How to Get a Copy of a PSA Certified Death Certificate in the Philippines

There are a lot of reasons why you might need an original copy of someone’s death certificate. The good news is that it’s not that hard to get a copy. If you are a family member of the deceased, all you need is a valid ID. Without further ado, here are the steps you need to follow in getting a death certificate in the Philippines that’s certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Step 1: Get a valid government-issued ID. You are only going to need just one valid ID but I highly recommend that you bring with you two valid IDs just to be sure. I’ve heard that some offices of the PSA require applicants to present more than one valid ID when applying for a death certificate. For disclosure purposes, I acquired a death certificate at a PSA office in Baguio City. They only asked for one valid ID. I presented my voter’s ID and they accepted it.

Step 2: Go to the nearest PSA office near you. Go here to check a complete list of all PSA offices in the country. Find the one that is most accessible in your area and go to it. Don’t forget to bring a pen with you. Some offices have very limited number of pens which means you have to fall in line just to use a pen. So bring a pen with you.

Step 3: Get a copy of the application form for death certificates in the Philippines. You can usually get a copy from the guard manning the entrance of the office. The death certificate application form is a one-page yellow form. It’s not for sale so if there are people trying to sell you a form, don’t entertain them. You should report them to the authorities instead. Fill up the form then proceed to the “payments window”. This window is where you submit the completed form. The officer will also ask you to present your valid ID. He/she will ask your relation with the deceased. You should answer the questions as honestly as you can.

How much is the death certificate? I paid only 155 pesos at the PSA office in Baguio City. I don’t know if other PSA offices in the country collect the same amount. I’ve heard that the amount varies depending on the province and region. To verify, just visit the PSA office nearest you. The fees and charges are usually posted where anyone can see them.

Step 4: After payment, you will be asked to sit at the waiting area and wait for your name to be called. If your name is called, proceed to the “release window” and get the death certificate you applied for. That’s it. The whole process can be completed in under an hour provided that there are no long lines at the PSA office.

To request for a death certificate, you need to provide the following information. You are going to input these details when you fill up the death certificate application form.
1. Complete name of the deceased person
2. Date of death of the deceased person
3. Date of birth of the deceased person
4. Place of marriage of the deceased person
5. Complete name and residential address of the party requesting for the death certificate
6. Number of copies of the death certificate that the requesting party needs
7. Purpose of the requesting party in getting the death certificate. You are going to choose if you’re going use the death certificate for any of the following purposes: claim benefits/loan, passport/travel, employment abroad, local employment, school requirements, and others.
8. Requester’s tax identification number or TIN (optional)
9. Birth Reference Number or BReN (if known, optional)

Steps On How To Get Your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Online

Before anything else, what is an OEC? This is a document that is required by the POEA for all Filipinos who work abroad. It ensures that you are properly documented and protected. It is sometimes referred to as an "exit pass".

1. Go online and visit the official website for the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System. This is a website specifically created by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for Filipinos who want to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) via the internet. The website is bmonline.ph. Make sure that you are on the right URL to avoid identity theft.

2. If you are using the website for the first time, you must fill up the form under the "New User" heading. Put in the details for your first name, middle name (not middle initial), last name, birth date, gender, email address, and password. Double-check everything before you click on the "Sign Me Up" button.

3. Log into your email account and open the message sent to you by POEA. Click on the confirmation link provided inside the email message.

4. Go to the bmonline.ph website and log-in as Already Registered user. Enter your last issued OEC number. If no record found, set an Online Appointment.

5. If record is found, update your Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Beneficiaries, as needed.

6. Click Acquire OEC or Exemption for online assessment. Enter flight date and confirm if returning to the same employer and jobsite.

7. If returning to the same employer and jobsite, the system will display a confirmation message indicating that you are exempted from securing the OEC and payment of processing fee.

8. If not, you will be redirected to the Appointment Page. Select your preferred POEA office and schedule for processing of OEC and payment.

How To Get A Barangay Certificate Of Indigency Or Low Income In The Philippines

A Certificate of Indigency or a Certificate of Low Income is a document that are sometimes required by the Philippine government or a private institution as proof of an individual's financial situation. The certificate is often required to avail of government services (i.e. educational scholarships, medical assistance).

