Getting married in Hong Kong as a Filipina or with a Filipina is much easier than in the Philippines or in my home country (Germany) – been there, done that!
While it can be a nightmare in the Philippines and in Germany, it is a piece of cake in Hong Kong.
Let us show you how to do this.
In case these steps do not answer all your questions, feel free to get in touch with us.
How to get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina: Step 1 – Schedule an appointment.
What you need to do.
First and foremost, you need to submit your notice of Intended Marriage.
Why you need to do it.
This notice is a legal document expressing the couple’s intention to marry in Hong Kong.
This legal document must be submitted before your wedding date, between three (3) months and fifteen (15) days, in which Sundays are not counted.
How to do it.
To submit this document, you will have to book an appointment with the registrar of the Hong Kong government through their website or by calling their telephone booking system (Number to dial: +852 3102 3883).
Important to note.
Please note that this notice will be marked as “expired” after three months if you fail to submit it. It’ll be better if you call them ahead of time so you can acquire your desired date for the wedding.
How to get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina: Step 2 – Attend the appointment with the required documents
What to do.
You and your partner could both go, although only one of you is needed for this appointment.
Of course, remember that the one attending this appointment must prepare the required documents of both the spouses-to-be, such as your Hong Kong ID, travel documents, and identification documents.
How to do it.
You will need to fill out Form MR21B, or the Information Required for Marriage Registration.
However, other than submitting it personally, you can also do it virtually through their online portal.
Keep in mind that there will be a fee of HK $305 for the notice.
In case you work with us, we will of course take charge of this whole process.
How to get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina: Step 3 – Plan your wedding
You can plan the wedding while waiting for your certificate to be released.
As a Filipina, it might be intimidating to plan a wedding in a foreign land.
But do not worry, as there are numerous wedding planners in Hong Kong who are always ready to assist you in organizing your wedding day.
Prepare the needed arrangements for the wedding, such as your make-up artist, photographer, and your wedding venue.
How to get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina: Step 4 – Secure your Certificate from the Registrar of Marriages.
You can expect the certificate to be released after fifteen (15) days of filing the Notice of Intended Marriage, provided that there are no objections and complaints to your upcoming union.
Keep in mind that if only one of the spouses-to-be has attended the appointment, the certification must be claimed by the other. Wherever you are planning to hold your ceremony for the wedding, no marriage can be conducted in Hong Kong without presenting the certificate from the Registrar of Marriages.
How to get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina: Step 5 – Plan your trip to Hong Kong
As a Filipina, you don’t need any visa for Hong Kong if you stay less than 14 days.
But also make sure that your partner is also amongst the countries to travel to Hong Kong visa-free or submit a travel visa for him in time.
Read through this government page to see for which country which visa is needed.
How to get married in Hong Kong as Filipina: Step 6 – Travel to Hong Kong
You may now legally marry your fiancée with the certificate of the Registrar of Marriages. If the wedding will be held at the registry, arrive earlier than your scheduled marriage registry appointment.
The marriage oath will then be recited by both the spouses-to-be, and the marriage contract will be signed. After that, you and your spouse will have then solemnized your wedding.
Conclusion on how get married in Hong Kong as a Filipina:
As a Filipina who desires to get married in Hong Kong, here are a few details to keep in mind.
- Other nationalities can get married in Hong Kong if you abide by the proper process and submit all the requirements.
- It is illegal to marry at sixteen (16). You need parental approval if you are a minor in Hong Kong, ages sixteen (16) to twenty-one (21). Read through all the requirements to get married in Hong Kong as a foreigner.
- Only weddings performed in a licensed house of worship or at a marriage registry are legal. However, you may be married anywhere and have the wedding recognized, but only if a civil celebrant officiates the wedding.
- If the couple is both residing outside of Hong Kong, you must write directly to the Marriage Registration and Records Office for a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage form and information sheet for the Information Required for Registration of Marriage. This Letter shall then be sent to the address provided below or be emailed at enquiry@immd.gov.hk, the Immigration Department.
In case you want to understand why other Filipinas have chosen to marry in Hong Kong watch this YouTube video.
FAQ for getting married in Hong Kong as a Filipina:
1 – Is a Hong Kong marriage certificate valid in the Philippines?
Yes. If you work with us, after receiving the marriage certificate we can put you in touch with our network to show you how to make the government in the Philippines acknowledge the certificate. But generally, it is easy as a Hong Kong marriage is valid internationally.
2 – How can I marry a foreigner as a Filipina?
You have three options to marry a foreigner as a Filipina:
– Marry him in his home country (but this requires you to at least have a tourist visa to his country)
– Marry him in the Philippines (possible, but sometimes it can be a headache)
– Marry him offshore in a different country with very easy marriage procedures, such as Hong Kong or Denmark
3 – How can an American and a Filipina get married?
An American and a Filipina can get married in the Philippines, Denmark, Hong Kong, or the US.
– Denmark and the US may be harder if the Filipina has no valid visa
– Marrying in the Philippines or in Hong Kong would be the easiest option as it is very convenient to travel there as a Filipina
4 – How to marry a Filipina as a foreigner?
As a foreigner, you have three options on where to marry a Filipina:
- In the Philippines (in her home country)
- In your home country
- Offshore (in a neutral) country for sake of speed (e.g. Denmark, Hong Kong)
We will soon publish more blog articles on the differences, and advantages and disadvantages.
Until then feel free to get in touch with us and we help you to see what the right option is for you.
5 – How to marry in the Philippines as a foreigner?
As a foreigner, you can get married in the Philippines, but it can require knowing the process.
We are working on publishing more articles on this topic, but feel free to ask us questions if you have any.
