Civil Document · Updated May 2026
PSA CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) for U.S. Immigration: 2026 Guide
The CENOMAR is a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) document that confirms the Filipino beneficiary has no registered marriage in the national civil registry. It is required for K-1, CR-1/IR-1, and all immigrant visa categories for unmarried applicants 18 and older. If you have ever been married, you do not submit a CENOMAR. You submit an Advisory on Marriages (AOM) plus proof of how that marriage ended.
Quick answer
Order the CENOMAR from PSAHelpline.ph, a PSA Civil Registration System (CRS) outlet, or an SM Business Center. If you are in the United States, use PSAHelpline.ph international service and budget 3 to 5 weeks. The Embassy requires a CENOMAR issued within 1 year of your interview. No apostille needed. A certified English translation is required.
If your prior marriage ended through foreign divorce
The Philippines does not automatically recognize foreign divorces. A Philippine court must issue a recognition order before PSA will annotate your marriage record. This process is legally complex and can take months. If your prior marriage ended through a divorce obtained outside the Philippines, consult an immigration attorney and a Philippine family law attorney before submitting any documents to NVC.
At a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | A PSA-issued certification that no marriage record exists in the national civil registry for the named person. If a record is found, PSA issues an Advisory on Marriages instead. |
| Who needs it | The Filipino beneficiary, if they have never been married before. Required for K-1, CR-1/IR-1, and all immigrant visa categories if the applicant is 18 or older. Previously married applicants do not use CENOMAR. They submit the prior marriage certificate plus proof of how that marriage ended. |
| Who does NOT need it | Anyone who has been previously married. If you were married before, PSA will issue an Advisory on Marriages (AOM) instead. Submit the AOM along with proof the prior marriage ended (death certificate, annulment decree, or court-recognized foreign divorce). |
| Issued by | Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Must be printed on PSA security paper. Photocopies and non-PSA copies are not accepted. |
| Validity period | The U.S. Embassy Manila requires a CENOMAR issued within 1 year of your interview. Many NVC case officers and attorneys recommend ordering within 6 months of expected interview to avoid expiry during long processing waits. |
| Where to order | PSAHelpline.ph (online, with delivery); PSA Civil Registration System (CRS) outlets in person; SM Business Centers. For applicants in the U.S., PSAHelpline.ph ships internationally. |
| Fee (in Philippines) | PHP 210 per copy at PSA outlets. PHP 420 per copy through PSAHelpline.ph with nationwide delivery. International shipping (for orders from the U.S.) adds PHP 2,000 to 2,500 for courier. |
| Translation | A certified English translation must accompany the original PSA document. Any competent bilingual person may certify the translation; the applicant and petitioner cannot translate their own documents. |
| Apostille | Not required by the U.S. Embassy Manila for immigrant visa applications. If a consulate in another country requires it, the DFA now issues digital apostilles only for PSA eCertificates (effective March 2026). |
Sources: U.S. Embassy Manila: Immigrant Visa Document FAQs, PSA CENOMAR page, PSAHelpline.ph (verified May 2026).
CENOMAR or Advisory on Marriages: which one do you need?
PSA determines which document you receive based on what the civil registry contains for your name and birthdate. You cannot request one or the other; PSA issues whichever applies. The common mistake is assuming everyone needs a CENOMAR: previously married applicants will receive an Advisory on Marriages and need to submit that, not a CENOMAR.
Never been married
Document: CENOMAR
Issued by: PSA
Previously married, spouse died
Document: Advisory on Marriages (AOM) + Death Certificate of prior spouse
Issued by: PSA (AOM) + PSA (Death Certificate)
Previously married, annulment or nullity granted in Philippines
Document: Advisory on Marriages (AOM) + Annotated Marriage Certificate + Court Decree
Issued by: PSA (AOM and annotated cert) + local court
Previously married, divorced abroad (foreign divorce recognized in Philippines)
Document: Advisory on Marriages (AOM) + Annotated Marriage Certificate + Recognition of Foreign Divorce Decree
Issued by: PSA + Philippine court that recognized the foreign divorce
What “Advisory on Marriages” means in practice
The Advisory on Marriages (AOM) is sometimes called the “CENOMAR for previously married applicants,” but it is a different document. The AOM lists every marriage PSA has on record for your name. If you are previously married, submit the AOM together with whatever documents prove the prior marriage legally ended. The Embassy needs to see both the AOM and the proof of dissolution.
Four ways to get the CENOMAR
Which method you use depends on whether you are in the Philippines or abroad and how much time you have before your NVC submission deadline.
PSAHelpline.ph (online, within Philippines)
Filipino residents who want home delivery
Go to psahelpline.ph. Click 'Order Now.' Select CENOMAR from the document list. Enter your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' full names. Include any aliases or previous names you have used. Pay online (PHP 420 per copy with delivery). Processing and delivery typically takes 3 to 8 business days nationwide, next-day in Metro Manila after PSA releases the document.
