Is a marriage license necessary for a couple who has cohabited for five years?
A marriage license is not necessary for a couple that has lived together as husband and wife for a sufficient duration. The law requires a minimum of five years of continuous cohabitation without any legal impediment to marry. This legal exception is found in Article 34 Family Code of the Philippines. The couple must simply execute an affidavit stating these facts before an authorized person. “Art. 34. No license shall be necessary for the marriage of a man and a woman who have lived together as husband and wife for at least five years and without any legal impediment to marry each other. The contracting parties shall state the foregoing facts in an affidavit before any person authorized by law to administer oaths.” 31-Jul-26About Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices
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/.
