Below is a comprehensive discussion of the topic “PSA CENOMAR Cancellation” in the context of Philippine law and practice. This aims to clarify what a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) is, how it is issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), what “cancellation” might entail, and what relevant procedures and legal considerations come into play.

1. Understanding the PSA CENOMAR

1.1 What is a CENOMAR?
A Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), also sometimes referred to as a “Certificate of Singleness,” is an official certification issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It attests that a person has no recorded marriage in the nationwide civil registry maintained by the PSA.

If the records indicate that you have no existing or prior marriage on file, the PSA certifies that no marriage exists in its database under your name.
If the PSA finds any marriage record(s) under your name, it will not issue a “no marriage” certificate. Instead, it may issue a record that reflects your registered marriage(s).

1.2 Common Purposes of a CENOMAR

Marriage License Applications: When two parties are applying for a marriage license in the Philippines, the local civil registrar may require both parties to submit a CENOMAR.
Visa or Immigration Applications: Some embassies and immigration authorities request a CENOMAR as proof of single status.
Proof of Civil Status for Other Legal Purposes: Employers, schools, or certain transactions may require official proof of singleness.

2. “Cancellation” of a PSA CENOMAR – What Does It Mean?

Strictly speaking, a “CENOMAR” is either issued or not issued based on the presence (or absence) of any marriage record in PSA’s files. The PSA itself does not have a process specifically called “CENOMAR Cancellation,” because a CENOMAR simply reflects what is in the database at the time of issuance. However, individuals or couples sometimes speak of “canceling” a CENOMAR in scenarios such as the following:

A subsequent discovery of a valid marriage record:
- A person who has a prior existing marriage might later discover that the PSA had not recorded it or had an incomplete record at the time they requested their CENOMAR.
- If they have used an earlier “no record of marriage” certificate but in fact have a valid marriage, this discrepancy can lead to legal or administrative complications.
An erroneous or invalid marriage record in the PSA database:
- Sometimes a marriage may be erroneously recorded. For instance, there might be typographical or clerical errors that cause a marriage to appear under the wrong person’s name.
- In other cases, a marriage is declared null or void by a competent court, but the PSA records still show an existing marriage until those records are corrected or annotated.
Correcting one’s civil status after an annulment or declaration of nullity:
- If a court has annulled or declared a marriage null, that marriage certificate remains in the civil registry unless and until the final court decree is forwarded to the PSA and the Local Civil Registrar for annotation.
- After the annotated record is updated, the person may once again be able to secure a CENOMAR (reflecting single status or that no marriage is in effect), effectively superseding any prior PSA record of that marriage.

Key Point:

The PSA does not “cancel” previously issued documents. Instead, the official record changes or is “annotated” when a lawful basis (e.g., court order) requires the civil registry to reflect that a marriage never existed or has been nullified.
After a successful correction or annotation, the PSA could then issue an updated certificate (whether a CENOMAR or a Marriage Certificate with annotations) that reflects the person’s current legal status.

3. Legal Bases and Procedures for Rectifying or Updating Civil Registry Records

3.1 Relevant Philippine Laws on Civil Registry Corrections and Annotations

Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9048 (as amended by R.A. 10172)
- Allows administrative correction of certain errors in civil registry documents without going to court (e.g., typographical or clerical errors, corrections in day and month of birth, changes in first name).
- Does not typically cover changes in marital status because that generally requires more than an administrative correction; marital status changes ordinarily require a judicial proceeding or a proper annotation reflecting a judicial decree.
Judicial Proceedings (Annulment, Nullity, or Recognition of Foreign Divorce)
- If a marriage is alleged to be void or voidable (annulment, nullity cases), or there is a foreign divorce recognized by Philippine law, a court proceeding is generally necessary.
- Once a judicial decree is final and executory, the court order is transmitted to the Local Civil Registrar and ultimately to the PSA. The marriage record is then annotated or corrected, which would enable the affected party to obtain an updated certificate reflecting their revised civil status.
Civil Code and the Family Code of the Philippines
- The substantive laws on marriage, annulment, declaration of nullity, and related matters are contained here. These provisions govern what makes a marriage valid, voidable, or void, and thus underlie whether a marriage record should remain in effect or be annotated to show it was invalid.

