Sample affidavit of delayed registration of marriage

Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco

CIVIL REGISTRY

General Information

In order to register the birth, marriage or death abroad of a Filipino to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to the Philippines, it should be reported to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General having jurisdiction over where the vital event took place.

The consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is as follows: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, Northern Nevada (covering the city of Carson and the counties of Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine), Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Northern California (covering the counties of Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba).

Applications are to be filed by mail to The Philippine Consulate General, Attn: Civil Registry Section, 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco 94108.

The applicant may also report the vital event at the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate General to their residence, for onward transmittal to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General where the vital event took place.

Procedure and Requirements

A child born in the United States may file a Report of Birth in order to be recognized as a Filipino citizen and considered as a dual citizen at birth under the following conditions:

LEGITIMATE CHILD BORN BEFORE 17 JANUARY 1973: The father must be a Filipino citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
ILLEGITIMATE CHILD BORN BEFORE 17 JANUARY 1973: The mother must be a Filipino citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
CHILD BORN ON OR AFTER 17 JANUARY 1973: (1) Either or both the father or mother must be a Filipino citizen at the time of the child’s birth; or (2) The child was included as a derivative dual citizen when the father or mother reacquired/retained dual citizenship under R.A. 9225.

A. Reporting Births of Children of Filipino Citizens in the United States

See this CHECKLIST for an easy reference of the requirements, but please read the details below :

1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to report a birth with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address).

2. Four (4) original duly-accomplished Report of Birth (ROB) forms. The following entries must be made:

- Entries must be printed/typewritten. Handwritten documents will not be accepted. Please use the fillable PDF link to accomplish the form: Report of Birth (ROB) form
- The name of the child should follow the Philippine Naming Convention.
- Entries should be made in the exact format indicated in the ROB form (ex. Date: 28 March 2020, Place: San Francisco, California, USA).
- The mother should use her maiden name (birth name/ name before marriage) in filling out the ROB form.
- Entries must be at the time of birth of the child/subject.
- For the signature of the informant:
  a. If the birth is reported in person by one of the parents, the attending physician, or the person whose birth is being reported if over 18 years of age – all four (4) duly-accomplished forms will be sworn to and signed by the informant before a Consular Officer/Staff; or
  b. If submitting the ROB by mail – item 20 must be notarized by a Notary Public (first copy only, while other three copies may be photocopied with the Notary Public’s seal and signature). Item 21 and item 22 should be left blank.
3. One (1) original and three (3) photocopies of Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Birth, duly notarized, only when reporting the birth a year or more after its occurrence. Otherwise, there is no need to submit said Affidavit.
- - Attach a photocopy of the valid ID of the child/subject if it is already available.
  4. The original and four (4) photocopies of the child’s U.S. Certificate of Live Birth. (The original shall be returned with the processed Report of Birth)
  
  5. Four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate (PSA authenticated marriage certificate or foreign marriage contract) of the parents.
  - - If the parents are not married at the time of the child’s birth – see additional requirements below.
    - If the parents were married in the Philippines or had their foreign marriage reported to a Philippine Embassy/Consulate over a year from reporting child’s birth – the Report of Marriage/ Marriage Certificate must be issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) formerly NSO.
    6. Four (4) photocopies of the valid passport of both parents, together with any of the following:
    - - For the Filipino parent (proof of Philippine Citizenship at the time of birth of the child) – submit photocopies of Philippine Passport, Resident Alien Card/ Permanent Resident Card and/or Philippine Dual Citizenship (Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval), copy of visa (if tourist, leisure or business purpose), job contract or working permit (if working abroad at the time of child’s birth).
      - For parents who reacquired their Philippine Citizenship after the child’s birth (Dual Citizen/s) – four (4) photocopies of Identification Certificate, Order of Approval, or Petition for Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship, indicating the name of the child as a minor derivative of the parent’s re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship.
      - If the Filipino Parent/s was a former Filipino citizen and have acquired foreign citizenship (i.e. American, etc.) after the child’s birth – four (4) photocopies of U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (the date of naturalization must be after the date of child’s birth)
      7. Four (4) photocopies of the Identification Document of the subject (person to be registered). Ex: US passport, Driver’s License, School ID, etc.
      
