Yes, cousin marriage is legal in the Philippines under the Family Code, provided no legal impediments exist. The law permits marriages between first cousins, unlike some jurisdictions that prohibit such unions. However, the Philippine Statistics Authority and local civil registrars enforce strict documentation to validate eligibility, including proof of no prior marriages or consanguinity violations. Recent 2026 compliance directives emphasize digital verification of marriage licenses to curb fraudulent filings.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Philippines
- Consanguinity Limits: The Family Code (Art. 38) permits marriages between first cousins but prohibits unions between siblings, parents/children, or half-siblings. Second cousins (e.g., first cousins once removed) are also legally permissible.
- Marriage License Requirement: A valid marriage license from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) is mandatory. The LCR conducts background checks to ensure no prohibited degrees of relationship exist between applicants.
- Age and Capacity: Both parties must be at least 18 years old and capable of giving free consent. The LCR may reject applications if either party is under guardianship or lacks mental capacity, as per the Civil Code (Art. 14).