3.2 Typical Process to Rectify a Marriage Record or Update Civil Status

Determine the error or basis for “canceling” the recorded marriage (e.g., the marriage was declared null/void, there was identity theft, or it was recorded to the wrong person).
File the appropriate petition in court if it concerns more than a simple clerical error.
Obtain a final and executory judgment or decree that states the marriage is annulled, declared void, or otherwise not valid.
Submit the court decree to the Local Civil Registrar where the marriage was registered. Request the annotation of the marriage certificate on file.
Submit the annotated copy (from the Local Civil Registrar) to the PSA or request the PSA to update its records.
Request new copies of your PSA documents to ensure the corrections or annotations appear.
- After this step, if the court has declared that the marriage never existed (null and void from the beginning), your PSA records would reflect no existing marriage. You could then request and obtain a CENOMAR accurately stating that you have no marriage on file.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

4.1 Can I just ask the PSA to remove or “cancel” an erroneous marriage record?
No. The PSA will not remove or nullify a recorded marriage absent a judicial or administrative order authorizing it to do so. A mere request or affidavit from you is insufficient. If the issue is that the marriage is void or voidable, the remedy usually involves a court proceeding.

4.2 I discovered I was able to get a CENOMAR even though I am married. Is my existing CENOMAR valid?
If you truly have a valid marriage, a CENOMAR that states “no marriage record” may have been issued because the PSA had no record of it at the time. However, it does not negate the legal existence of your marriage if it was validly celebrated. The spouse or the local civil registrar may eventually submit the marriage certificate to the PSA, and that record will appear in the database. The fact that you once obtained a CENOMAR could be called into question if there was an attempt to use it for misrepresentation.

4.3 I am separated from my spouse. Does that mean I can “cancel” my PSA marriage record and get a CENOMAR?
No. Legal separation or de facto separation does not dissolve or nullify a marriage. You remain married in the eyes of the law until you obtain a final court decision for annulment, declaration of nullity, or recognition of a valid foreign divorce (for qualified Filipinos). Only then can the record be annotated and your civil status updated.

4.4 Once my marriage is nullified, do I automatically get a CENOMAR?
You will be able to request a CENOMAR or an annotated marriage certificate only after the Local Civil Registrar and the PSA have updated their records. Usually, you must secure and submit to them:

The final and executory court decision;
Certificate of Finality; and
Entry of Judgment (where applicable).

4.5 Do I need a lawyer to handle the correction or cancellation process?

For minor clerical errors: If it qualifies under R.A. 9048, you may apply administratively through the Local Civil Registrar without a lawyer.
For declarations of nullity/annulment: You will almost always need to go through a court process with legal representation.

5. Practical Tips and Reminders

Always double-check your PSA records early. If you plan to marry, migrate, or complete important transactions, request copies of your birth certificate and CENOMAR (or marriage certificate if you have been married) well in advance.
Secure legal advice. If you believe a marriage is invalid or was erroneously recorded in your name, consult a lawyer to determine if you need a judicial remedy.
Retain important documents. Keep certified true copies of any court decrees, certificates of finality, or orders related to nullification or annulment. These will be vital for instructing the Local Civil Registrar and PSA to annotate or correct their records.
Follow up with both the Local Civil Registrar and the PSA. Even after you submit the required court documents, processing can take time. Ensure the corrected or annotated record is actually reflected in PSA’s system before requesting a new CENOMAR.

6. Conclusion

“PSA CENOMAR Cancellation” as a term is somewhat misleading because the Philippine Statistics Authority does not literally “cancel” a CENOMAR. Instead, what occurs is updating or annotating the civil registry records upon receiving the proper legal basis—usually in the form of a final court decree declaring a marriage void, annulled, or otherwise corrected. Once the record is accurately updated, a person can request a new CENOMAR that reflects their true civil status.

In essence:

No stand-alone mechanism exists simply to revoke or cancel a previously issued CENOMAR.
Correcting erroneous data (including a mistakenly recorded marriage or updating a voided marriage) usually requires either an administrative correction (for minor errors) or a judicial proceeding (for substantial or complex errors, including invalidation of marriage).
The updated or annotated record, once properly registered with the PSA, leads to the issuance of accurate certifications regarding one’s civil status.

Anyone dealing with potentially inaccurate PSA marriage records—or seeking to reflect a court-annulled or nullified marriage—should work with legal counsel, coordinate with the Local Civil Registrar, and ensure that all steps for record annotation are diligently followed.