Individuals might be asked to demonstrate that they are in good health conditions, such as employees in certain industries and international travelers. In the Philippines, you can prove it by presenting a health certificate. In this passage, we are going to introduce what a health certificate is, where and how to obtain it, and some related issues.
What Is a Health Certificate?
A health certificate is a certificate of good health issued by Municipal Health Department to operation and management personnel no matter what position he/she takes. It can be into two types depending on the industry you are engaged in: Non-Food Health Certificate Card and Food Health Certificate Card. Results of Urinalysis tests, Fecalysis tests, and X-rays are included in the document.
When Do I Need a Health Certificate?
As it carries basic personal details and health conditions, this health certificate can be used in daily life and official transactions, such as:
- applying for a job;
- applying for a driver’s license;
- traveling abroad;
- purchasing or claiming insurance;
- obtaining health benefits from employers;
Health Certificate Requirements
To successfully obtain a health certificate, applicants should prepare the following required documents and diagnoses in advance.
- A duly accomplished application form is available on the portal of Health Certificate & Sanitary Permi;
- A recent 2×2 ID photo;
- Payment receipt for certificate fees and examination fees;
- Sputum AFB and Stool/Fecalys;
- Chest X-ray results (unless exempted);
- Proof of HIV seminar online or offline from an authorized institution;
- Original copy of the birth certificate (required for applicants under 18);
- Written consent from a parent or legal guardian (required for applicants under 18);
- Original valid ID of the parent or legal guardian that gives consent (required for applicants under 18).
How to Get a Health Certificate
The health certificate application method depends on where you are. Online and in-person applications are available in most cases.
How to Get a Health Certificate Online
It can be done on the official website of the Health Department or a mobile application. No matter which city you applying from, you will go through the following procedures. In this section, we will talk about how to get health certificate in Quezon City online.
- Visit the online portal of Quezon City – QC E-Services and click on the “here” hyperlink to register. If you already have an account, skip this step and log in directly.
- Fill out the required fields (marked with an asterisk), such as name, date of birth, email, and contact. Finish the verification and check the box to agree to the terms and conditions. Click on the “REGISTER” button.
- A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email. Check the details and click on the “Activate my account” link to confirm registration.
- You will directed to the QC E-Services again. Log in and navigate to the “Health Certificate and Sanitary Permit” Section.
- Click on the “Health card” from the service list and choose the details of the beneficiary. Click on the “APPLY FOR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE”.
- Complete the Online Health Certificate Application Form and click on the “Next” button.
- Upload the required documents and click on the “SUBMIT APPLICATION” button.
- Pay the application fees online or at the City Treasurer’s Office Cashier or any CTO branch/satellite office. Print out the Order of Payment.
- Choose an accredited diagnostic clinic or laboratory to take necessary fecal exams.
- If you use QCHD In-house clinical laboratory services, the results of laboratory specimens will be uploaded to the QC E-Services system automatically. If you use external (any DOH-licensed) clinical laboratory services, you have to submit the result manually.
- Upload the payment receipt or Official Receip and receive a seminar link.
- Watch the video and complete the test. If you already
- Generate a digital version of the health certificate online and print it out.
How to Get a Health Certificate Walk-in
Supposing that you have no access to Internet service or the online system temporarily breaks down, you can apply for a health certificate in person through the guidance below.
- Show a valid government-issued ID and obtain a Health Card Application Form from the Sanitation Division Office.
- Receive an order of payment and pay the application fees at the City Treasurer’s Office Cashier or any CTO branch/satellite office.
- Submit the stool and sputum specimen at a designated window for laboratory examination.
- Pick up the results of the examination. Some laboratories might send the result to the authority automatically.
- Attend an HIV/AIDS seminar online or offline which is only required for first-time applicants.
- Collect your health certificate ID after your application is approved.
Where Can I Get a Health Certificate
The certificate of good health can be obtained on the municipal health department portal or a physical Health Office. You can find the nearest one in your barangay on Google Maps. As for the chest X-ray and sputum exam, you must go to an accredited laboratory or clinic, which can be found on the website of your local Department of Health. Here is a list of QCHD in-house clinical laboratories.
| Laboratories | Locations |
| Quezon City Health Department Central Laboratory | Ground Floor, QCHD Bldg. Hall Compound, District 4 |
| Novaliches District Center | Jordan Plains Subd. Brgy. Sta. Monica, Novaliches District 5 |
| Toro Hills Health Center | Road 11 Cor. Road 12, Brgy. Bahay Toro, District 1 |
| Commonwealth Health Center | Commonwealth Ave, District 2 |
| Project 4 Health Center | Dist. 309 P. Tuazon Blvd. Project 4 District 3 |
| Kamuning Health Center | T. Gener St. Brgy. Kamuning, District 4 |
| Fairview Health Center | Dahlia Ave, Novaliches District 5 |
| Apolonio Samson Health Center | 168 Kaingin Rd, Balintawak, District 6 |
How Much Does a Health Certificate Cost?
The total cost might vary from where you apply and the services you choose. In Quezon City, the fees of a health certificate for employment consist of the following parts.
- Processing fee of the certificate: PHP 75;
- HIV Seminar fee: PHP 50;
- Laboratory fees: PHP 110 for the sputum exam and PHP 65 for the stool exam.
The payment method might vary from municipality to municipality. In most cases, the fees can be paid online through Transfer/ Deposit payment or offline at the designated cashier. No matter which way you choose, make sure to obtain an Official Receipt (OR) after payment which serves as proof of payment for health certificate application.
How Long Is a Health Certificate Valid?
A health certificate is usually valid for one year. When it expires, you have to renew it. You can also choose online or walk-in renewal. The renewal requirements and process are similar to first-time applications. Here is a general instruction.
- Fill out the health certificate application form online or by paper.
- Submit the laboratory specimens (stool and sputum) to any authorized clinical laboratory.
- Pay the application fees online and save a payment receipt.
- Submit the completed form, laboratory result, 2×2 ID photo, medical laboratory results, and payment receipt. If you already have an HIV Seminar certificate, just upload it and you don’t need to watch a video again.
- Generate a digital health certificate (in the case of renewing online) or collect it at the health department office.
How to Make a 2×2 ID Picture with a White Background?
As part of the health certificate requirements, the 2×2 biometric photo must comply with all the official guidelines, including size, background color, photo quality, posture, facial expressions, etc. If you want to DIY a picture, AiPassportPhotos will help you. With this online ID photo editor, you can make a qualified 2×2 photo for a health certificate with a mobile phone at home.
- Take a head-and-shoulder photo in a well-lit and evenly-lit place. Make sure the whole face is visible with any shadows or facial coverings. Please note that selfies are not allowed.
- Visit the AiPassportPhotos 2 x 2 In Photo Maker and upload the photo.
- Wait for a few seconds for the tool to check photo compliance, resize the photo, and replace the unsuitable background.
- Preview the post-edited photo and download the 100% compliant photo.
FAQ
💟 How to get a health certificate in Quezon City?
You can apply for it on QC E-Services or at the sanitation division office.
💟 Is a health certificate a medical certificate?
No. A health certificate is a government-issued document about health conditions while a medical certificate is a written statement issued by a licensed medical practitioner or doctor.
💟 How can I get a Makati health certificate?
Starting from 2023, you can apply for the document on its local online health clearance certificate system.
Summary
The health certificate is widely used in many public and official transactions. The health certificate application can be done online or at a physical branch/office. It is suggested to contact your local health department and confirm where and how to get a health certificate. As the processing time takes a few days, you are supposed to apply for it one week in advance.
Dolores Xiao