How and where to get the certificate
Th very first thing you should do is go to the barangay hall where you are a registered voter and request for a Certificate of Indigency or Certificate of Low Income. It's very important that you visit the barangay hall personally because the requirements often differ from one community to another. Ask the person in charge about the documents that you need to process before you can be given a certificate. The requirements needed vary from one barangay to another but these may include any of the following:

1. Barangay Certification / Barangay Certificate of Residency
2. Certificate of No Property from Municipal Assessor's Office
3. Certificate of No Business from the Municipal Treasury Office
4. Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
5. Assessment Report from the CSWDO or MSWDO

In short, aside from visiting your barangay hall for a request, you might also need to go to offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper assessment. The steps are often as follows: (1) Register. (2) Submit barangay certification of residency and indigency letter. (3) Receive certificate of indigency.

Here's the mostly used format as well as a sample of a barangay Certificate of Indigency / Certificate of Low Income:

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Benguet

Municipality of La Trinidad

Barangay Buyagan

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that Juan dela Cruz, of legal age, single, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton and Benita dela Cruz, is a bonafide resident of barangay Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet. The said person is of good moral character, a law-abiding citizen, and an active member of the community.

Furthermore, Juan dela Cruz is also one of those who belong to a low income family. He has five siblings. The combined annual net income of his parents doesn't exceed fifty-thousand (50,000) pesos.

This certification is being issued upon the request of the above-named person for [identify here the purpose of the requester why he's getting a certificate of indigency].

Given this 3rd day of April 2017 at barangay Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Renato Reyes

Barangay Captain/Punong Barangay

How To Get A Postal ID In The Philippines

In this comprehensive guide, I am going to tell you everything you need to know about getting a new postal ID in the Philippines. I will show you the exact steps on how to avail of the ID as well as the requirements you must fulfill to ensure that you get the card as quickly as possible. The good thing about postal IDs is that you can get them in any post office in the country. It's one of the easiest and fastest to obtain identification cards in the Philippines. Since it's issued by the government, it's widely accepted as a means of identification in both public and private transactions. Most banks and other financial institutions in the country honor the ID as proof of identity for sensitive banking transactions.

Here are the steps you need to take in applying for a postal ID in the Philippines:
1. Get at least two copies of the application form. You can get them at the nearest postal office or you can download them from the PhilPost website.
2. Completely fill up the forms.
3. Gather all the requirements.
4. Submit the required documents for screening.
5. Go to the nearest PhilPost ID capture station to have your photo and fingerprints taken.
6. That's it. If you complete all of the above, all you need to do now is wait for the new ID card to be delivered to you. Delivery can take between 15 to 30 days.
7. If the card isn't delivered to you, visit the postal office where you applied to check the status of your card.

How much does a new postal ID cost?
According to the official website of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), the price of a new Philippine postal ID is five hundred and four (504) pesos. The breakdown of the cost is as follows: 450 for the card including the delivery fee and 54 for the 12% value-added tax (VAT). According to PhilPost, this amount remains the same for all postal offices in the country. However, this doesn't seem to be true because some people are reporting that they paid more while others say that they paid less. In short, the fee for the card may either be higher or lower in your location.

How To Get The New Philippine Postal ID

How long will the ID be valid?
It will be valid for three (3) years starting from the day you received the card. This validity period applies to all Filipinos and for foreign residents who have a Special Retiree's Resident Visa or SRRV. For foreign residents who don't have an SRRV, the validity period is only one (1) year. You can see if your card is still valid or not by looking at the expiry date which is clearly imprinted on the card.

Here's the updated list of requirements when getting a postal ID in the Philippines:
1. Two (2) copies of duly-accomplished application forms.
2. Proof of identity. (See below list of documents that are accepted by PhilPost as proof of identity.)
3. Proof of address. (See below list of documents that are accepted by PhilPost as proof of address.)