      B. R.A. 9255 (An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of Their Father, Amending for the Purpose Article 176 of Executive Order No. 209, Otherwise Known as the “Family Code of the Philippines”)
      
      R.A. 9255 shall apply to all illegitimate children born on or after 19 March 2004. Illegitimate children born on 03 August 1988 to 18 March 2004 may still be acknowledged by the father through an Affidavit of Admission of Paternity (AAP) or Private Handwritten Instrument (PHI) but cannot use the surname of the father under Republic Act No. 9255. However, a petition in court may be filed in order that the child can use the surname of the father.
      
      C. If parents are not married at the time of birth of the child
      
      1. If the child will use the mother’s surname, please submit the mother’s PSA birth certificate (the mother MUST be a Filipino citizen at the time of the child’s birth).
      
      2. If the child will use the father’s surname, please submit the following documents (The affidavit/s and/or attestation need to be duly notarized by a Notary Public):
      - Affidavit of Admission of Paternity (AAP)/ Personal Handwritten Instrument (PHI) – executed by the father, if he is willing to acknowledge paternity;
        
        Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF) – to be executed by:
        a. If the child is below seven (7) years old – executed by mother
        b. If the child is between seven (7) to 17 years old – executed by the child with Sworn Attestation (SA) executed by the mother
        c. If the child/applicant is already 18 years old and above – executed by the child/applicant. The Sworn Attestation is no longer needed.
        
        D. If parents were married after the child’s birth
        
        1. One (1) original and three (3) copies of Joint Affidavit of Legitimation, duly notarized by a Notary Public.
        
        E. Processing Fees:
        
        All Fees are non-refundable. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order, Bank Draft, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check. Personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.
        
        Report of Birth Processing Fee … $25.00
        
        Registration/Notarization of AAP/PHI … $25.00
        
        Registration/Notarization of AUSF … $25.00
        
        Certificate of Registration of Legal Instrument (for those who will execute AAP and/or AUSF) … $25.00
        
        F. All documents will be sent by mail only. Please prepare and provide the following:
        
        1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to report a birth with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. Submit all the requirements mentioned above. Item 20 in all four (4) duly-accomplished ROB forms must be notarized by a Notary Public. Item 21 and item 22 should be left blank.
        
        3. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        4. Processing Fee/s made payable to “Philippine Consulate General” in money order, bank draft, certified check, or cashier’s check,. Please do not enclose cash. Personal Checks are not accepted.
        
        Please mail your documents to the following address upon completion of the above-mentioned requirements:
        
        Philippine Consulate General
        Attn: Civil Registry Section
        447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
        San Francisco, California 94108, USA
        
        Note: The Philippine Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted, and may track their envelopes at the website of their chosen courier.
        
        G. When will I get my Birth Certificate?
        
        It will take around six (6) months to one (1) year from the date of filing a Report of Birth before the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) can generate an official birth certificate on security paper with a barcode. Afterwards, you may request online for a hard copy of the official birth certificate at https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/. The certificate can be delivered to your US address.
        
        H. Incomplete applications will be returned to the sender.
        
        The Civil Registry Officer may require additional documents upon assessment of the application depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s birth, marriage, or death. Factors such as citizenship, previous civil status, and other details may affect the status of your application. In this regard, it is important that you submit your contact details along with your application documents (mobile phone and email address) so that the Consulate can reach you immediately.
        
        For Inquiries: Please send an email to [email protected]
        
        A Filipino citizen who marries in the United States may file a Report of Marriage, subject to the marriage’s validity under Philippine laws.
        
        A. Reporting a Marriage Contracted in the United States
        (Between Filipinos or a Filipino and a Foreign National)
        
        See this CHECKLIST for an easy reference of the requirements, but please read the details below:
        
        1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to report a marriage with contact information (ex. Mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address).
        
        2. Four (4) original duly-accomplished Report of Marriage (ROM) forms. The following entries must be made:
        
        Entries must be printed/typewritten. Handwritten documents will not be accepted. Please use the fillable PDF link to accomplish the form. Report of Marriage (ROM) forms.
        
        Entries should be made in the exact format indicated in the ROM form (ex. Date: 18 May 2020, Place: San Francisco, California, USA).
        
        The wife should use her maiden name (birth name/ name before marriage) in filling out the ROM form.
        
        For the civil status of both husband and wife, indicate if Single, Annulled, Divorced, or Widow/Widower.
        
        Entries must be at the time of marriage of the spouses/subject.
        
        For the signature of the husband and wife:
        a. If the marriage is reported in person, it will be sworn to and signed by both husband and wife before a Consular Officer/Staff; or
        b. If submitting the ROM by mail, item 20 must be notarized by a Notary Public (first copy only, while other three copies may be photocopied with the Notary Public’s seal and signature). Item 21 and item 22 should be left blank.
        
