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Birth certificate, passports and more: Your guide to getting government documents for your children
Like adults, children must also have their government-issued documents. These documents, like the birth certificate, are important as soon as they start school and for many other purposes. Another example is the passport, which is essential when traveling outside the country. Let us give you a round-up of all the documents you can and must get for your kids.
Certificate of Live Birth
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, a Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) is issued upon the birth of a child. This certificate includes all the important information about a child's birth, including the name of the child, birth place and date, and the complete name of the parents.
The parents review and sign this document, which is then sent to the Local Civil Registry Office of the municipality or city where the child was born. After the LCR creates a record of the child's birth, the document will be forwarded to the Philippine Statistics Authority, which is the authorized government agency that issues a Birth Certificate. This document is vital as it needs to be presented from the time your kids start preschool until they enter college, apply for a passport, and for opening bank accounts, among others.
Here are the following steps to get a certified true copy of a Certificate of Live Birth:
1. Go to the Local Civil Registrar’s office where the child is born and provide the following: complete and registered name, date and place of birth, and complete names of parents.
2. The Registration Office will check if the COLB is available based on the information you provided, and once they find your file, you will be asked to pay for the copy at the Municipal Treasurer and get the official receipt.
3. Present the official receipt to the Municipal Civil Registrar to get the certified copy of the birth certificate.
How to get a copy of a PSA Birth Certificate?
PSAHelpline.ph highlighted the importance of having a PSA birth certificate. According to the website, "This is an official document that details your identity, nationality, and lineage," and it is also "required if you’re applying for licenses, IDs, and official documents for school and employment purposes, among others."
Getting a copy of a PSA Birth Certificate is now made easier. Unlike in the past, there is no need for you to visit a PSA office and spend an entire day standing in a long queue. The document can now be ordered online and delivered either to your home or office. A copy of a PSA birth certificate is priced at P365.00. Payments can be made online using a credit card, GCash, or PayMaya, and via the agency's partner banks and payment centers. The copy of the PSA birth certificate can be received within 3 to 4 working days if in Metro Manila, and 3 to 8 working days for provincial areas.
How to get a PSA Birth Certificate online?
For online applicants, you can visit PSAHelpline.ph and click the “Order Now” button. You may now proceed with your application by clicking on the necessary buttons. After completing the online application process, a reference number will be given, which you will use in paying for your document.
Philippine Passport for children and minors
Making memories by traveling to other countries with your children is possible as soon as you get them a child passport. However, since they are minors, there is a particular way for them to get a Philippine passport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The website of the Office of Consular Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs has a list of requirements for minor applicants. It includes the following:
1. Confirmed online appointment
2. Duly accomplished application form
3. Personal appearance of a minor accompanied by a parent or an adult
4. PSA Birth Certificate
5. If only one parent is accompanying the child, a marriage certificate is required. Meanwhile, a special power of attorney (PSA) from the mother is required for unmarried parents. SPA's executed abroad must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
6. Parent's passport or any government-issued ID.
7. School ID (if applicable)
For online applicants, you can visit PSAHelpline.ph and click the “Order Now” button. You may now proceed with your application by clicking on the necessary buttons. After completing the online application process, a reference number will be given, which you will use in paying for your document.
The regular application processing costs P950.00, while the price for special processing is P1,200.00.
The website also mentioned other supporting documents and necessary requirements for other cases such as a newborn applicant, an illegitimate child, or a child that has undergone a domestic adoption process.
Philippine Identification Card for Children
According to the Philippine News Agency, children aged 5 and above can now register for the National ID. Quoting a September 20 press release, PNA reported that “Yes, even babies can register for the national ID. Mothers, you can register your babies so they will not have a hard time getting an ID when they grow up.”
To start, children, accompanied by parents or a guardian, may visit any registration hubs of the Philippine Statistics Authority. The parents and guardians must bring the child’s documents, including a birth certificate, a valid school ID, and a valid government ID of the parent or guardian. After the first step of application, registrants have to book an appointment for the biometrics phase, which includes the iris scan, fingerprints, and taking front-facing photographs.
The national ID "shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts." It added, "It also seeks to boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions."
How to get a Postal ID?
The Postal ID, issued by the Philippine Post Office (PhilPost), is another government ID you can get for your kids as it is also available to everyone regardless of age.
The Philippine Postal ID website listed the following requirements in the application for a Postal ID:
2. Proof of Identity (you can use a birth certificate issued by NSO or Local Civil Registry)
3. Proof of Address (you can use a school billing statement or utility bill)
The Postal ID is priced at P504.00 for regular applications and P650.00 for rush applications. It is valid for three years for Filipinos.
