The barangay officials may require personal appearances by neighbors as witnesses or the submission of affidavits attesting to the couple's cohabitation. After verification, the barangay will issue a certification that the two individuals have indeed lived together as residents of that barangay.
In the Philippines, the concept of an Affidavit of Cohabitation derives its legal basis from the Family Code and other related laws. It is often used in situations where two individuals, usually a man and a woman, have lived together for a significant period as though they were married.
Draft Affidavit: Write the affidavit, including spouses' names, birth dates, marriage date, location, and witness details. Notarize the Document: Visit a notary public to authenticate the affidavit with signatures and official stamps.
As discussed earlier, under Article 34 of the Family Code, an affidavit of cohabitation can be used to bypass the requirement of a marriage license if the couple has lived together for at least five years and there is no legal impediment to their marriage.
II. Essential Elements of an Affidavit of Cohabitation Personal Information of the Affiants. Full legal names (though for sample templates, placeholders may be used). Statement of Cohabitation. Relevant Dates and Duration. Purpose of the Affidavit. Acknowledgment of Truth and Voluntary Execution. Signature and Notarization.
It can be written by the couple themselves or with the help of an attorney and it should be notarized. The purpose of a cohabitation agreement is to establish an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of either party. This contract can be beneficial during the relationship and if the two decide to separate.
Article 147 and Article 148 of the Family Code are crucial provisions that address the property relations of couples in a common-law marriage. The affidavit, therefore, becomes a key document to establish proof of cohabitation, especially when there is no formal or legal marriage.
JOINT AFFIDAVIT OF COHABITATION We, Person 1 Name, and Person 2 Name, both Filipino, single, and of legal age, after being duly sworn to ing to law, hereby depose and state: 1. We have been living together as spouses for more than five (5) years without any interruption since Date.