PSA CRS outlet in person
Residents near a PSA branch who want to pick up in person
Book an appointment at appointment.psa.gov.ph (walk-in is not allowed at most PSA outlets as of 2025). Bring at least one government-issued photo ID (passport, PhilSys card, UMID, driver's license, or voter's ID). Provide your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. Pay PHP 210 per copy. Processing is typically same-day at the outlet.
SM Business Centers
Residents near an SM mall who prefer a partner outlet over PSA offices
Visit any SM Business Center inside an SM mall. Request a CENOMAR through the PSA document request counter. Provide the same information required at PSA outlets. The center submits the request on your behalf and notifies you when the document is ready. Fees and timelines vary slightly by location.
PSAHelpline.ph international delivery (from the U.S. or abroad)
Filipinos outside the Philippines who cannot visit a PSA outlet or SM center
Go to psahelpline.ph. Select 'International Service' and complete the order form. PSA releases the document to PSAHelpline's facility in the Philippines. You then arrange international courier pickup by clicking 'Schedule Pickup' in the portal and uploading the courier waybill. The most common services are DHL and FedEx.
Common mistakes that delay your case
Most CENOMAR-related delays at NVC and the Manila Embassy come from a small set of recurring errors. Each one adds weeks or months to the process.
Ordering CENOMAR when you were previously married
If PSA finds a marriage record for your name and birthdate, they will issue an Advisory on Marriages rather than a CENOMAR. Submitting the wrong document type to NVC or the embassy delays your case. Previously married applicants need the AOM plus proof of dissolution, not a CENOMAR.
Consistent confusion pattern across VisaJourney Philippines threads, 2023 to 2025.
Ordering too early and having the document expire before the interview
The U.S. Embassy Manila requires a CENOMAR issued within 1 year of the interview date. NVC processing and Embassy scheduling for Manila cases can take 12 to 18 months from I-130 approval. Ordering at the start of the process risks needing a fresh copy before your interview.
Recurring timing issue in VisaJourney CR-1/IR-1 Philippines timelines, 2024 to 2025.
Submitting a photocopy or non-PSA-printed copy
The CENOMAR must be printed on PSA security paper. Documents printed from unofficial sites or submitted as photocopies will be rejected at the Embassy. Order only from PSA outlets, PSAHelpline.ph, or authorized partners like SM Business Centers.
Document deficiency pattern reported in r/immigration and VisaJourney, 2023 to 2024.
Leaving out aliases or previous names on the PSA application
PSA searches its database based on the name and birthdate you provide. If you have used a different first name, middle name, or surname at any point (due to a name change, nickname on legal documents, or clerical errors), you may receive a CENOMAR that does not cover all name variants. Provide all known name variants when ordering.
Mentioned in multiple VisaJourney posts about CENOMAR false negatives and PSA name mismatches, 2024.
Assuming no translation is needed because CENOMAR is partly in English
While PSA CENOMARs contain both Filipino and English text, USCIS and the NVC require a certified English translation with a translator's competency certification under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Submit a certified translation with the original document regardless.
Repeated question on VisaJourney Philippines subforums, 2024 to 2025.
What applicants report
Aggregated from VisaJourney Philippines threads and r/immigration posts about CENOMAR timing and PSA name-match issues in Manila immigrant visa cases. Experiences vary. Use as context, not as instructions.
Tips from the community
Order at most 6 months before your expected NVC document submission
The U.S. Embassy Manila enforces a 1-year validity window, but NVC processing can be slow and Manila Embassy scheduling can add several more months. Community members who ordered 10 to 12 months before their interview frequently had to reorder. Six months before expected NVC submission is the practical sweet spot.
Source: VisaJourney Philippines CR-1/IR-1 threads, 2024 to 2025
Include every name variant you have ever used
PSA searches by name and birthdate. If your legal documents use slightly different spellings (e.g., 'Maria Cristina' vs. 'Maria Christina') or you were registered with a different middle name at any point, list all variants on the CENOMAR request form. Missing a variant can produce a CENOMAR that the embassy questions.
Source: VisaJourney, r/immigration, 2024
If PSA returns an Advisory on Marriages but you have never been married, do not panic
Same-name matches in the PSA database are a known issue in the Philippines. PSA may return an AOM reflecting a marriage registered to someone with the same or a very similar name. Request manual verification from PSA and obtain a written note explaining the mismatch. Submit both the AOM and the PSA explanation letter to NVC or the Embassy with a cover letter.
Source: VisaJourney Philippines board and r/immigration, 2023 to 2025
PSAHelpline.ph international orders can take 3 to 5 weeks total
The PSA processing portion is usually 3 to 5 business days. International courier from the Philippines to the U.S. adds 5 to 10 business days, plus any customs clearance time. Members ordering from the U.S. consistently report the full cycle taking 3 to 5 weeks.
Source: VisaJourney and PSAHelpline community reviews, 2024 to 2025
In their own words
“We ordered the CENOMAR in March 2024, thinking it would give us plenty of buffer. Our Manila interview wasn't scheduled until February 2025, which was still inside the 1-year window, but just barely. If it had slipped even one more month we would have had to reorder from the U.S. I'd say order it no earlier than 8 months before you expect the interview.”
