How to Correct or Change the Last Name on a PSA Birth Certificate

Another common birth certificate error involves the owner’s last name (family name).  This could either be blurred, misspelled, or missing (especially if the child is illegitimate).  Unlike first and middle names, correcting the last name can be complicated as some cases require the intervention of a lawyer or a court proceeding.

Today, we are going to feature four cases of last name issues on a birth certificate and how each can be addressed.

1. Blurred Last Name

Solution 1: If the record of PSA is blurred, you may request the Local Civil Registrar to endorse a copy of your birth certificate with a clearer entry in the last name to the PSA.

Solution 2: If the record of the PSA and the civil registry are both blurred, file a Petition for Correction of Clerical Error under the provisions of R.A. 9048.

Supporting Documents:

• Certified machine copy of the birth record containing the entry to be corrected;
• Not less than two (2) private or public documents upon which the correction shall be based like baptismal certificate, voter’s affidavit, employment record, GSIS/SSS record, medical record, business records, driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land transfer, bank passbook, NBI/police clearance, civil registry records of ascendants;
• Notice/Certificate of Posting;
• Payment of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000) as the filing fee.  For petitions filed abroad, a fee of USD 50.00 or equivalent value in local currency shall be collected;
• Other documents which may be required by the concerned civil registrar.

2. Misspelled Last Name

If the cause of the error is clearly typographical, causing the last name to look and sound foolish, this can be corrected by filing a Petition for Correction of Clerical Error under the provisions of R.A. 9048.

Supporting Documents:

1. Certified machine copy of the birth record containing the entry to be corrected;
2. Not less than two (2) private or public documents upon which the correction shall be based like baptismal certificate, voter’s affidavit, employment record, GSIS/SSS record, medical record, business record, driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land transfer, bank passbook, NBI/police clearance, civil registry records of ascendants;
3. Notice/Certificate of Posting;
4. Payment of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000) as the filing fee.  For petitions filed abroad, a fee of USD 50 or equivalent value in local currency shall be collected;
5. Other documents which may be required by the concerned civil registrar.

3. No Last Name

If the last name in the birth certificate is blank, a supplemental report should be filed to supply the missing entry.

To supply the missing entry, an affidavit indicating the entry missed in the registration and the reasons why there was a failure in supplying the required entry.  Supporting documents should be provided to show the name of the child.

Supporting Documents:

To supply the missing entry, an affidavit indicating the entry missed in the registration and the reasons why there was a failure in supplying the required entry.  Other supporting documents should be provided to show the first name of the child.

Take note that the LCR or the PSA will advise you of the best course to take when having your birth certificate entries corrected, especially when the error involves your last name.  Always remember that there is a very big possibility that you will be endorsed to a lawyer and a court proceeding may be required to apply the needed corrections.

Reference: http://www.psa.gov.ph/

 

How Do I Change My Mother’s Name on my PSA Birth Certificate?

Sofie has always known that her mother’s name is Emelita.  That is the name written on all her mother’s IDs and on the birth certificates of Sofie and her siblings.  However, when Aling Emelita requested for a copy of her PSA birth certificate, they were shocked to see that her name is actually not Emelita but Maria Rosario!  All other information on her birth certificate is correct, her birth date, birthplace, and the names of her parents.  Everything, except her name.

They discovered this in the early ‘90s when Aling Emelita was preparing to work abroad.  Since she was in a hurry to get a passport, she resolved to use her Maria Rosario birth certificate and was granted a passport as Maria Rosario.

When Sofie graduated from high school with flying colors, her parents gifted her and her siblings a trip to Tokyo Disneyland.  Sofie and her three siblings, all minors, trooped to the DFA to get their passports.  But they were all horribly disappointed when their applications were put on hold because of the inconsistency in their mother’s name as written on their birth certificates and the name that appears on their mother’s birth certificate.  On their birth certificates, their mother is Emelita.  But on Aling Emelita’s, her name is Maria Rosario.

How does one correct their parent’s name as it appears on their birth certificate?

While it is clear that Aling Emelita has chosen to simply adopt her name as written on her birth certificate (Maria Rosario), she failed to work on correcting the details on her children’s birth certificates, where her name is still written as Emelita. 

