The Solemnizing Officers Information System (SOIS) is the primary software tool used by the Office of the Civil Registrar General (OCRG) to maintain the repository of solemnizing officers in the Philippines. For the OCRG, it is used to add a new applicant, renew previous registrations, and assist in validating records of current registrants. It is a query system for the benefit of the public.
Legal Basis
On August 3, 1988, pursuant to Article 7 of the Family Code of the Philippines, the duty to register the authority to solemnize marriages and issuance of Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM) was transferred to the OCRG. Specifically, Article 7(2) states that: Marriage may be solemnized by any priest, rabbi, imam, or minister of any church or religious sect duly authorized by his church or religious sect and registered with the civil registrar general, acting within the limits of the written authority granted him by his church or religious sect and provided that at least one of the contracting parties belongs to the solemnizing officer’s church or religious sect.”
Online Presence
The current version of the SOIS took advantage of the internet to provide online data for all regions within the Philippines. Part of this development includes public access to the basic registry information of the Solemnizing Officers (SOs).
For the Solemnizing Officers
Aside from the issued Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM), Solemnizing Officers may check the validity of their license and also keep track of the status of their authority to solemnize marriage.
For the General Public and other Agencies concerned
They may verify within the SOIS website the data of the solemnizing officers such as religious sects, effectivity of the license and jurisdiction.