        3. One (1) original and three (3) photocopies of Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Marriage, duly notarized, when reporting the marriage a year or more after its occurrence. Otherwise, there is no need to submit said Affidavit.
        
        4. The original and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate/Contract issued by the Office of Vital Records or any other appropriate office of the State where the marriage took place. (The original shall be returned with the processed Report of Marriage). The following details must be indicated in the Certificate/Contract:
        
        Number of marriages contracted by the parties.
        
        If the number of contracted marriages is not shown in the Certificate/Contract, one (1) certified copy and four (4) photocopies of the marriage license showing the number of marriage/s must be additionally submitted.
        
        If there is a record of previous marriage of both parties, see additional requirements below.
        
        5. Four (4) photocopies of the Birth Certificate of both husband and wife:
        
        For the Filipino National – PSA Authenticated Birth Certificate
        
        For the Foreign National – Birth Certificate issued by the country of birth.
        
        6. Four (4) photocopies of valid passport of both husband and wife, together with any of the following:
        
        For the Filipino National (proof of Philippine Citizenship) – submit copies of Resident Alien Card/ Permanent Resident Card and/or Philippine Dual Citizenship (Birth Certificate/Report of Birth or Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval), copy of visa (if tourist, leisure or business purpose), job contract or working permit (if working abroad at the time of marriage).
        
        If the Filipino Spouse was a former Filipino citizen and had acquired foreign citizenship (i.e. American) after the marriage – submit copies of Certificate of Naturalization.
        
        B. Additional Requirements:
        
        For Marriages Celebrated Online in Utah – The marriage license/certificate must be Apostilled by the Utah Lieutenant Governor.
        
        For Marriages Celebrated via Proxy in Montana – The marriage license/certificate must be Apostilled by the Montana Secretary of State.
        
        For Self-Solemnized Marriages Celebrated in Colorado – The marriage license/certificate must be Apostilled by the Colorado Secretary of State.
        
        For Divorced, Annulled, or Legally Separated Filipino Spouse – Four (4) photocopies of one of the following:
        
        PSA Marriage Certificate with Annotation of Annulment or Divorce
        
        PSA Advisory on Marriage with Annotation of Annulment or Divorce
        
        Judicial Recognition of Annulment (JRA) or Judicial Recognition of Divorce (JRD) and Certificate of Finality
        
        Foreign Divorce/Annulment Decree
        
        For Widowed Filipino Spouse – Four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate issued by the PSA or foreign death certificate of the deceased spouse.
        
        For Divorced, Annulled, or Legally Separated Foreign Spouse – Four (4) photocopies of the foreign decree / decision of the foreign spouse. If the applicant got divorced, annulled, or legally separated not just once, please provide all the said legal document/s. For example, if the applicant got divorced twice, please provide two divorce paper document/s.
        
        For Widowed Foreign Spouse –Four (4) photocopies of the Death Certificate of previous spouse.
        
        The Consular Officer reserves the right to require additional proof and/or documents from an Applicant (ex. Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR), Negative Certification of Marriage Record, etc.) to determine his/her citizenship, identity, or eligibility for registration of marriage under Philippine laws.
        
        C. Processing Fee:
        
        The Processing Fee for Report of Marriage is $25.00. Fees are non-refundable and should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order, Bank Draft, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.
        
        D. All documents will be sent by mail only. Please prepare and provide the following:
        
        1. One (1) cover letter indicating your request to report a birth/marriage/death with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. Submit all the requirements mentioned above. The form must be duly notarized.
        
        3. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        4. Processing fee of $25. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order or Bank Draft. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted. All Fees are non-refundable.
        
        5. Please mail your documents to the following address upon completion of the above-mentioned requirements:
        
        Philippine Consulate General
        Attn: Civil Registry Section
        447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
        San Francisco, California 94108, USA
        
        Note: The Philippine Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted, and may track their envelopes at the website of their chosen courier.
        
        When will I get my Marriage Certificate?
        
        It will take around six (6) months to one (1) year from the date of filing a Report of Marriage before the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) can generate an official marriage certificate on security paper with a barcode. Afterwards, you may request online for a hard copy of the official marriage certificate at https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/. The certificate can be delivered to your US address.
        
