Let's make it clear, what are allowed here are only minor changes in entries (such as correction or change of first name/nickname). If you want to change the sex, age, nationality or civil status in your birth certificate, a separate article will discuss regarding that.
Procedures in Correction/Change of the First Name or Nickname in your Birth Certificate?
Remember, correction and change of first name are different. If your first name or nickname is misspelled (had a wrong spelling), then you have to request for Correction of Civil Entry (CCE). For example, correcting the first name "Jeson" into "Jason". On the other hand, if you have a completely different first name in your birth certificate (example: you often used Lily but what is registered in your birth certificate is "Lailah"), then you have to request for Change of First Name (CFN).
Let's proceed...
1. Secure and bring the the needed requirements.
- For those who want for Correction of Clerical Error (CCE), below are the needed requirements.
- 2 valid id's or any of the following id's:
- Driver's license
- Baptismal certificate
- COMELEC Voter’s id
- GSIS or SSS id
- School ID
- Land Title/Certificate of Transfer of Title
- Bank records
- others (as required by the Civil Registrar)
- Birth certificate (NSO copy)
- Birth certificate (Local Civil Registrar copy)
- If petitioner or the person who request is not the document/birth certificate owner, you should attach a Power-of-attorney
- Required clearance, to wit:
- NBI Clearance
- PNP Clearance
- Certificate of Employment with no pending administrative case (for employed) or Affidavit of Unemployment (for unemployed applicants); Business permit (for self-employed)
- For those who want for Change of First Name (CFN), the needed requirements are:
- 2 valid id's or any of the following:
- Driver’s License
- Employment Record
- Baptismal Certificate
- Business Record
- COMELEC Voter’s Affidavit/record
- GSIS or SSS record
- Medical Record
- Insurance Record
- Land Title/Certificate of Land Transfer
- Bank passbook
- Others (as required by the Civil Registrar)
- Birth certificate (NSO copy)
- Birth certificate (Local Civil Registrar copy)
- If petitioner is not the document owner, attach a Power-of-Attorney
2. Go to the Civil Registrar's Office. Get and fill-out the forms:
- Petition Form RA9048 1.1 - for Correction of Clerical Error (CCE)
- Petition form RA9048 4.1 - for Change of First Name (CFN)
You can get these forms in the Civil Registrar's Office.
Who are elegible to apply for a petition?
- a person must be of legal age (18 years old and above). Thus, a minor (less than 18 year old) cannot file a petition.
- a person must be the owner of the record (or birth certificate) that contains error in first name
- if you are not the owner of the record (or birth certificate), you can still file a petition if you are the spouse, son/daughter/, parent(s), brother, sister, grandparent, guardian, or any other person duly authorized by law or owner of the record.
How much are the fees?
- Filing Fee for CCE ...................... PhP 1,000.00
- Filing Fee for CFN ....................... PhP 3,000.00
- Mailing Fee ................................ PhP 80.00
- Endorsement Fee ....................... PhP 250.00
Migrant petitioners (or out-of-town applicationts) shall pay an additional service fee to the Petition Receiving Civil Registrar (PRCR). This service fee will accrue to the local treasury of the PRCR:
- For CCE .................................... PhP 500.00
- For CFN ..................................... PhP 1,000.00
In case of a petition filed with the Consul General (CG), the fees are the same for all Philippine Consulates. The fees are the following:
- For CCE .................................... $ 50.00
- CFN .......................................... $ 150.00