Sofie and her siblings need to have their birth certificates corrected to reflect their mother’s name as Maria Rosario.  Here’s what they need to do:

1. They need to go to the Local Civil Registry of their birthplace and request for correction of their mother’s name as it appears on their birth certificates.
2. They must bring a copy of Aling Emelita’s PSA birth certificate where her name is written as Maria Rosario.  Any other government-issued ID of Aling Emelita (as Maria Rosario) will likewise help in further solidifying their petition.
3. Fees vary according to municipality and payments must be made only with the city or municipal hall’s cashier.  All payments must be issued with a government receipt.  Be wary of fixers.
4. When the petition is successfully filed by the LCR, Sofie and her siblings will be given a copy of the Finality and Endorsement pertaining to the correction they requested.
5. After three to six months, they can begin following up with the PSA for the corrected copies of their birth certificates.  When making a follow-up, bring the Finality and Endorsement documents from the LCR.
6. The first corrected copies of their birth certificates must be claimed at the PSA head office in Sta. Mesa, building 2.  All other succeeding copies may be requested online at www.psahelpline.ph.

If you have similar concerns about your birth certificate, send us your questions and we will do our best to find the best answer for you.

Reference: www.psa.gov.ph

 

How to Apply for a Philippine Passport if You Do Not Have a Birth Certificate

Your PSA birth certificate is a primary requirement when applying for a passport with the DFA.  Without it, it would be nearly impossible to get the rest of the application process done.

Unfortunately, there are some people who really do not have their civil registry documents on file at the PSA.  When they request for a copy, they receive a Negative Certification, indicating that they do not have any records or theirs may have gotten lost during or after the war.

How do you apply for a passport if you do not have a birth certificate?

Let us show you how:

If you were born in or after January 1, 1950, you need to submit the following:

General Requirements:

1. Personal appearance at your chosen DFA branch.
2. Confirmed appointment (done online at www.passport.gov.ph/appointment)
3. Accomplished application form.
4. Valid picture ID with photocopy.
5. Supporting Documents

In case of NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE:

1. Apply for the delayed registration of birth at the local civil registry office at the applicant’s place of birth.
2. Submit the following documents:
   • Authenticated Negative Result of Birth Certificate from the PSA.
   • Supporting public documents with the correct date and place of birth such as:
     • Form 137
     • Voter’s registration record
     • Baptismal certificate with readable dry seal.
     • National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) certificate with photo and readable dry seal (for Muslim applicants).

If you were born in or before December 31, 1949:

General Requirements:

1. Personal appearance at your chosen DFA branch
2. Confirmed appointment (done online at www.passport.gov.ph/appointment)
3. Accomplished application form
4. Valid picture ID with photocopy
5. Supporting documents

In case of NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE:

1. Certificate of Non-availability of Record from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
2. Notarized Joint Birth Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons
3. Any public document with the correct full name, and date and place of birth such as:
   • Baptismal Certificate with readable dry seal
   • National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Certificate with photo and readable dry seal (for Muslim applicants).

If you are unable to secure a copy of your birth certificate from the PSA, proceed right away to the LCR of the city or municipality where you were born.  There are a multitude of reasons why your birth records may not be available at the PSA, you just need to find out why so you would know what to do next.  The LCR would be able to tell you what you need to do in order to have your birth records documented, or corrected, or reconstructed, whatever the case may be.

If you have questions about birth certificates, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

References:

www.psa.gov.ph

www.dfa.gov.ph

 

Problems with your PSA Birth Certificate: They Wrote the Wrong Religion!

The Philippines is the bastion of Christianity in Asia with over 93% of our population listed as Christians; we ranked 5^th worldwide according to a 2011 report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.  Filipinos take religiosity pretty seriously.  To us, it is not just some form of affiliation or membership, it is a legacy passed on to us, an identity we must protect and preserve at all costs.

And so it IS a big deal to have to find out that your religion, as written in your birth certificate, is anything but Catholic or Christian. 

Such was the case of Arabah Joy Quinto, a Roman Catholic by birth.  After receiving an Exchange Scholar grant from her high school, she immediately applied for a passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).  She thought she had all the needed documents prepared until she was required to submit a certificate from the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA)!  Apparently, her birth certificate shows that her parents are Muslims.  She insisted that her entire family has always been devout Roman Catholics, all of them baptized by the Catholic Church as supported by their birth certificates.  The DFA would have none of it; either she presents the required OMA or have the entries in her birth certificate corrected.

