NSO warns of 'fake' marriage officials

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Beware of goats in sheep’s clothing.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) in the region warned couples who are planning to get married to first check if the officiating entities are accredited by their office to ensure that their marriage contracts are legal and binding.

NSO information officer Angelina Callangan said that priests, pastors or religious laymen officiating marriages have to first secure permits or accreditation from their office before they could officiate at weddings.

The NSO pronouncement came amid reports that there are priests or pastors not sanctioned by any religious sect or by the state who are officiating wedding rites and soliciting contributions.

Callangan said their office only issue permits to solemnize marriage or certificate of registration to religious personalities upon completion of seminars in relation to their duties as state-accredited marriage officiating officers.

She said any marriage contract solemnized by officiating officials not registered with the NSO, the sole government agency authorized to process and approve said accreditation, is considered null and void and can be declared illegal.

“The certificate of registration is already the accreditation of the solemnizing officers. Without this, they are illegal officiating officials,” said Callangan, stressing that such accreditation given to solemnizing officers are renewable every three years.