List of documents that are accepted by PhilPost as proof of identity:
1. Birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or local civil registry
2. GSIS or SSS UMID card
3. Driver's license
4. Passport
5. BIR ID
6. Baptismal certificate
7. Certificate of birth from the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
8. Certificate of birth from the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)
9. Certificate of marriage from the NCIP
10. Certificate of marriage from the NCMF
11. College or post-graduate transcript of records (TOR) with readable dry seal
12. Confirmation certificate
13. Elementary or high school form 137 with readable dry seal
14. Marriage certificate in SECPA issued by NSO
15. Marriage certificate issued by LCR
16. Alumni ID
17. School ID
18. Company ID
19. Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
20. NBI clearance bearing digitized photo
21. OWWA ID
22. Pag-ibig ID
23. PhilHealth ID
24. PRC ID
25. Police clearance
26. Seaman's book
27. Senior citizen ID
28. Voter's ID

List of documents that are accepted by PhilPost as proof of address:
1. Barangay certificate of residency
2. Certified true copy of lease
3. School billing statement
4. Utility bill
5. Credit card statement
6. Bank statement
7. Certified true copy of real estate tax receipt
8. Certified true copy of titles issued by the Land Registration Authority (LRA)

Other important notes:
1. Married women should bring with them a marriage certificate in the event that they need to validate the change in their surname from the one one shown in their birth document.
2. With regards to replacement of a lost or stolen ID, most of the steps and requirements are the same. it's still advisable that you visit where you registered and ask what steps you must take.

How To Get A Passport In The Philippines For First-Time Passport Applicants

If it's your first time to apply for a passport in the Philippines, this step-by-step and detailed guide on how you can go about it should help you make the process easier and quicker. Getting a passport in the Philippines really isn't that hard. Just follow the instructions below. You can print out this article for future reference.

Step One - Get a copy of the passport application form and completely fill it up. You can avail of this form from any Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office. You can also download it from the official website of the DFA. Just copy the form and have it printed out. In the form, you will be asked to provide your complete name, place of birth, date of birth, gender, civil status, address, occupation, citizenship, and contact numbers.

Step Two - Get a copy of your birth certificate in Security Paper (SECPA) that's issued by the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA). The certificate can also be a certified true copy issued by a local civil registrar but it must still be authenticated by the PSA.

Step Three - Make sure that you have the necessary valid IDs and supporting documents. You should have at least one (1) valid ID and two (2) supporting documents. Below is a list of accepted valid IDs and supporting documents as put forth by the DFA.

List of Required Valid IDs:
1. Digitized SSS ID
2. Driver's license
3. GSIS E-card
4. PRC ID
5. IBP ID
6. OWWA ID
7. Digitized BIR ID
8. Senior Citizen's ID
9. Unified Multi-Purpose UD (UMID)
10. Voter's ID

Other types of IDs accepted by the agency:
1. Old college ID
2. Alumni ID
3. Employment ID

List of Required Supporting Documents:
1. Marriage Contract issued by the Philippine Statistics Office
2. Land Title
3. Seaman's Book
4. Government Service Record
5. Police Clearance
6. Digitized Postal ID
7. Voter's Certification, List of Voters and Voter's Registration Record (please attach receipt)
8. School Yearbook
9. Readable SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form
10. Barangay Clearance
11. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
12. Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal

Step Four - Schedule an appointment. There are two ways on how you can do this. You can directly visit any of the DFA's regional consular offices and their satellite offices located in selected malls. Or you can schedule an appointment online. It's highly recommended that you schedule an appoint ment online. It's easy and hassle-free. To do it, use the following link: [https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment]. Just follow the instructions and you are good to go.

Step Five - Go to the consular office or satellite office on the date and time as stated on your scheduled appointment. Don't forget to bring with you the duly accomplished application form, your birth certificate, a valid AD, and two of the required supporting documents.

Step Six - Proceed depending on what happens or what's advised for you to do during your first appointment. That's it. If your application is successful, you can get your passport within a few weeks.

Note: There are two types of passport processing. These are express processing and regular processing. For express processing, the fee that you will pay is 1,200 pesos and your passport will be processed between 7 to 10 working days. For regular processing, the fee is 950 pesos and your passport will be processed between 20 and 30 working days.