How to Correct a ‘Wrong Religion’?

There are two ways of rectifying incorrect entries in a birth certificate:

1. Under RA No. 9048 or Clerical Error Law (as amended by RA 10172) if the matter involved correcting typographical errors in the First Name, Place of Birth, Day and month of Birth , or Gender.
2. Through a petition in court if the correction is not covered by any of the above cases.

Correcting the entries in ‘Religion’ is not included in the errors covered by RA 9048 or 10172.

In this case, Arabah Joy needs to file a petition for Correction of Entry in the Regional Trial Court of the place where her birth was registered.  Once filed, the court shall set the case for a hearing, followed by publication of the correction in a local newspaper.

As soon as the petition is granted, the LCR of Arabah’s birth place will receive a certified copy of the court’s decision.  The LCR will be directed to apply the necessary annotations on Arabah’s birth certificate, so that the same shall now reflect her parents’ correct religion.

The first corrected copy of Arabah’s birth certificate may be requested from a PSA office while succeeding copies may be ordered online at www.psahelpline.ph

If you have questions about civil registration in the Philippines, please feel free to drop usa  line and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Sources:

www.psa.gov.ph

www.gov.ph (The Family Code of the Philippines)

www.manilatimes.net

 

 

 

The Manila City Hall Series: How To File for Correction of Place of Birth Under RA 9048 Part 12 of 16

If the place of birth written on your birth certificate is not the same as the one written on your passport or any other document that you use as an identification, you might encounter problems with your transactions as this is a vital ID information.

Here are the steps you need to follow when filing for correction of your place of birth under RA 9048:

What You Need To Bring:

(a). 2 latest certified LCR copies and 2 latest PSA (formerly NSO) copies of birth certificate to be corrected.

(b). 2 latest certified copies of certification from the hospital indicating the exact hospital address.  IF the hospital or clinic where the birth certificate owner was born is no longer in existence, the petitioner needs to submit a certification from the Barangay stating that the said hospital or clinic was formerly established in the area and is now no longer in operation.

(c). 2 copies of baptismal certificate.

(d). 2 copies of school records, Elementary and High School, either Form 137/138 or Certificate or College Transcript of Records (TOR).

(e). 2 Certified copies of Voter’s Registration record/voters’ affidavit (COMELEC).

(f). 2 copies of valid ID of the petitioner and the document owner and 1 copy of latest community tax certificate from the place of work or residence.

(g). SPA (Special Power or Attorney).  If the petitioner is abroad, or sick, he/she can be represented by a lawyer or his/her nearest relative (up to third degree of consanguinity).

Reminders:

1. All civil documents from the PSA (Birth, Marriage, and Death) to be submitted should be the latest certified local copy or on Security Paper from the PSA.
2. After the compliance of the requirements, please proceed to the information counter.  Only applicants with complete requirements will be allowed to proceed to pre-interview.
3. Processing of the petition is four (4) months and will commence on the date the petition is received by the Manila City Hall.
4. Payments are as follows:
   • Registration Fee – P1,000
   • Certified Xerox Copy – P230
   • Transmittal Fee – P210
   • Additional Payment  for documents with supplemental – P30

Please be advised that the city hall does not conduct interviews during Fridays.

Source: http://manila.gov.ph/services/civil-registry/

The Manila City Hall Series: How to File for Correction of Birth date (day and month only) Under RA 10172 Part 7 of 16

An incorrect birth day on your birth certificate will cause confusion on your age.  Just like any other clerical error on your civil registry document, this must be addressed as soon as possible.

The City of Manila published the following article to help applicants prepare for the required documents and fees in advance.  Please note that some of the requirements and fees may vary depending on the city or municipality where you will be applying for the correction.

Mandatory Requirements:

(a). One (1) latest certified machine copy and one (1) photocopy of the birth certificate to be corrected issued by the Manila Civil Registrar.

(b). One (1) latest NSO copy and one (1) photocopy of the birth certificate to be corrected.

