Registering a Birth Late

The Rules That Apply

A birth should be reported within 30 days. The rules come from Act No. 3753, the Civil Registry Law, and the rules written to carry it out, Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1993. A report made after the 30 days is "delayed" (Rules 12 and 19).

Delayed registration is filed with the civil registrar of the place where the birth happened (Rule 25).

Requirements

For a person under 18, Rule 25 of Administrative Order No. 1, s. 1993 lists:

1. Four copies of the Certificate of Live Birth, filled in and signed by the proper persons.
2. An Affidavit for Delayed Registration (a sworn statement), on the back of the certificate, by the father, mother or guardian. It states the name, date and place of birth, the parents, and why the birth was not registered within 30 days.
3. Any two documents showing the name, date and place of birth and the mother's name, such as a Baptismal Certificate, school records, the parents' income tax return, an insurance policy, medical records, or a certification from the barangay captain.
4. An Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons (two people who are not relatives and gain nothing from it) who witnessed or knew of the birth.

For a person 18 or older, the same requirements apply, plus a Marriage Certificate if the person is married. If the person reporting the birth of a child born outside marriage is not the mother, they also give a sworn statement on where the mother is.

Most LCRs also ask for a PSA negative certification of birth, which shows that the PSA has no birth record for the person. The PSA says these are good for six months from the date issued and will not be accepted after that (PSA Public Advisory, 4 May 2026).

Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons

This is a joint sworn statement by two people who are not related to the person being registered and do not benefit from the registration, who knew of the birth. They state who they are, how they know the facts, and the name, date and place of birth and the parents' names. Both sign and swear to it in front of a notary, which is called a jurat.

Our Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons template follows this outline.

What Happens After You File

• The civil registrar checks that the forms and requirements are complete.
• A notice of the application is posted on the city or municipal bulletin board for at least 10 days (Rule 13).
• If no one objects, the registrar checks the documents and, if satisfied that the birth happened in their city or town and was never registered, registers it. The entry is marked "Delayed Registration".
• If someone objects, the registrar looks into it and sends the findings to the Civil Registrar General (the head of civil registration at the PSA), who decides.
• Once registered, the LCR sends the record to the PSA. You can later request a PSA copy.

Fees and Local Requirements

Fees for delayed registration and for the PSA negative certification are set by the LCR and the PSA. Some LCRs ask for more documents, an interview or IDs of the witnesses. Call or visit the LCR first and ask for their current checklist and fees.

If the birth record exists but has errors, that is a correction, not a late registration. See correcting PSA records.