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.