(c). One (1) original and one (1) photocopy of the following documents:

• Elementary school records (Form 137/school certification). In case the petitioner/document owner never entered school, an affidavit attesting to this fact shall be submitted.
• Medical records issued by the hospital or clinic where the certificate owner was born. In case the hospital or clinic is no longer operating, the petitioner must submit an affidavit attesting to this fact.
• Baptismal certificate and other documents issued by religious authorities. In case where the petitioner/document owner has no baptismal certificate or similar documents, an affidavit attesting to this fact shall be submitted.
• If the petitioner/document owner is employed, submit a certificate of employment, indicating that the same does not have pending administrative cases with the company.
• Affidavit of non-employment indicating that the document owner has no pending civil or criminal case or criminal records, if not employed at the time the petition was filed.
• Affidavit of self-employment indicating that the document owner has no pending civil criminal case or no criminal record, if self-employed at the time the petition was filed.
• Certification issued by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, if the document owner is a college student.
• Certification issued by the Guidance Counselor, if the document owner is in Elementary or High School.
• NBI and POLICE CLEARANCE – purpose indicated must be for the correction of the day and month on the date of birth in the birth certificate. If document owner is 0 to 7 years old, this requirement is waived.
• For married petitioners – Latest PSA (formerly NSO) copy of marriage certificate issued by the local civil registrar.
• Documents that will show proof of the correction being sought such as Service Records, GSIS or SSS Records, Insurance Certificates and Income Tax Returns.
• Two (2) photocopies of valid ID of the petitioner and the document owner and one (1) copy of latest community tax certificate from the place of work or residence.
• Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the document owner is abroad or physically or mentally incapacitated.  He or she can be represented by a lawyer or his or her nearest relative up to the third degree of consanguinity.

Process and Fees:

(a). After completing all required documents, proceed to the information counter of the Manila City Hall and secure a number for pre-interview.  Please make sure to bring the original copies of the documents for validation.  Only the applicants with complete requirements will be entertained for pre-interview.

(b). Publication of the petition for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general and national circulation (list of newspapers will be provided during the final interview).

(c). Steps to follow will also be provided during the final interview.

(d). Processing of the petition takes four (4) months and will begin on the date the petition was received by the Manila City Hall.

(e). Registration fee : Php 3,000

(f). Certified Photocopy : Php 230.00 for single petition, Php 350.00 for double petition

(g). Transmittal Fee : Php 210.00 for single petition, Php 330.00 for double petition

Note that the fees for the notarization and publication are not included in the above.

The Manila City Hall does not conduct interviews during Fridays.

Source: http://manila.gov.ph/services/civil-registry/

The Manila City Hall Series: How to File for Correction of Clerical Error in the First Name Under RA 9048 (For Married Individuals) Part 2 of 16

Any discrepancy on your first name on your birth certificate is sure to cause problems and delays on your transactions later on.  It is your responsibility to have this corrected to avoid issues with your records and other IDs such as your driver’s license and passport.

The Manila City Hall has released a clear, step-by-step process for citizens who need to have their first names corrected.  Included as well is the list of documentary requirements that applicants need to have on hand for this particular transaction.

Here is the second part in this 16-part series on Civil Registry procedures at the Manila City Hall:

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:

(a). 2 latest certified/local copies and 2 latest PSA (formerly NSO) copies of birth certificate to be corrected.

(b). 2 latest certified copy of PSA (formerly NSO) marriage contract of the document owner.

(c). 2 latest certified copies of PSA (formerly NSO) birth certificate of at least 2 children of the document owner.

(d). 2 copies of baptismal certificate.

(e). 2 copies of school records, (Elementary and High School either F-137/138 or Certification) or College (TOR)

(f). 2 certified copies of voter’s registration record/voters affidavit. (COMELEC)

(g). 2 latest original NBI Clearance. (PURPOSE: FOR CORRECTION OF FIRST NAME)

(h). 2 latest original PNP Clearance. (PURPOSE: FOR CORRECTION OF FIRST NAME)

(i). 2 copies of valid ID of the petitioner and the document owner and 1 copy of latest community tax certificate from the place of work or residence.

(j). Other documents which the Office may consider relevant and necessary for the approval of the Petition.

(GSIS/SSS Record, Diploma (Grade School, High School, or College/Vocational), Medical Record, Business Record, Service Record, Insurance, Certificate of Land Title, Passbook etc.

(k). SPA (Special Power of Attorney), If the petitioner is abroad, or sick, he/she can be represented by lawyer or his/her nearest relative (up to third degree of consanguinity).

