Beyond CENOMAR: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Your PSA Advisory on Marriages (AOM) via PSA Online Appointment

The Certificate of No Marriage Record (PSA CENOMAR) is the document most people seek when proving single status for a marriage license or visa application. However, if the PSA database finds one or more marriage records under your name—even if annulled, voided, or the spouse is deceased—the PSA will not issue a CENOMAR. Instead, they will issue a PSA Advisory on Marriages (AOM), also known as a Certificate of Marriage (COM) if only one record is found.

Obtaining this advisory, or the corresponding marriage certificate, requires following the mandatory procedures set by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), including securing a PSA Online Appointment for in-person transactions.

This guide will demystify the PSA Advisory on Marriages and walk you through the essential steps for navigating the PSA Online Appointment system to get the correct document you need to prove your current civil status.

I. Understanding the PSA Advisory on Marriages (AOM)

AOM vs. CENOMAR

Use this comparison to understand the critical difference between the two documents:

The AOM Fee Structure

The fee for the PSA Advisory on Marriages is higher than a standard certificate because the PSA system performs a comprehensive search across all provinces. The fee for an AOM requested in person via PSA Online Appointment is currently P210.00 per copy.

II. Step-by-Step Guide: Booking Your PSA Online Appointment for an AOM

The process to obtain an AOM starts with the same steps you would take to request a PSA CENOMAR through the official PSA Online Appointment system at appointment.psa.gov.ph.

Step 1: Access the Official PSA Appointment Portal

Go to the official PSA Civil Registration Services (CRS) Appointment System website.

Accept the Privacy Notice and Important Reminders.

Step 2: Select Your PSA CRS Outlet Location

Choose the most convenient PSA CRS Outlet for your visit.

Click "Next".

Step 3: Input Requester’s Personal and Contact Details

Provide the information of the person who will appear at the PSA office (the "Requester").

• Ensure the Full Name matches your valid government ID exactly.
• Use an Active Email Address to receive the CRS Appointment Slip.

Agree to the data privacy notice and click "Next".

Step 4: OTP Verification

Retrieve the 6-digit One-Time Password (OTP) from your email inbox (check spam).

Enter the OTP to verify your account.

Step 5: Specify Your Request (Start with CENOMAR)

• Identify Your Relationship: Select "Self" or the appropriate relationship.
• Input Document Details (for the Subject Person): Provide the full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names of the person whose marital status is being verified.

Click "Next".

Step 6: Select Your Appointment Schedule

Choose an available date and time slot from the calendar for your mandatory in-person visit.

Click "Next".

Step 7: Final Review and Confirmation

Review all the details, especially the subject person's information, which is critical for the search.

Click "Confirm" to finalize the booking for your PSA Online Appointment.

Step 8: Receive and Save Your CRS Appointment Slip

An email containing the official CRS Appointment Slip (with a QR code) will be sent.

Print this slip and save a digital copy. It is essential for entry and validation at the PSA outlet.

III. Your Checklist for the PSA Appointment Day

Preparation ensures that the transaction goes smoothly, whether you receive a PSA CENOMAR or a PSA Advisory on Marriages.

📝 Required Documents (Original and Photocopy)

• CRS Appointment Slip: The printed or digital copy with the QR code.
• Requester’s Valid Government-Issued ID: One (1) valid ID that matches the name used for the PSA Online Appointment.
• Proof of Relationship: If requesting for a child or parent, bring your own PSA Birth Certificate or PSA Marriage Certificate to prove the relationship.
• Required Fee: Have cash ready to pay the P210.00 fee (for AOM/CENOMAR).
• Application Form (AF) and Queue Ticket Number (QTN): To be provided and filled out at the outlet.

👥 Special Requirement if Annulled or Voided

If you expect to receive an AOM and need to prove your legal capacity to remarry, you must also bring:

• Original and Certified True Copy of the Court Decree of Annulment/Absolute Nullity.
• The PSA Marriage Certificate bearing the ANNOTATION of the court decree. If the annotation is not yet on the PSA copy, the AOM will not be enough to prove your single status.

IV. The In-Person Processing at the PSA CRS Outlet

On the day of your PSA Online Appointment, the process is straightforward:

1. Verification and Entry

• Arrive On Time: Be at the PSA CRS Outlet 15-30 minutes before your scheduled slot.
• Initial Check: Present your CRS Appointment Slip and valid ID for entry and to receive your Application Form (AF) and Queue Ticket Number (QTN).

2. Submission and Assessment

• Transacting Window: When your QTN is called, submit the filled-out AF, QTN, and your valid ID/s.
• System Search: The PSA officer will run the request in the system.
• AOM Determination:
  • - If No Record is Found: They will proceed to issue the PSA CENOMAR.
  • - If Records are Found: They will automatically process the request as a PSA Advisory on Marriages (AOM) or Certificate of Marriage (COM).

3. Payment

• You will be directed to the cashier to pay the P210.00 fee.
• Official Receipt (OR): Keep the Official Receipt safe as proof of payment and your claim stub.

4. Claiming the Document

• Release Time: PSA CENOMAR/AOM requests are generally processed quickly and may be released on the same day (usually within a few hours). If the record requires verification, the release may be scheduled for a later date.
• Final Check: Upon receipt of your document, immediately verify the details. If you received a PSA Advisory on Marriages, ensure it correctly lists the marriage record(s) found under your name.

V. Troubleshooting and Key Tips

1. Why Did I Get an AOM Instead of a CENOMAR?

The system found a record. This is the only reason. This record could be a marriage you contracted, or it could be a case of "Common Name" where another person with the exact same name and similar birth details has a marriage record.

Action: If you truly have never married, the PSA officer may advise you to file a Petition for Cancellation of Adverse Marriage Record (if the record is confirmed to be for another person).

2. What If My Annulment is Not on the AOM?

If the PSA Advisory on Marriages shows your marriage without the "Annulled" or "Voided" remark, it means the court decree has not been registered (annotated) in the PSA database.

Action: You must go back to the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) where your marriage was registered and ensure the annotation is fully recorded, submitted, and updated by the PSA. Until this is done, you are legally considered married.

3. Alternative: Online Ordering

If navigating the in-person PSA Online Appointment process is too complex or time-consuming, you can order a PSA CENOMAR (which automatically converts to an AOM if a record is found) through official online delivery services. This avoids the mandatory office visit but comes at a higher service cost.

Conclusion

By understanding that the request for a PSA CENOMAR can result in the issuance of a PSA Advisory on Marriages, you are better prepared to handle the outcome. Use the PSA Online Appointment system to efficiently secure the correct document you need to prove your current civil status.