        E. Incomplete applications will be returned to the sender.
        
        The Civil Registry Officer may require additional documents upon assessment of the application depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s birth, marriage, or death. Factors such as citizenship, previous civil status, and other details may affect the status of your application. In this regard, it is important that you submit your contact details along with your application documents (mobile phone and email address) so that the Consulate can reach you immediately.
        
        For Inquiries: Please send an email to [email protected]
        
        There is no divorce in the Philippines, but when a divorce is validly obtained abroad by an alien spouse from his or her Filipino spouse, the Filipino spouse shall have the capacity to remarry under Philippine law. However, the divorce obtained abroad must be passed upon judicially by a Philippine court to prove its validity before the Filipino spouse can remarry under Philippine law.
        
        The decision of the Philippine Court shall become the basis for the annotation of civil registry documents.
        
        The following guidelines shall be followed in the annotation of the foreign-issued divorce decree with the Office of the Civil Registrar General in the Philippines:
        
        1. The foreign divorce decree must be judicially enforced or confirmed in the Philippines by filing the proper civil action at the Regional Trial Court in the Philippines (RTC-Phil).
        
        2. The court decision shall be registered in the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) where the concerned RTC-Phil functions.
        
        3. The registered document shall be submitted to the Local Civil Registrar where the marriage is registered. If the marriage was registered overseas, the registered document shall be submitted to the City Civil Registry Office at the Manila City Hall (CCRO Manila).
        
        4. The following documents shall be submitted to CCRO Manila in annotating a civil registry document:
        
        a. Original or Certified True Copy of the foreign judgment or order duly registered at the City Civil Registry Office at the Manila City Hall (CCRO Manila).
        
        b. Original or Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Finality of the decision of Regional Trial Court (RTC-Phil).
        
        c. Certificate of Registration of the decision of Regional Trial Court (RTC-Phil) at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) where the concerned RTC-Phil functions.
        
        5. After the annotation at the Local Civil Registrar’s Office (LCRO), the annotated documents and its requirements must be submitted to the Office of the Civil Registrar-General (OCRG) in Manila.
        
        NOTE: All official documents sourced or obtained in United States and intended for use and submission to Philippine authorities must be apostillized by the issuing State/Competent Authority in order for said documents to have any legal effect in the Philippines. For more information on how to secure an Apostille Certificate, please visit the link at Notarial Services.
        
        More information about the legal procedures or hiring the services of a lawyer in the Philippines may be obtained from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) or the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) in Manila.
        
        INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES (IBP)
        IBP Building
        No. 15 Julia Vargas Avenue
        Ortigas Center, Pasig City
        Metro Manila, Philippines.
        Tel: (+63-2) 631-3014 or 631-3018
        Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
        Website: www.ibp.ph
        
        PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (PAO)
        4th and 5th Floors
        DOJ Agencies Building
        NIA Road corner East Avenue
        Diliman, Quezon City
        Metro Manila, Philippines.
        Tel: (+63-2) 929-9436
        Email: [email protected]
        Website: www.pao.gov.ph
        
        The Report of Death applies only to Filipino Citizens. If the deceased is no longer a Filipino Citizen, the report is not needed.
        
        A. Requirements
        
        See this CHECKLIST for an easy reference of the requirements, but please read the details below:
        
        1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to (1) report a death and/or (2) mortuary certificate with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. Four (4) original duly-accomplished Report of Death (ROD) forms. The following entries must be made:
        
        Entries must be printed/typewritten. Handwritten documents will not be accepted. Please use the fillable PDF link to accomplish the form. Report of Death (ROD) forms.
        
        Entries should be made in the exact format indicated in the ROD form (ex. Date: 10 March 2020, Place: San Francisco, California, USA).
        
        For the signature of the representative:
        a. If the death is reported in person by the representative – it will be sworn to and signed before a Consular Officer/Staff; or
        b. If submitting the ROD by mail – item 26 must be notarized by a Notary Public (first copy only, while other three copies may be photocopied with the Notary Public’s seal and signature). Item 27 and item 28 should be left blank.
        
        3. One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of the U.S. Certificate of Death issued by the State Department of Health. (The original shall be returned with the processed Report of Death)
        
        4. Four (4) photocopies of the deceased’s proof of Philippine Citizenship – Philippine Passport, together with any of the following:
        
        Resident Alien Card/ Permanent Resident Card or Philippine Dual Citizenship (Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval, etc.)
        
        5. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        Kindly collate the documents by the order listed in the requirements above (one original and three photocopies).
        
        B. Processing Fees:
        
        All Fees are non-refundable. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order, Bank Draft, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.
        
