Registering as a Voter

Who Can Register

Under the Voter's Registration Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8189, or RA 8189), you may register if you are:

• a Filipino citizen;
• at least 18 years old on election day;
• a resident of the Philippines for at least one year, and of the city or municipality where you will vote for at least six months, immediately before the election; and
• not disqualified by law.

You may register before you turn 18 or before you complete the residence period, as long as you will meet them by election day. Being away for work, school or military service does not by itself make you lose your residence.

The law disqualifies people sentenced by final judgment to at least one year in prison (until five years after serving the sentence, unless pardoned), people convicted of crimes such as rebellion or sedition, and people declared insane or incompetent.

Young people aged 15 to 17 can register as Katipunan ng Kabataan voters for Sangguniang Kabataan elections, using the same form.

Where and When to Register

Go in person to the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the city or municipality where you live. COMELEC also holds satellite registration in barangays, schools and malls during registration periods. Watch your OEO's and COMELEC's announcements.

Registration is continuing, but COMELEC announces registration periods before each election, and RA 8189 stops registration 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election. Do not wait for the last weeks, when lines are longest.

How Registration Works

1. Get the application form (COMELEC Election Form No. 1) at the OEO or download it from comelec.gov.ph. Fill it in completely and clearly.
2. Bring it to the OEO with a valid ID showing your photo and signature.
3. Have your photo, fingerprints and signature taken (biometrics).
4. Take the oath and keep your Acknowledgment Receipt.
5. The Election Registration Board (ERB) hears applications on set dates. Once approved, your name goes into the list of voters for your precinct.

Registration is free. If you are illiterate, have a disability, are a senior citizen or belong to an indigenous group, someone may help you fill in the form.

Transfer, Reactivation and Corrections

The same form covers other applications:

• Transfer: if you moved, apply at the OEO of your new city or municipality. Your old record is sent over once the ERB approves. You can also transfer within the same city to a new barangay or district.
• Reactivation: the ERB deactivates a registration for reasons including failing to vote in two successive regular elections (two in a row) (Sangguniang Kabataan elections do not count). File an application for reactivation (to restore it) at your OEO before registration closes.
• Change of name or correction of entries: for example after marriage or a court order. Bring the supporting document, such as the PSA Marriage Certificate or the court order.
• Updating your photo or signature.

Voting From Abroad

Filipinos abroad, including dual citizens, can register as overseas voters under the Overseas Voting Act (RA 9189, as amended by RA 10590). Overseas voters vote for national positions such as president, vice president, senators and party-list.

Apply in person at the Philippine embassy or consulate, or at a registration center COMELEC designates. Bring your Philippine passport. If you are a dual citizen, bring your Identification Certificate of retention or reacquisition of citizenship too. See dual citizenship.

COMELEC's Office for Overseas Voting announces the overseas registration period and the voting method for each post.