How To Legalize Your Marriage Certificate in The Philippines

Aside from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Parañaque, as the main branch of this agency, there are other satellite offices around Manila where you can have your PSA document authenticated (click here on how to get PSA Birth Certificate):

DFA NCR-Northeast (Ali Mall)
DFA NCR-East (SM Megamall)
DFA NCR-West (SM Manila)
DFA NCR-South (Metro Gaisano Alabang).

For our marriage certificate, we chose to have it authenticated at SM Megamall. It is the best place for us, plus, the fact that it is near Fujifilm service center (which we needed to go to for one of our lenses).

So here are the requirements:

• Authentication application form (which you can acquire from the offices or you can download here)
• Documents to be authenticated + a photocopy
• Valid ID / Government issued ID + a photocopy
• Authentication fee (Php100 for regular which will take 4 working days or Php200 for express which will only take 1 business day)

And here's what you need to do:

When you are all set, just proceed to Window 5 and submit all the requirements. You need to wait for a few minutes if there is a queue (but normally, there's none). You will be called and be given a receipt and you need to go to Window 1 to pay for the fee. After paying, you are good to go. You just need to go back again at Window 5 (the next day or after 4 days) to pick up your authenticated certificate.

It is important to bring a plastic folder or envelop so the document won't be wet or crumpled while you transport.

And that's it. With all requirements on hand, you will be able to attain your red ribbon or authenticated certificate.

Disclaimer: This process with the window number applies to the DFA at SM Megamall branch. I am not aware which ones will the windows be in other satellite offices.