        Report of Death (for Filipino Citizen) … $25.00
        
        C. All documents will be sent by mail only. Please prepare and provide the following:
        
        1. One (1) cover letter indicating your request to report a birth/marriage/death with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. Submit all the requirements mentioned above. The form must be duly notarized.
        
        3. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        4. Processing fee of $25. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order or Bank Draft. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted. All Fees are non-refundable.
        
        5. Please mail your documents to the following address upon completion of the above-mentioned requirements:
        
        Philippine Consulate General
        Attn: Civil Registry Section
        447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
        San Francisco, California 94108, USA
        
        Note: The Philippine Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted, and may track their envelopes at the website of their chosen courier.
        
        When will I get the Death Certificate?
        
        It will take around six (6) months to one (1) year from the date of filing a Report of Death before the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) can generate an official death certificate on security paper with a barcode. Afterwards, you may request online for a hard copy of the official death certificate at https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph. The certificate can be delivered to your US address.
        
        D. Incomplete applications will be returned to the sender.
        
        The Civil Registry Officer may require additional documents upon assessment of the application depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s birth, marriage, or death. Factors such as citizenship, previous civil status, and other details may affect the status of your application. In this regard, it is important that you submit your contact details along with your application documents (mobile phone and email address) so that the Consulate can reach you immediately.
        
        For Inquiries, please send an email to [email protected]
        
        Consular Mortuary Certificates are issued for the transportation of remains or the cremated remains of a deceased individual to the Philippines.
        
        A. General Requirements (NOTE: All documents must be received at least two (2) weeks before the flight of the remains or cremains.)
        
        See this CHECKLIST for an easy reference of the requirements, but please read the details below:
        
        1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request for a consular mortuary certificate with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the U.S. Certificate of Death issued by the State Department of Health. (The original shall be returned with the processed Consular Mortuary Certificate)
        
        3. Three (3) photocopies of the Itinerary, to include full flight details and mode of transportation.
        
        4. Three (3) photocopies of the deceased’s government-issued identification card.
        
        5. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        B. Additional Requirements:
        
        Checklist for Human Remains
        
        1. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Notarized Certificate issued by the Mortuary Director that the body was properly embalmed and that the casket contains only the body of the deceased.
        
        2. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Certificate of No Contagious Disease issued by the State Department of Health.
        
        3. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Burial Transit Permit.
        
        4. Provide the name, address, and contact number of the receiving funeral company in the Philippines. In written form (3 copies)
        
        Checklist for Cremated Remains
        
        1. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Notarized Certificate issued by the Mortuary Director that the body was properly cremated and that the urn contains only the remains of the deceased.
        
        2. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Certificate of Cremation issued by the Crematory.
        
        3. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Burial Transit Permit.
        
        4. Three (3) photocopies of identification documents (passport, driver’s license, etc.) of the person who will travel with the urn. Please indicate relationship to the deceased person (ex. Spouse, Father/Mother).
        
        Things to remember:
        
        Kindly collate the documents by the order listed in the requirements above (one original and two photocopies)
        
        C. Processing Fees:
        
        All Fees are non-refundable. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order, Bank Draft, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.
        
        Consular Mortuary Certificate … $25.00
        
        D. All documents will be sent by mail only. Please prepare and provide the following:
        
        1. One (1) cover letter indicating your request to report a birth/marriage/death with contact information (ex. mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address) through which the Consulate can reach you.
        
        2. Submit all the requirements mentioned above.
        
        3. Provide a (1) Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope with appropriate stamps and tracking number (USPS Express or Priority Mail) or (2) Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (do NOT use FEDEX) labeled with the recipient’s address. As a reminder, please do not put the name of the Philippine Consulate as the sender, should the Shipping Label be “to Bill the Sender”.
        
        4. Processing fee of $25. Fees should be made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General” in Money Order or Bank Draft. Cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted. All Fees are non-refundable.
        
        5. Please mail your documents to the following address upon completion of the above-mentioned requirements:
        
        Philippine Consulate General
        Attn: Civil Registry Section
        447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
        San Francisco, California 94108, USA
        
        Note: The Philippine Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted, and may track their envelopes at the website of their chosen courier.
        
        E. Incomplete applications will be returned to the sender.
        
        For Inquiries, please send an email to [email protected]
        
        ONLY petitions for correction of entries in the civil registry documents registered or reported at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco may be processed.
        
