3 Ways to Get a PSA Birth Certificate: Step-by-step Guide

Have you ever been asked to present a PSA birth certificate constantly? For example, the HR will ask for it when you are hired. The monitor will request it when taking the civil service exam. The authority will require a government-issued document when applying for driver’s licenses, passports, etc. If you have similar problems, it is time to get one. In this passage, we are going to introduce the requirements for a PSA birth certificate and how to apply for it.

What Is a PSA Birth Certificate

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a birth certificate is an important record of the birth of a baby. By carrying information like full name, name of parents, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and nationality, it could be used as proof of your identity, place of origin, and nationality while looking for a new job and applying for passports, visas, or other government IDs. The doctor will report to the local civil registrar (LCR) shortly after a baby is born and the birth registry records will be saved in PSA. The PSA birth certificate is printed on Security Paper which is occasionally changed in an attempt to prevent counterfeiting. When it is required, just show the most recent or authenticated one. It is useful proof while looking for a new job, or applying for passports, visas, or other government IDs.

Who Can Apply for a PSA Birth Certificate

You are allowed to get the birth certificate from PSA supposing that you are either:

• the owner of the certificate
• the owner’s parent/guardian or others who are legally granted parental authority
• the owner’s spouse;
• owner’s immediate descendants (of legal age)
• authorize person of the owner

When the person on the certificate is a minor, only the parents or guardians are allowed to apply for and receive the document with a valid ID.

Requirements For PSA Birth Certificate

The authority will verify your identity before issuing the certificate, so let’s see what is required.

Application Form

It is available at the PSA portal which is used to gather the owner’s personal information, the parent’s information, the purpose of the application, the requester’s information, etc. How you submit the form depends on How to Apply for a PSA Birth Certificate and we will talk about it later.

Valid ID

It is used to prove your identity. If you are the owner of the PSA birth certificate, just show the original copy and hand in the photocopy of both front and back while requesting the certificate. If you are representing the owner to apply for it, you should bring your original ID and photocopy besides that of the owner. The accepted IDs are listed as follows.

• Philsys ID or National ID issued by PSA
• Philippine passport issued by DFA
• Driver’s license issued by LTO
• Professional Regulation Commission ID (PRC ID)
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP ID)
• GSIS UMID ID or e-Card
• SSS UMID ID
• HDMF (Pag-IBIG) Transaction/Loyalty Card
• Voter’s ID issued by COMELEC
• Postal ID issued by Philippine Postal Corporation
• Senior Citizens’ ID issued by OSCA or LGU
• OFW ID issued by DOLE
• OWWA ID
• Seaman’s/Seawoman’s Book issued by MARINA
• Diplomat/Consular ID issued by the Philippine Embassy
• NBI Clearance
• PNP ID/Police Clearance
• DSWD Certification/4Ps ID
• Barangay ID/Certification with picture and signature
• PWD ID issued by NCDA or its regional counterpart, Office of the Mayor, Office of the Barangay Captain, DSWD and participating organization with Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health
• ID issued by National Government Offices and GOCCs
• ID issued by LGU
• Tax Identification Card (TIN) with picture and signature issued by BIR
• School/Student ID for currently enrolled students,18 years old and above issued by reputable schools/colleges/universities recognized by DEPED or CHED;

Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

This is only required when the applicant and the receiver is not the owner. It must indicate the purpose of the document, the type of document you are applying for, the number of copies, and other details. Try to make it as specific as possible. The authorization letter must be signed by the owner. Please submit a handwritten or printed copy instead of sending it through e-mail or instant messaging apps. The SPA must be notarized.

How to Apply for a PSA Birth Certificate

There are three ways to get the birth certificate, including online and offline.

Apply for Birth Certificate Online

This method is designed for those who can’t visit a physical location or who are outside the Philippines. Let’s see how to access the online service.

• Visit PSASerbilis website and click on the “Birth Certificate” Section.

• Read the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” and “DATA PRIVACY NOTICE”. Check the box to agree with the statements and click on the “Next” button.

• Answer the question in the pop-up window. It confirms whether there is any change or whether there is a previous PSA birth certificate. Click on the “Next” button.

