Lawyer Answers

Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers)
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:
- Marriage License Requirement – Under the Family Code of the Philippines, a valid marriage license is required before a marriage can take place (Article 53).
- Waiting Period – A 10-day waiting period is mandatory for the posting of the notice of application, to allow for any objections (Article 17).
- 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!

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