K-1 Fiancé Visa applications
A CENOMAR may be requested as evidence of civil status. Check the current K-1 petition and interview-stage instructions for the specific case.
Common Confusion ExplainedVisa-Specific GuidanceFree Consultation
Updated: April 1, 2026
CENOMAR or PSA Marriage Certificate — Which Do You Need?
These are two completely different documents. Getting the wrong one means delays and extra cost.
- CENOMAR = proof your Filipino partner has never been married (single status)
- PSA Marriage Certificate = proof that a marriage was legally registered in the Philippines
- K-1 visa applicants usually need CENOMAR; CR-1/IR-1 applicants usually need PSA Marriage Certificate
- Some cases require both — especially if your partner was previously married
CENOMAR — When You Need This
Before an overseas wedding ceremony or civil registration abroad
Most civil registry offices worldwide require CENOMAR before they register a marriage involving a Filipino national.
CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas) seminars
CENOMAR is one of the documents required for CFO guidance counseling before a Filipino spouse can depart the Philippines.
PSA Marriage Certificate — When You Need This
CR-1 / IR-1 Spouse Visa applications
After your marriage is registered, a CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visa requires a PSA Marriage Certificate proving the legal marriage — not CENOMAR.
Canada, Australia, UK, Japan and other immigration
A PSA Marriage Certificate is commonly used as proof of marriage, but format and authentication requirements vary by authority and procedure.
Naturalization and permanent residency applications
Citizenship and PR applications typically require your PSA Marriage Certificate to establish family relationships.
| CENOMAR | PSA Marriage Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it proves | You have never been married (single status) | A specific marriage was legally registered |
| Issued by | PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) | PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) |
| When needed | Before marriage / K-1 visa stage | After marriage / CR-1, spouse visa stage |
| Validity | 6 months from issue (most authorities) | No expiry — permanent record |
| Apostille required? | Yes, for most countries | Yes, for most countries |
| Price (our service) | From $349 (incl. Apostille + DHL) | From $349 (incl. Apostille + DHL) |
Not Sure Which One Your Visa Requires?
Requirements vary by visa type, country, and whether your partner was previously married. Tell us your situation and we will confirm exactly what to order — before you pay for the wrong document.
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Country-Specific Notes
USA (K-1 visa → CENOMAR; CR-1/IR-1 → PSA Marriage Certificate)
The document checklist differs between K-1 and CR-1/IR-1 cases and by stage. Authentication is arranged only when the current official instructions require it.
Canada, Australia, UK (both may be required)
Spousal sponsorship and partner visa applications often require both CENOMAR (proof of single status at time of application) and PSA Marriage Certificate. We advise per case.
Japan (spouse visa → PSA Marriage Certificate required)
Japanese Immigration Bureau requires PSA Marriage Certificate with DFA Apostille + certified Japanese translation. CENOMAR is needed at the pre-marriage stage only.
FAQ
A
CENOMAR proves that a Filipino has no record of marriage in the PSA database — i.e., they are legally single. PSA Marriage Certificate proves that a specific marriage was registered with PSA. They serve opposite purposes.
A
For a K-1 fiancé visa, you typically need CENOMAR — proof that your Filipino fiancé(e) is single and legally eligible to marry. PSA Marriage Certificate would only be needed if they were previously married.
A
For a CR-1 visa (already married), you typically need the PSA Marriage Certificate. CENOMAR may also be required in some cases, especially if your spouse was previously married. Consult us for your exact situation.
A
If they were previously married and the marriage was annulled or they are widowed, you may need both the PSA Marriage Certificate (for the current marriage) AND documentation of the previous marriage dissolution.
A
Both take approximately 4–6 weeks through our service: PSA issuance 2–3 weeks, DFA Apostille 1–2 weeks, DHL shipping 3–5 business days.
Related Guides
CENOMAR Retrieval Service
PSA + DFA Apostille + DHL worldwide. Complete guide.
PSA Marriage CertificateRetrieve your marriage certificate with Apostille for visa applications.
K-1 Visa Document GuideComplete Philippine document checklist for K-1 fiancé visa.
CR-1 Visa Document GuidePhilippine documents needed for CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa applications.
※ This is a private document retrieval service by IGRS Inc. We are not affiliated with PSA, NBI, DFA, or any Philippine government agency.