Are marriages solemnized outside the Philippines considered legally valid within the country?

Philippine law broadly recognizes the legal validity of marriages genuinely contracted abroad if they comply with local foreign laws. All marriages validly solemnized outside the Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in that country shall be valid. However, there are absolute exceptions for specific prohibited marriages, such as fundamentally bigamous or incestuous unions. This core principle of recognizing foreign marriages is enshrined in Article 26 Family Code of the Philippines. “Art. 26. All marriages solemnized outside the Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in the country where they were solemnized, and valid there as such, shall also be valid in this country, except those prohibited under Articles 35 (1), (4), (5) and (6), 36, 37 and 38.” 31-Jul-26

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 Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices is a full-service law firm in the Philippines.  You may visit us at the 16th Flr., Suite 1607 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.  You may also call us at +632 84706126, +632 84706130, +632 84016392 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Visit our website https://ndvlaw.com/.