Civil Wedding Requirements: What You Need for a Mayor’s Office Wedding in Dumaguete. 

Not every couple wants a grand aisle and a pipe organ. For many, the goal is simple. Make it legal. Keep it intimate.

A civil wedding in Dumaguete is the most practical route to marriage. It is straightforward. It is budget-friendly. But practical does not mean instant. You cannot just walk into City Hall and get married on the spot. There is a process.

At Tickle Tree Studios, we have filmed many intimate civil weddings. They have a unique charm. They are stripped down to the essentials. Just you, your partner, and the promises you make.

Here is what you need to prepare to secure your slot at the Mayor’s Office in 2025.

1. The Golden Ticket: The Marriage License

You cannot skip this. Before you can schedule anything with the Mayor, you need a valid Marriage License issued by the Local Civil Registrar.

• The Timeline: Remember the 10-day posting period. You must apply for this license at least two weeks before your intended wedding date.

• The Validity: Once released, the license is good for 120 days. Do not let it expire.

2. The Letter of Request

You need to formally ask the Mayor to officiate your wedding.

• What to Write: Submit a simple letter of intent addressed to the City Mayor. State your names and your preferred wedding date.

• Where to Submit: Bring this to the Mayor's Office at City Hall. Staff will check the Mayor's schedule and confirm if your date is open.

3. The Community Tax Certificate (CEDULA)

This is a basic requirement for almost any government transaction. Both you and your partner need a current CEDULA. You can get this at the City Treasurer's Office or your local Barangay Hall. It costs very little but carries a lot of weight in processing your papers.

4. Your Witnesses

You cannot get married alone. You need at least two witnesses of legal age.

• For the Ceremony: They must be present to sign the marriage contract.

• For the Video: We love capturing the interaction between the couple and their witnesses. These are usually your closest friends or family. Their reactions during the ceremony make for great footage in a Dumaguete wedding highlights video.

5. Payment of Fees

There is a civil wedding fee required by the city.

• Where to Pay: Go to the City Treasurer’s Office.

• The Cost: Fees are generally minimal compared to church bonds. Keep the receipt. You will need to present it to the Mayor’s staff on the day of your wedding.

A Note on the "Vibe"

Civil weddings are fast. The ceremony itself might only take 15 minutes.

• Videographer's Tip: Because it happens so quickly, we have to be ready. We treat the signing of the contract as the main event.

• Lighting: City Hall offices often use fluorescent lighting. This can be harsh. We recommend wearing something with texture or color to stand out against the beige office walls.

• After the Ceremony: Since the wedding is short, many couples book us for a post-wedding video shoot Dumaguete. We take you out of the office and into a garden or the boulevard to get those romantic cinematic shots that you can't get inside City Hall.

The Verdict

A civil wedding strips away the noise. It focuses purely on the legal union. If you have your papers in order, it is a smooth process that lets you start your life together without the stress of a massive production.

Planning a simple City Hall wedding? You still deserve a beautiful video. [Check out our Intimate Wedding Packages]

We know how to make even a quick civil ceremony look cinematic.