Getting Married in the US as a Filipino Citizen | CourthouseCloud
Filipino citizens can legally get married in the United States — no citizenship or US residency required. A US civil marriage certificate is recognized by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) once reported to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. This guide covers everything Filipino nationals need to know: how to get married in the US, how to report your marriage to the Philippine Embassy, how to obtain your PSA marriage certificate, and how to use the certificate for USCIS immigration.
Can a Filipino Citizen Get Married in the United States?
Yes. Filipino nationals can legally marry in the United States. A valid Philippine passport is accepted as identification in all 50 states. Neither party is required to be a US citizen or resident. Utah is the top choice for Filipino couples because online ceremonies are fully authorized — both parties can complete the marriage via secure video call from anywhere, including the Philippines.
⚠️ Important note for Filipino nationals: Philippine law currently does not recognize same-sex marriages. A same-sex US marriage may not be registrable at the Philippine Embassy. Consult the Philippine Embassy for your specific situation.
Requirements for Filipino Nationals to Get Married in the US
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid ID | Philippine passport for both parties (preferred) |
| Residency Required | Not required in Utah |
| Waiting Period | None in Utah |
| Witnesses | 2 required — can participate via video call |
| Previous Marriage | If previously married in the Philippines, annulment or divorce recognition documents required |
| Utah Online Marriage | Certificate must be apostilled by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's office for Philippine Embassy reporting |
How to Report Your US Marriage to the Philippine Embassy (Report of Marriage)
Filipino citizens who marry in the United States are required to report the marriage to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over the US state where the marriage took place. This is called a Report of Marriage (ROM).
Key requirements for ROM submission:
- Original US marriage certificate (County-issued) — apostilled
- PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the Filipino spouse (on security paper)
- CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) — valid for 6 months from issue date
- Valid passports of both parties
- Four completed copies of the Report of Marriage form (notarized)
- Processing fee (varies by consulate; typically $25)
⚠️ Special requirement for Utah online marriages: The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco explicitly requires that certificates from Utah online marriages be apostilled by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's office before ROM submission. CourthouseCloud offers this apostille service.
After filing your ROM, the Embassy transmits it to the PSA. It takes 6 months to 1 year for your PSA-issued Philippine marriage certificate to become available. You can then order it via psahelpline.ph.
Which Philippine Consulate Handles Your Report of Marriage?
The Report of Marriage must be filed with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the US state where the marriage was performed:
- Philippine Embassy, Washington DC — AL, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles — Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona
- Philippine Consulate General, San Francisco — Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada (North), Hawaii
- Philippine Consulate General, Chicago — IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI
- Philippine Consulate General, New York — NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME
- Philippine Consulate General, Houston — TX, LA, AR, OK, MS
For Utah marriages processed through CourthouseCloud, the San Francisco Consulate typically has jurisdiction.
Using a US Marriage Certificate for USCIS Immigration (Filipino-American Couples)
A Utah-issued US marriage certificate is accepted by USCIS for all immigration purposes, confirmed under USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-23 (October 2025). Common pathways for Filipino-American couples include:
- CR-1 / IR-1 Spousal Visa — for Filipino spouses of US citizens applying from the Philippines
- I-485 Adjustment of Status — for Filipinos already in the US on a valid visa (student, work, tourist)
- I-130 Petition — first step for all marriage-based green card applications
See our full guide: US Marriage for Immigration & Spouse Visa →
OFW and Long-Distance Filipino Couples
CourthouseCloud is especially practical for OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) couples and long-distance Filipino-American relationships:
- Both parties can be in completely different countries — one in the Philippines, one in the US or elsewhere
- The ceremony is conducted via secure video call — no travel required
- Digital certificate delivered within 1 hour
- Physical certificate mailed within 1–2 business days; international delivery available
- Apostille and certified translation available as add-ons
Get Legally Married in the US with CourthouseCloud
CourthouseCloud's Utah County–issued marriage certificate is specifically designed for international couples including Filipino nationals. Our apostille service ensures your certificate meets Philippine Embassy ROM requirements. Get married via video call — from the Philippines, the US, or anywhere in the world.
Sources: Philippine Embassy Washington DC (philippineembassy-dc.org), Philippine Consulate General San Francisco (pcgsanfrancisco.org), PSA Helpline (psahelpline.ph), USCIS PA-2025-23 (October 2025). Verified May 2026. Requirements vary by consulate jurisdiction — always confirm current ROM requirements with your local Philippine Consulate before filing.