A marriage based on a falsified affidavit of cohabitation may be considered void, as it lacks a marriage license, a formal requirement of marriage. Article 34 of the Family Code allows a couple to marry without a license if they have lived together for five years, but this exception requires a genuine common-law cohabitation period. In a 2026 Supreme Court decision, the court emphasized that a falsified affidavit does not exempt a couple from obtaining a marriage license. A marriage founded on a false declaration is considered void for lacking a marriage license.

Originally reported by The Manila Times.