How to Correct a PSA Birth Certificate Error While Residing Abroad
Having birth certificate corrections addressed is easy if you live in the Philippines. All you have to do is visit your Local Civil Registry Office and file the necessary petition, affidavit, or submit the case to a lawyer. But how about if the owner of the birth certificate resides or works abroad and could not personally attend to the correction process in the Philippines?
Thankfully, there is a way to have erroneous birth certificates corrected even if the owner or the authorized representative is abroad. A Filipino whose birth was registered in the Philippines but is now residing abroad, may still be able to have his erroneous birth certificate corrected even if he is thousands of miles away from his home country.
Most Common Birth Certificate Errors
1. Missing details on the birth certificate such as blank spaces where the first, middle, or last name of the owner should be.
2. First name written on the birth certificate is not the name used by the owner.
3. Typographical errors on name and or birthdate.
How to File a Birth Certificate Correction at your Consulate
If you reside or work abroad and need to have your birth certificate details corrected, you may do so through the assistance of the Philippine Consulate in the city or country where you currently reside. Be forewarned that having birth certificate corrections processed abroad take longer compared to having it corrected in the Philippines. It is for this reason that most Filipinos abroad opt to have a relative or friend in the Philippines file the petitions and corrections on their behalf.
The following process is based on the process for Petition for Correction of Clerical Error, and Change of First Name in Reports of Birth, Death, or Marriage in the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. This is unique to this particular consular office and some of the processes may be different in consular offices in other countries. For the sake of example, I am sharing this in today's blog:
ABOUT THE SERVICE
Republic Act No. 9048 authorizes the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general to correct a typing error in an entry and/or change of first name or nickname in the civil register without need of a judicial order. An administrative remedy in nature, it is not a judicial process in changing an entry in civil registry documents. It is aimed at allowing petitioner a faster way of correcting errors found in their civil registry records.
Step-by-step process:
1. Presentation of problem
Approach the consular assistant at the window and inform them about the problem in your civil registry record.
2. Discussion of remedy
You will be provided with the most applicable solution to your case, based on the error in your civil registry record.
3. List of requirements
The consular assistant will provide you the list of documents and IDs needed for the filing of the petition. Please remember that these requirements may vary depending on the case or type of error. You may be required to present other documents that are not included in this list.
- Certified copy of the civil registry certificate with error
- At least two documents showing basis for correction
- Other relevant documents may be required.
In case a petition was previously filed in the Philippines for the same error, submit a verified Petition from the Civil Registrar Certification of Posting in the Philippines.
4. Submission of requirements
Submit all the required supporting documents for review.
5. Payment of fees
Pay the required fees at the cashier and do not forget to secure official receipts.
6. Preparation of Petition
Go back to the Consular Assistant to complete the petition. Two original copies are completed and two certified copies.
7. The Consul General reviews and notarizes the petition
The Consul General also administers the oath of the petitioner.
8. Posting at the Consulate Public Notice
In case of change of name, the petition will be posted or published for two weeks.
9. Consul General renders a decision within five working days after posting or publication.
10. Transmittal of Approved Petition to PSA through DFA Manila for affirmation.
After the PSA affirms, and the petition has become final, the Embassy issues a Certification of Finality which is given to the petitioner and certified copies are forwarded to PSA through DFA.
Things to remember when filing birth certificate corrections abroad:
1. You may get different advises from different consulates and registrars. Always bring the complete set of documents when consulting your case at the consulate. It may also be good to contact the Philippine LCR where the birth certificate was registered for their opinion before you begin talking to the consulate. The consulate will also most likely consult your case with the LCR in the Philippines.
2. It may be best for you to personally mail the documents to the Philippines instead of leaving it entirely to the consulate. According to research, Philippine consulates often wait until they have enough petitions before they mail these to Manila. If you wish to get faster results, make consistent follow-ups at the consulate and be ready to pick-up your documents for mailing when these are ready.
3. Some corrections require authentication at the DFA. This must be done personally by the owner of the birth certificate, his or her parents (if the owner is a minor), or an authorized representative.
4. After the correction is approved, the owner (or authorized representative) must endorse the corrected copy to the PSA
5. Petitions for correction, supplemental reports (for missing entries), and the like can take months to years before these are completed. If you have relatives and friends in the Philippines who would be willing to work on the documents on your behalf, it may be better to simply file the correction at the LCR where the birth certificate was registered.
I hope these information helped shed light on your questions about birth certificate correction for Filipinos who reside abroad. Feel free to comment or send me an email if your have clarifications.
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