kung magkano po ba ang babayaran para makakuha ng CENOMAR. salamat
ReplyDeleteHello, Ailyn, thank you for dropping by my blog. For the answer to your query, please take a look at comment number 46.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the inconvenience and best of luck to you and your hunt for the CENOMAR! :)
Hi, i need help my mother is in japan right now, she as me to get her singleness in NSO is it possible?. What are the requirements??? Pls help me thanks.
ReplyDeleteGudpm po, ask ko lang po Kung possible po bang lumabas sa cenomar na dalawang beses kang kinasal? Un po kse ung lumabas sa papa ko nung Kinuha si mama ng cenomar Nila tnx po
ReplyDeleteJhovylyn and Charlene, please read comment number 46 aa well. Best of luck and thank you for dropping by. :)
ReplyDeletehello ! ask ko lng kung yung cenomar of singleness ay may nkasulat din bang "no legal impedement to the marrige" ?pls reply
ReplyDeleteSorry, Joy, I wouldn't know. However, you can ask the NSO or call their office. :)
DeleteHello Stef, Can anyone can get your CENOMAR?
ReplyDeleteHello there! Oh, sorry, but I wouldn't know. Best if you ask the NSO. :)
Delete