Because of the enormous unemployment, millions of Filipinos have left their country to earn money elsewhere to be transferred to the family who stayed behind. Most women work as maids in harsh conditions. Worst known is the Middle East, where they are raped and assaulted by their employers. But even in relatively friendlier Hong Kong their rights are nothing.
Getting married in the Philippines
Are you a citizen planning to get married in the Philippines? Then there are a number of things to consider for having a Filipina Wife.
Conditions for marriage or registered partnership: In order to be able to marry or enter into a registered partnership as a citizen, you must meet the following conditions:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. Are you getting married abroad as a minor? Then the government will not recognize your marriage until you are both 18 years old.
- You and your partner must not already be married or in a registered partnership with someone else.
- Are you under guardianship? Then you need permission from the curator or the subdistrict court.
Certain family members are not allowed to marry or enter into a registered partnership. It concerns parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren and brothers and sisters. You can also check What to expect when marring a Filipina.
Consent of the country where you get married or enter into a registered partnership
Do you want to get married or enter into a registered partnership abroad? Then check whether this is allowed according to the rules of the country. You do this at the foreign institution where you marry or enter into a partnership. You cannot get married at an embassy abroad.
Documents for marriage or partnership abroad
The foreign institution where you get married or enter into a partnership can tell you which documents you need. For example, a copy of your birth certificate and a declaration of marital status .
Register a foreign marriage or partnership certificate
You can register your foreign marriage certificate or partnership certificate with the register.
Legalization of a foreign marriage or partnership certificate
If you want to register the foreign marriage or partnership certificate in the Netherlands, you usually have to have the foreign certificate legalized first. You do this in the country where you were married. Sometimes the deed must also be legalized by the embassy or consulate in that country. Read the legalization information of the country for what to do.
Getting married in this country or area
In principle, you can get married at any town hall or in any church in the Philippines. A religious marriage is also recognized by the registry office in the Philippines.
It is not possible to get married at the embassy in Manila.
What do I need to get married in the Philippines?
The town hall or the church where you want to get married requires a so-called ‘Legal Capacity (to contract Marriage)’. In the Netherlands this is called a Declaration about an intended marriage. The other documents you need may differ per municipality. So ask this well in time at the municipality where you want to get married.
How do I get a Statement about a proposed marriage?
The embassy in Manila can issue a declaration of intended marriage. For this it must be established that there is no legal objection to the marriage. In other words, it must be established that you and your fiancé are not already married to anyone else.
With the statement about an intended marriage, you can apply for a marriage license at the town hall or the church where you want to get married. You do this 10 days before the date you want to get married. Please take this into account when planning your wedding. You have to know about Where Do Snakes Go in the Winter.