PROCESS AND REMINDERS:

(a). All civil documents (Birth, Marriage and Death) to be submitted should be the latest certified local copy or Security paper from PSA (formerly NSO).

(b). After the compliance of the requirements, please proceed to the information counter and get a number for the Pre-interview and bring the original copies of the supporting documents (Personal Records).

Please be reminded that only the applicants with complete set of requirements will be entertained for pre-interview.

(c). Steps to follow will be provided after the Final Interview.

(d). Processing period of the petition is four (4) months and will commence on the date the petition is received by the Office.

(e). Payments are as follows:

• Registration Fee (P 1,000.00)
• Certified Xerox Copy (P230.00)
• Transmittal Fee (P 210.00)
• Additional Payment of 30.00 (Document with supplemental report.)

Please be reminded that the City Hall does not conduct interviews during Fridays.

Source: http://manila.gov.ph/services/civil-registry/

Problems with NSO Birth Certificate: My Father Changed His Name on his Marriage Certificate

Mildred is the eldest daughter of Mang Gerry and Aling Myrna.  She migrated to the U.S. and earned her citizenship when she married her fiancé who is a natural-born citizen of America.  Two years after she was sworn in, she petitioned for her parents to legally stay in the U.S. with her and her husband.

Part of the requirements she needs to submit were her parents’ birth and marriage certificates.  When she received the copies of the documents, she was surprised to find out that her father’s names on his birth and marriage certificates were different.

On his marriage certificate, his name is written as Gerardo Perez Gonzales.  On his birth certificate, his name is Geronimo Perez Gonzalez.  Mildred knew this will cause delays on her petition if not addressed right away.

She talked to her father about the discrepancies.  Why did he use a different name all his life?  Why did he not tell his wife who he really was?

Mang Gerry admitted that he was not even aware that his real name is Geronimo; his parents and siblings have always referred to him as Gerardo.  All his school records show his name as Gerardo and his last name as Gonzales, not Gonzalez.  In all of his employment records, he used the name Gerardo Gonzales.  He does not have any other record as Geronimo Gonzalez except for his PSA birth certificate.

The family decided to have the entries on Mang Gerry’s birth certificate corrected in order to agree with all his identification cards and personal documents, including the birth certificates of his children where his name is also written as Gerardo Gonzales.

On the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) website, www.psa.gov.ph Mang Gerry’s problems on his first and last names are covered by two scenarios:

1. First name used is different from the first name entered in the birth certificate.
2. Last name is misspelled.

For both cases, Mang Gerry may file for petitions under R.A. 9048.

To change his first name from Geronimo (written on his birth certificate) to Gerardo (the name he is using), he needs to file a Petition for Change of First Name.  To support his petition, he needs to submit the following documents:

1. Certified machine copy of the birth record containing the entry to be corrected;
2. Not less than two (2) private or public documents upon which the correction shall be based like baptismal certificate, voter’s affidavit, employment records, GSIS/SSS records, medical records, business records, driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land transfer, bank passbook.
3. Notice / Certificate of Posting;
4. Payment of P3,000 as filing fee.
5. Other documents which may be required by the concerned civil registrar such as:
   • NBI/Police Clearance
   • Civil registry records of ascendants and other clearances as may be required by the concerned civil registry office
   • Proof of Publication

To correct his last name, from Gonzalez to Gonzales, Mang Gerry may file a petition for correction of clerical error under the provisions of R.A. 9048.  For this petition, he needs to submit the following supporting documents:

1. Certified machine copy of the birth record containing the entry to be corrected;
2. Not less than two (2) private or public documents upon which the correction shall be based like baptismal certificate, voter’s affidavit, employment record, GSIS/SSS record, medical record, business record, driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land transfer, bank passbook, NBI/Police Clearance, civil registry records of ascendants.
3. Notice / Certificate of Posting
4. Payment of P1,000 as filing fee.
5. Other documents which may be required by the concerned civil registrar.

Source:

https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions/wrong-spelling-0

https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions/first-name-used-different-first-name-entered-birth

Problems with NSO Birth Certificate: Single Mom Wants to Change Her Child’s Last Name

Illegitimate children are able to carry their father’s last name by virtue of an Affidavit of Acknowledgment and an Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF).  Should the parents decide to get married later on, the illegitimate children’s birth rights may also be changed from “illegitimate” to “legitimate” through the process of Legitimation Due to Subsequent Marriage (of parents).

