Illegal Marriage

Yes, you are correct that backdating marriage documents to bypass the mandatory waiting period can make the marriage illegal or voidable under Philippine law.

Key Points:

1. Marriage License Requirement – Under the Family Code of the Philippines, a valid marriage license is required before a marriage can take place (Article 53).
2. Waiting Period – A 10-day waiting period is mandatory for the posting of the notice of application, to allow for any objections (Article 17).
3. Forgery or Fraud – If the license was falsified or fraudulently obtained, the marriage could be declared void ab initio (invalid from the start) under Article 35.

What You Can Do:

• Check Marriage Records – Request a copy of the Marriage Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify details.
• Consult a Lawyer – If fraud is confirmed, you may file a petition for nullity of marriage in Philippine courts.

Let me know if you need more assistance!