• Complete the application form. Make sure to fill out all fields with an asterisk, such as the number of copies, name, place of birth, date of birth, gender, mother’s name, the relationship between the requester and the document owner, and purpose of the request. Click on the “Next” button after finishing.

• Provide the requester’s details and delivery address.

• Click the “Next” button after finishing and double-check the information you provide in the pop-up window. If there is an error, click the “Edit” button to correct it. If not, click on the “Confirm” button.

• Preview the summary and “Add New Request” or move on to the “NEXT” step.

• Preview the Acknowledgment and click the “PRINT” button to save 2 copies of this page. One for payment and the other for personal preservation. You will also receive it in the email.

• Fulfill payment. A PSA birth certificate costs PHP 330 per copy within the Philippines and USD 20.30 outside the Philippines. Acceptable online payment methods include debit/credit/prepaid card or e-wallet. Other accredited banking payment channels include BDO Unibank, Inc. and UnionBank.

• Wait for the delivery. The waiting time ranges from days to weeks. It takes 3-5 business days after payment in Metro Manila, 4-9 business days outside Metro Manila, and 6-8 weeks outside the Philippines.

Apply for a Birth Certificate at SM Business Center

SM Business Centers has been working with NSO since 2010, thus being able to release civil registry documents, including birth certificates. Located in almost every town and city in the Philippines, it is quite easy to find. If you have no access to a birth certificate online and are in no hurry, you can seek walk-in applications at the SM business center through the following steps.

• Find a SM Business Center which is usually located in the SM supermall. Check this mall directory and enquire whether there is one in the nearest mall.
• Obtain an application form with a valid ID in the civil registry section.
• Fill out the form and make sure the information you provide is complete and accurate.
• Hand in the completed form to the cashier and pay the application fees. You will receive a receipt and a claim stub which tells you when the birth certificate is ready. it usually takes 4-6 days.
• Collect the document on the scheduled date with the ID, receipt, and claim stub. If you are not the owner, your ID and authorization letter are also required.

Apply for a Birth Certificate at Census Serbilis Centers

It is the fastest way to get a certificate, but you should make a PSA birth certificate online appointment first. Let’s see how to achieve it.

• Visit the Civil Registration Service Appointment System. After reading the instructions and Privacy Notice, click the box in front of “I Agree”. Please note that minors cannot use this booking system.
• Choose “Get copy/ies of civil registry document/s and certification/s” for the purpose of your appointment and choose a Civil Registration System (CRS) outlet.

• Provide your name, email and mobile number of the applicant whether you are applying for your certificate or another person’s. If you are booking an appointment for someone else, please enter their information.

• Enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your registered email address and verify.

• Select the type of PSA certificate (i.e., Certificate of Live Birth). Indicate the names and relationships if applying for the other person.
• Select the date and time that you want to visit.
• Mark the appointment details and make sure they are accurate.
• Check the copy of your appointment slip in your email and print it out.
• Attend the appointment at the scheduled time with a pen, the original copy and photocopy of your valid ID and other supporting documents. It is suggested to arrive a few minutes in advance.
• Wait in line and submit your application to the officer.
• Pay at the cashier and keep the receipt.
• Pick up the PSA birth certificate on the specified date. The waiting time ranges from hours to 2 business days.

FAQs:

Q: How much does a PSA Birth Certificate cost?

A: It depends on how you apply and where you apply from. It ranges from PHP 150 to PHP 330 in the Philippines and USD 20.30 outside the Philippines.

Q: Can I get a certificate if I’m under 18 years old?

A: No. The applicant must reach legal age. Your parents should represent you to request the PSA certificate

Q: Will a PSA birth certificate expire?

A: No. It has lifetime validity.

Q: Can I renew my PSA birth certificates?

A: No, because it will not expire. Once it is lost or damaged, just get another one.

Summary

Now you have learned that a PSA birth certificate is a useful and acceptable proof of identity in many cases. If you are planning to apply for one for yourself or someone else, please get an application form, valid ID and authorization letter or SPA ready. After that, you can apply on the PSASerbilis website, at the SM business center or PSA CRS outlet. They differ in price and processing time. Just pick one that fits you.