The Birth Certificate is a common pre-requisite to a lot of documentary processes not only here in the Philippines but around the world. From enrolling in school and to a Driver’s License application, a Birth Certificate is essential to the process of registration being a valid proof of identity. Most of us have the original of our Birth Certificate, the one from our local registrar, and if you think a photocopy of it is enough, think again. A lot of institutions will require a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate printed in their special paper called SECPA or security paper with their logo. One example of which is the Department of Foreign Affairs, in the case of acquiring a passport. So, whether we like it or not, in some point of our lives, we will be required to get a PSA Birth Certificate.
In my case, I have to get a PSA Birth Certificate for my son Joachim because I applied for his passport with the DFA.
So, how do you get a PSA issued Birth Certificate? Just follow the steps I outlined below.
Walk-in Application for Birth Certificate
- Fill out the PSA Birth Certificate Application Form. You can either go to your local PSA office to get the form or download it online (edit: the downloaded form is not accepted in the local PSA branch here, I had to fill out the same form that came from them) https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/Files/Birth%20Application%20Form.pdf
- Pay 140.00 for one copy at the PSA cashier.
- Wait for the release of your Birth Certificate, in my case, it took 3 business days. This is because our local PSA branch forwards all applications to the regional PSA office for the printing of the Birth Certificate. If you apply at their regional office, you get it after an hour.
- Claim your Birth Certificate at the PSA Branch, bring your receipt and valid I.D.
Online Application for Birth Certificate or E Census
If you are far from a PSA branch, you could apply online and they will send it out to you. Here are the steps:
- Go to https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx
- Click on Step 1 and you will be directed to another page. Take the time to read the notes, then click “click here to request now.”
- You will be directed to the Terms and Conditions page, read up and click “I accept” at the bottom.
- Next will be filling out the Contact and Delivery Information.
- Confirm your details.
- After which you will be directed to Requests Summary, click on Birth Certificate.
- Fill out the name on the Birth Certificate and other details. If married female, use your maiden name. Click “save” when done.
- Confirm the details.
- You will be directed to the Requests Summary page. It will show the amount to be paid, the delivery address and contact details. You have the option to add another request such as Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate and CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) in case you want those documents processed together with your current request.
- After clicking “submit” you will be directed to the Acknowledgement page where your Batch Request Number will be shown. This information will also be sent to your email.
- The next step will be the payment. You have the option to pay through Unionbank or BDO either thru any of their branches or thru their online payment facility if you are enrolled in their online banking. For further information, here’s the link to the FAQs regarding https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/FAQs.aspx
Birth Certificates DO NOT Expire
In a PSA press statement dated June 30, 2016 , they unequivocally denied the prevailing notion that birth certificates are only valid for a year. According to PSA, they may change their SECPA or security paper but the previously issued birth certificates are still valid regardless of the date issued. I have also talked to a DFA personnel in the Tacloban Regional Office and was informed that they do not require for the Birth Certificate to be issued not more than a year. As long as the PSA Birth Certificate is not torn or mutilated, they will accept it. She also clarified that the requirement for not more than a year issuance was for supporting documents such as the PSA Marriage Contract.
Thank you! This is very helpful.
I have a question though. I’m already married however I haven’t changed my name. For filling out the form for marriage contract request, should I put my maiden name or my married name? I haven’t changed any of my details in any documents/ID’s I have.
Thanks,
The request form for Marriage Certificate asks for your maiden name.
Mam, Nso birth cert will do?
Are you referring to Passport requirements ma’am? Yes, Birth Certificate issued by then NSO should still be valid as per the PSA advisory. However, please double check with the DFA branch as they might have a different policy regarding this.
Is the NSO birth cert. Still valid to renew my sons passport?
Yes ma’am, as long as the birth certificate is not mutilated.
Just got here frm dfa for red ribn they dnt accept my docs snce its still nso and nt psa.
Is it a birth certificate or a Marriage certificate? If it’s a birth certificate it should have been accepted. However, if it’s a marriage certificate, it should have been issued not over a year, so maybe it should be PSA.
Now if it was a birth certificate, they should have accepted it even if it was NSO. That’s what the DFA personnel told me. I’m sorry they didn’t accept your NSO birth certificate. I would clarify this info again.
God Bless!
PS: You mentioned red ribbon though, I’m not sure if it’s the same with the passport application.
I have to register my marriage certificate and request for PSA… do I need to pass my current passport and will they keep it until I will received my PSA? what do I need to bring to register my marriage?
Hi Joy! I’m not sure about the requirements for registration of marriage certificate with PSA. But I do remember that when I got married in civil rites, the local registrar was the one who forwarded my marriage certificate to PSA. I believe they will not keep your passport for that. But please do go to your local PSA branch to clarify their requirements. Thanks and have a good day!
How can I change the requester’s name? I misspelled the surname accidentally.
Hi Steph! There is a change/edit button on the “contact/delivery information.”
Thanks so much! I was scared that I will not be able to process my passport renewal because of the PSA Birth certificate. Good thing I found your blog 🙂
This might help others too…
PSA Serbilis Outlets that can process your birth certificate in 30min-1 hour, PSA website below (left side of the page)
http://psa.gov.ph/directory
Requirements for Birth certificate at PSA Serbilis Outlets
http://psa.gov.ph/civil-registration-services/walk-applications-serbilis-outlets
PSA Hotline (24/7)
https://nsohelpline.ph/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImfOKuL-i2wIVwhiPCh16QQicEAAYASAAEgIaOPD_BwE
Hi Berna! Thanks for the additional helpful links. 🙂 You might want to double check with the DFA branch where you will renew your passport, just to be very sure because there was an earlier comment on this thread that said her NSO docs were not honored by DFA for red ribbon.
I included the contact number of the DFA passport division, in case you need it. God Bless!
PASSPORT DIVISION
651-9430
PASSPORT PROCESSING SECTION
Local 2269 / 2268
Barangay clearance is a valid ID to get a PSA birth certificate?
Hi Flor! These are the Valid ID’s accepted by PSA as per their website
Office/Company ID
School ID (unexpired)
SSS/GSIS/Pag-Ibig/PhilHealth
Professional License
Senior Citizen’s ID
Driver’s License
Passport
NBI Clearance
PhilPost ID
Voter’s ID
PWD ID
Hello,
How long does it take to receive the birth certificate when mailed to United States.
Thanks a bunch!
International delivery will be through FedEx.
“FedEx International Priority. Delivery typically in 1 to 3 business days, next business day to the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean from most countries. Reach major cities in Europe by 10:30 am typically in two business days. Ship any package up to 68 kg.”
Hi just want to ask why do the birth certificate vary in color? What does yellow, green and brown means?
Hi! I don’t think there is any reason for that except maybe it is just the color of the Security Paper (secpa) available as of the time of printing. 🙂