How to Obtain an Advisory on Marriages (CRS Form 5) from NSO

The long queues, unfriendly employees and the long processing time of documents are just some of the reasons why I dread going to any government office here in the Philippines. Read: Namumuntikan ako lagi mapaaway. But then again, I have no choice. I have to help my sister-in-law.

I haven’t been married yet so I’m not familiar with this so called CRS Form 5 or the Advisory on Marriages. As per my understanding, it is the document that states if you have been married (and how many times?). It is actually the counterpart of CENOMAR or the Certificate of No Marriage. 

As much as I don’t want to discuss it here in my blog, I’ll just give a background on why I need to secure a CRS Form 5. My brother passed away a year ago and I was assisting my sister-in-law in processing the death claim benefit from SSS.  Sad to say, 10 months after completing the requirements, the status is still “for processing”. She’s currently working abroad so I had to follow it up it on her behalf.  My mom got a call from SSS Mandaluyong the other day telling her that we needed to submit a form 5. To to clarify it, I went to the branch office yesterday.  

Mr. Pangilinan, the one in-charge of death claims informed me that I had to secure a CRS Form 5 from NSO for my brother and my sis-in-law. Yes, another requirement that was not mentioned beforehand. What's new? But I understand the need for it since there are a lot of FRAUDS out there pretending to be beneficiaries. And so I went to Census Serbilis Center at the Old Makati City Hall this morning.  And since I’m already there, I might as well request for my birth certificate for my Taiwan Visa application.

I was inside the building around 9:45AM and unbelievably, left the building at 11:10AM. I could have waited for my birth certificate to be released by 11:45AM but I was already hungry. After all, I’m going back next week for my brother and sister-in-law’s documents.

Just in case you also need to get a CRS Form 5, here's what I did. 

(Same procedure goes for securing birth certificate, marriage, death and CENOMAR.)  No need to transact with fixers. It’s easy-peasy.

1. Proceed to the Public Assistance Desk and ask where to get the forms.You will be directed to the FORMS window.

 

2. Tell the officer at the FORMS window that you’re getting a CRS Form 5 or Advisory on Marriages. You will be given a green form. (It’s the same form used for securing CENOMAR).

3. Fill out the forms. Including the back. NSO is not strict with releasing of this form. Unlike birth certificates, the requester doesn’t have to be the parent or the spouse. Anyone can request for it.

4. Make sure you completed the form before lining up at the SCREENER window. The officer at the SCREENER window then checks if you have filled out all the necessary information. He also checks for spelling, etc.

5. Pay at LGU Cashier. Php 40 per copy. Wait for your receipt.

6. Pay at the NSO Cashier. Php 195/copy. (birth certificates are Php 140/copy).Wait for your receipt stamped with the date and time of release.

*It usually takes 4-5 working days for CRS Form 5 to be released. I was asked to go back on September 18.

Directions to NSO Serbilis Makati:

This is the nearest NSO branch since I live near the boundary of Mandaluyong and Makati. Plus my mom always gets our birth certificates here because it's mabilis as compared to the main office. Those who live in San Juan can take this direction but the Pasig Branch might be an easier option for you.

1. Take the “Hulo” Jeepney and ask the driver to drop you off below the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge. Fare is Php 8. The Hulo route passes through Kalentong, JRU-Shaw Blvd, Acacia Lane, and P.Cruz (crossing Boni Avenue).

2. Cross the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge and walk until you reach JP Rizal.

3. You can take any jeepney and ask the driver to drop you off at Makati City Hall. Go down when you see Eastwest and DBP to your left. That is F. Zobel St. Fare is Php 8.

4. The ride is actually just less than a minute. You can actually walk going there.

5. NSO is located at the Old City Hall.

*If it’s too tiring for you, there are tricycles that cross the bridge and can take you to City Hall. I’m not sure about the fare though.

Update: I came back today, September 18, to pick up the documents. Was supposed to be there by 9:10 am but came 20 minutes late so I proceeded to the backdate release window. There was no line, so yay! I presented my claim stubs and ID and in less than 2 minutes, got my docs. I didn't have to wait for my name to be announced and fall in line.