Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)

Introduction:
 

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) which is the equivalent of the Philippines' Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. 

If your CNI was issued in Australia or you are thinking of obtaining a CNI in Australia, inquire from the Philippine Local Civil Registry office whether this is acceptable or they strictly require a CNI issued from the Australian Embassy in Manila.

You may also be asked by the Philippine Local Civil Registry office to provide other evidence or documentation from Australia. Depending on your circumstances, this could include your birth certificate, divorce certificate, andor your deceased partner’s death certificate. 

Before booking an appointment for a CNI, you must first contact the marrying authority (i.e. courts; religious institutions; city/municipal offices) to inquire on complete requirements regarding marriage in the Philippines.

The Philippine Government normally does not accept a CNI issued more than 6 months prior to the date of marriage, i.e., CNIs are generally valid/acceptable only up to six (6) months from date of issue.

Attention:
Requirements vary and you are encouraged to inquire on all documentary requirements with the Local Civil Registry office where you intend to marry. 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

 

 

How to apply for a CNI:

1. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

• If you are an Australian citizen, you will be required to present your current Australian passport.
• If you are an Australian permanent resident, you will be required to present evidence of your permanent residency
  • You may obtain an electronic copy of your evidence of your permanent residency through the Department of Home Affairs.

2. Obtain circumstance-specific supporting documentation (for both Australian applicant and intended partner)

• If you were divorced in Australia, you will be required to present your original proof of divorce. 
  • A divorce order may be obtained electronically through the Commonwealth Courts Portal. Further information is found at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's website.
     
• If your marriage was annulled in the Philippines, you will be required to present either proof of your annullment.
  • You may present either the original Court Decree of Annulment / Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, which may be obtained from the relevant court granting the annulment or;
  • You may present an annotated Certificate of Marriage (COM) from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which would indicate the marriage's annulment.
  • If an annulment proceeding has not yet been finalized or is in process, a CNI will not be issued.
     
• If you were divorced in another country, kindly seek advice from the relevant civil registry or diplomatic authority on how to obtain an official copy.
  • If the divorce document is in another language, please obtain an English-translated copy.
     
• If your previous spouse has passed away, you will be required to present an original death certificate of your previous spouse.
   

3. Complete an Application for Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)

• Print the form and complete the details requested.
• DO NOT SIGN THE APPLICATION BEFORE ATTENDING YOUR APPOINTMENT. We must witness you sign at the time you submit your application.
   

4.  Book your appointment

 

5. Lodge the Application and supporting documentation

• The Australian applicant and intended partner will be required to provide their original IDs on the day of the appointment.

6. Payment 

• Notarial/CNI fees and payment methods may be found here:​ Consular fees
   

Note: CNIs will be issued on the same day, should all documentary requirements be met.



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.

 

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]

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