A Guide On How To Get Your Voter's ID In The Philippines

You can only get a voter's ID in the Philippines if you are a registered voter and if you have completed your biometrics at a local office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). A complete biometrics means the Comelec has your photograph, fingerprints, and signature. No biometrics means you won't be able to get your voter's ID.

Why is it important to get a voter's ID in the Philippines?

Before anything else, it's worth mentioning here that a voter's ID is not a requirement for voting. Even if you don't have the card, you will still be able to vote. The biggest benefit of having a voter's ID is the fact that it's one of the valid IDs that are recognized for identification purposes by government offices and private institutions like banks and organizations. You can present it to prove your identity in almost all government transactions. For instance, it's accepted by the Department of Foreign Affairs if you apply for a passport in the Philippines.

How do you register as a voter?
Well, first of all, you need to be at least 18 years old. If you are within the right age, simply go to a Comelec office near you and tell them that you want to register. They will guide you on what to do next. But before you troop to the registration office, make sure that you have a valid identification document with you.

Here's an updated list of the IDs accepted by a Comelec office for voter registration purposes:

1. Current employee's ID containing the signature of the employer or an authorized representative

2. Student's ID or library card containing the signature of the appropriate school authority

3. Driver's license

4. Passport

5. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID

6. Postal ID

7. Senior Citizen's ID

8. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
9. Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

10. Social Security System (SSS) ID

11. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ID

12. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) license

13) Person with Disability Discount ID

Please note that the cedula (Community Tax Certificate) and clearance from the Philippine National Police are not honored by the Comelec for voter registration purposes.

With your valid ID, go to the Comelec office and register. The whole process will take just a few minutes. You will fill up a form, answer questions by a Comelec employee, have your picture taken, have your thumb prints taken, and provide your signature. After completing your biometrics, the employee will inform you further details on when you will be able to get your voter's ID. Usually, you will be given a stub (a piece of paper) that you will present when you return to claim your voter's ID.

The processing time for the voter's ID differ from region to region. Some voters claim that they are able to get their IDs within weeks, some within months, while others say that it took years before they are able to get their ID. And then there are some who say they never got their ID. With that said, it's best that you regularly return to the Comelec's office where you registered to check on the status of your ID.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting A Voter's ID In The Philippines

What are the information printed on the voter's ID card?

The card will contain the following information: the name and current address of the registered voter, his date of birth, his gender (male, female), his photograph, his thumb print, his precinct number, his voter's identification number or VIN, his signature, and the signature of the chairman of the Election Registration Board.

Can I check online if my voter's ID is ready and available?
No. As far as we know, the Comelec doesn't have a system wherein you can check online if your ID has already been processed and ready for pick-up. Your only option is go to the office where you registered and inquire if your ID is available and ready. Don't forget to bring with you the stub given to you when you registered as a voter. If you lost or misplaced the stub, tell the election officer that you lost it.

Where can I get my voter's ID?
Go to the office where you registered. As far as we know, you can't claim the ID in a different location as the place you registered. For instance, if you registered in Makati City, you can't claim the ID in other cities such as Quezon City.

How long does it take before I'll be able to get my voter's ID?
Again, this seems to be on a case to case basis. Some were able to get their cards within a year, some took more than five years, and some were never able to claim their card. Whether you registered in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, or the years before, your best option is to visit the local Comelec office near you and inquire about the status of your ID. Determination and persistence might get you somewhere. Who knows, those people whose duty it is to process your card may be sitting on their butts because you haven't bugged them enough. :)

How can I check my voter's ID status?
Go to the office where you registered and inquire about your card. Don't waste your time contacting them through their website because they never reply. We know because we tried. Just visit the Comelec branch where you completed your biometrics. There's really no other way of checking the status of your card. As we mentioned earlier, the Comelec doesn't have an online voter's ID verification system.

How about voter's ID release in 2016?
Well, we still haven't heard anything from the Comelec saying they have new batches of IDs for release. They aren't even updating us on the status of the cards. So again, what you need to do is go to the place where you completed your biometrics and ask.