In some cases though, the father exits the picture and the mother is left to take care of the children on her own.  This can go from bad to worse when the father ends up marrying a different woman, completely abandoning his responsibilities with his children from his previous relationship.

Such is the case of Patty, a single mother of 2 children, born 2 years apart.  She is a call center agent and is raising her kids with the help of her parents.  Her boyfriend, Alex, left her and their children before her youngest son was even one year old.  He said that he was leaving for the U.S. to work and promised to send financial support for the children’s needs and education.  A few months after he left, Alex told Patty that he needs to marry his high school classmate who is now a U.S. citizen in order for him to legally work in Florida.  “Marriage for convenience lang.”

Patty’s worst fears were confirmed when she received an email from Alex telling her that he and his wife will be migrating to New Zealand soon and he could no longer promise to send his regular support for their children.  A few months after that, Patty found out that Alex and his new wife were expecting their first child.  She was devastated.

Patty’s children carry Alex’s last name in all of their identifications, including their PSA birth certificates.  Now that Patty is left to raise both kids on her own, she would like for the children to drop their father’s last name and carry hers instead.  She would not allow for Alex to have the honor of giving his name to his children when he has now clearly abandoned them for his new family.

Question is, can Patty have Alex’s last name dropped from the children’s birth certificates?

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) website, www.psa.gov.ph, an illegitimate child has the right to carry his father’s last name for as long as the father duly acknowledged him by virtue of the following:

• The father executed an Affidavit of Acknowledgement
• The father presents a Private Handwritten Instrument (PHI)
• The father acknowledged the child at the back of the birth certificate or in a separate public instrument.

With respect to any of the above conditions, the child’s birth certificate bears his father’s last name as his last name.  Although he is still considered “illegitimate” (since his parents were not married at the time of his birth), he is given the right to use his father’s last name.

Dropping or removing the father’s last name from the children’s birth certificate, even if their birth right is illegitimate, must go through a court order.  It is not considered a clerical error and therefore, changing the child’s last name cannot be done by simply filing a petition for clerical error.

Source: https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions/born-after-august-3-1988

Problems with NSO Birth Certificate: Change of Name on Birth Certificate

Liezel is a 34-year-old mom who has been using two first names all her life.  All her documents and transactions show her first name as Maria Liezel: on her marriage contract, on her children’s birth certificate, her land titles, and tax declarations.  Even her bank accounts and driver’s license show her name as Maria Liezel.  However, on her PSA birth certificate, her first name is indicated only as Liezel. No Maria or Ma.

1. Is this considered a clerical error?
2. Does she need to have her name on her children’s birth certificates corrected to make it consistent with what is reflected on her birth certificate?

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority website (www.psa.gov.ph), such errors can be corrected under R.A. 10172 (Civil Registration Laws).  Liezel’s case is not considered as clerical error (the missing Liezel from her first name).  What she needs to do is have her name on her birth certificate changed from Liezel to Maria Liezel under R.A. 10172.

To process this, Liezel needs to do the following:

• Submit a petition for change of first name.  This shall be in the form of an affidavit, subscribed and sworn to before any person authorized by law to administer oaths.
• The affidavit shall set forth facts necessary to establish the merits of the petition, showing affirmatively that the petitioner is competent to testify to the matters stated.
• The petitioner shall state the particular erroneous entry or entries, which are sought to be corrected and / or the change sought to be made.
• The petition shall be supported with the following documents:
  • A certified true machine copy of the certificate or of the page of the registry book containing the entry or entries sought to be corrected or changed;
  • At least two (2) public or private documents showing the correct entry or entries upon which the correction or change shall be based;
  • Other documents which the petitioner or the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general may consider relevant and necessary for the approval of the petition.
• The petition for change of first name shall be published at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
• Petitioner shall submit a certificate from the appropriate law enforcement, agencies that he has no pending case or no criminal record.
• The fees to be collected for this type of petition shall be determined by the city or municipal civil registrar.  Indigent petitioners are exempted from paying the said fee.

Source: https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/civil-registration-laws/republic-act-no-10172