“PSA gave us an Advisory on Marriages instead of the CENOMAR because someone with a nearly identical name in our province had registered a marriage. Had to go back to the PSA office, request manual verification, get a signed statement, and resubmit the whole packet to NVC with a cover letter. Took 6 extra weeks. Make sure your name variants are in the system correctly before you order.”
Sources
- U.S. Embassy Manila: Immigrant Visa Application Requirements FAQ (verified May 2026)
- Philippine Statistics Authority: CENOMAR (verified May 2026)
- PSAHelpline.ph: CENOMAR ordering and delivery (verified May 2026)
- U.S. Department of State: Philippines Reciprocity and Civil Documents Table (verified May 2026)
- U.S. Department of State: Manila Post Supplement (MNL) (verified May 2026)
- VisaJourney: Philippines immigrant visa community threads (community data)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CENOMAR and an Advisory on Marriages?
A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) is what PSA issues when no marriage record exists for your name and birthdate. An Advisory on Marriages (AOM) is issued instead when PSA finds one or more marriage records. You cannot choose which one you receive: PSA determines this automatically when you submit your request. If you have ever been married, you will receive an AOM, not a CENOMAR.
I was previously married but my spouse died. What do I submit instead of a CENOMAR?
You submit your Advisory on Marriages (AOM) plus the PSA-issued death certificate of your prior spouse. Do not submit a CENOMAR. PSA will not issue a CENOMAR for someone with a marriage record, and attempting to request one will simply produce an AOM. The AOM plus the death certificate together document your current single status.
Do I need a CENOMAR if I got a Philippine annulment?
No. If your Philippine marriage was annulled or declared null and void by a Philippine court, PSA should have annotated your marriage certificate with the court's decision. Submit your Advisory on Marriages, the PSA marriage certificate showing the annotation, and a certified copy of the court decree. An annulment in the Philippines does not produce a CENOMAR; it produces an annotated marriage record.
Does the CENOMAR need an apostille for U.S. immigration?
No. The U.S. Embassy Manila does not require an apostille on PSA civil documents for immigrant visa applications. Submit the original PSA CENOMAR on security paper with a certified English translation. If you are asked to submit documents to a different country or institution that requires an apostille, note that the Philippine DFA now issues digital apostilles only for PSA eCertificates as of March 2026.
How long does a CENOMAR take to get in the Philippines?
At a PSA outlet in person: same-day, once your appointment slot is complete. Through PSAHelpline.ph with delivery: 3 to 8 business days nationwide (next-day in Metro Manila after PSA releases the document). Orders from outside the Philippines (international delivery): plan 3 to 5 weeks total for PSA processing plus international courier transit.
PSA gave me an Advisory on Marriages, but I have never been married. What do I do?
This can happen when PSA's name-matching logic connects your request to a marriage registered under a similar name. Go to the PSA office, request manual verification of the record, and ask for a written statement explaining that the marriage record does not belong to you. Submit the AOM, the PSA written statement, and a cover letter to NVC or the Embassy explaining the discrepancy. Do not try to resubmit as if you received a CENOMAR.
Can I submit a CENOMAR I ordered online from PSAHelpline if I am in the United States?
Yes. PSAHelpline.ph ships internationally. You place the order online, PSA releases the document to PSAHelpline in the Philippines, and you arrange an international courier (typically DHL or FedEx) to pick it up and ship it to your U.S. address. Budget 3 to 5 weeks and approximately $35 to $45 USD for international courier fees in addition to the PHP 420 document fee.
Does the CENOMAR need a certified translation?
Yes. PSA CENOMARs contain both Filipino and English text, but USCIS and the U.S. Embassy still require a certified English translation under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Any competent bilingual person can provide the certification by signing a statement confirming their competence and accuracy. The petitioner and the beneficiary cannot translate their own documents. No notarization is required.
Key takeaways
- ✓
Only submit a CENOMAR if the Filipino beneficiary has never been married. PSA will issue an Advisory on Marriages automatically if any marriage record is found, and previously married applicants need that AOM plus proof their prior marriage ended.
- ✓
The U.S. Embassy Manila requires the CENOMAR to be issued within 1 year of the interview date. Given Manila scheduling delays, order no earlier than 6 to 8 months before your expected interview.
- ✓
Order from PSAHelpline.ph, a PSA CRS outlet, or an SM Business Center. The document must be on PSA security paper. Photocopies and non-PSA copies are rejected.
- ✓
From the United States, use PSAHelpline.ph international service. Plan 3 to 5 weeks total and budget $35 to $45 USD for international courier in addition to the PHP 420 PSA fee.
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No apostille is required for U.S. immigrant visa applications at the Manila Embassy. A certified English translation is required.
- ✓
If PSA returns an Advisory on Marriages due to a same-name match error, request manual verification and a written PSA statement before submitting to NVC or the Embassy.
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