        A clerical or typographical error refers to an obvious mistake committed in clerical work, either in writing, copying, transcribing, or typing an entry in the civil register that is harmless and innocuous, such as the following:
        
        A misspelled name or misspelled place of birth and the like, and can be corrected or changed only by reference to other existing record or records
        
        Day and/or month of birth
        
        Gender/sex (provided that this correction is not a result of a sex-reassignment)
        
        Who may file the petition:
        
        The petition may be filed by a person of legal age who must have a direct and personal interest in the correction of the error in the civil register, such as the:
        
        Owner of the record that contains the error to be corrected or first name to be changed
        
        Owner’s spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, guardian, or any other person duly authorized by law or by the owner of the document sought to be corrected.
        
        A person is considered of legal age when he is eighteen years old and above. Thus, a minor (less than eighteen years old) cannot by himself file a petition.
        
        Filing fee:
        
        -Fifty US dollars ($50.00) for the correction of clerical or typographical error.
        
        Requirements:
        
        For Petition of Correction of Clerical Error of a Report of Birth, please see this checklist.
        
        For Petition of Correction of Clerical Error of a Report of Marriage, please see this checklist.
        
        For Petition of Correction of Clerical Error of a Report of Death, please see this checklist.
        
        Under Republic Act 10172, Filipinos abroad may file a petition before the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco to cause a Change of First Name or Nickname in the Civil Register without a need of a judicial order, subject to certain conditions.
        
        These conditions are as follows:
        
        The petitioner finds the first name or nickname to be ridiculous, tainted with dishonor or extremely difficult to write or pronounce;
        
        The new first name or nickname has been habitually and continuously used by the petitioner and he has been publicly known by that first name or nickname in the community; or
        
        The change will avoid confusion.
        
        Who may file the petition:
        
        The petition may be filed by a person of legal age who must have a direct and personal interest in the change of first name in the civil register, such as the:
        
        Owner of the record that contains the error to be corrected or first name to be changed
        
        Owner’s spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, guardian, or any other person duly authorized by law or by the owner of the document sought to be corrected.
        
        A person is considered of legal age when he is eighteen years old and above. Thus, a minor (less than eighteen years old) cannot by himself file a petition.
        
        The general rule is that a petition shall be filed with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) where the record containing the first name to be changed is kept. Included in this general rule is the case of the Office of the Clerk of Shari’a Court where records of divorces, revocations of divorces, conversions to Islam are kept and where some Muslim marriages are registered.
        
        However, in case the petitioner is a migrant within or outside the Philippines, meaning his present residence or domicile is different from where his civil registry record or records are registered, he may file the petition in the nearest LCRO in his area or Philippine Consulate General if abroad. His petition will be treated as a migrant petition.
        
        REQUIREMENTS TO FILE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF FIRST NAME OR NICKNAME
        
        Petition is in the prescribed form of an AFFIDAVIT that:
        
        Must be subscribed and sworn to before any person authorized by law to administer oath;
        
        Set forth facts necessary to establish the merits of the petition;
        
        Show affirmatively that the petitioner is competent to testify to the matters stated; and
        
        State the particular first name sought to be changed and the change to be made.
        
        SUPPORTING PAPERS FOR CHANGE OF FIRST NAME
        
        No petition for change of first name shall be accepted unless the petitioner submits the following required supporting papers.
        
        All documents, which are required to be submitted by the petitioner for the correction of clerical error, shall be submitted also by the petitioner for change of first name.
        
        Clearance from authorities
        
        Those with criminal records or those with pending administrative, civil or criminal cases are prohibited from changing their first name.
        
        Therefore, a petitioner for change of first name shall be required to submit clearances from the following authorities:
        
        2.1. Employer, if employed
        
        2.2. National Bureau of Investigation
        
        2.3. Philippine National Police
        
        2.4. Other such clearances as may be required by the concerned C/MCR
        
        In a case where the petition is filed on behalf of another person, the clearances to be submitted shall not be for the petitioner but for the person being represented by the petitioner. If the person represented is a minor aged less than 15, such clearances shall be complied with only if required by the CIMCR.
        
        3. Proof of publication
        
        The petition for a change of first name is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks. Failure to publish the petition could mean denial or disapproval of the petition. As proofs of the publication, the petitioner is required to submit the following:
        
        3.1. Affidavit of publication from the publisher
        
        3.2. Copy of the newspaper clipping
        
        See this checklist for a Summary of Requirements.
        
        Filing fee:
        
        -One hundred fifty US dollars ($150.00) for the change of first name.