Before the Birth: Leave and the Maternity Benefit
Workers in the private sector get paid maternity leave, and the father gets paternity leave if married to the mother. Tell your employer and the SSS ahead of time, as the rules require.
Register the Birth Within 30 Days
The hospital or midwife usually files the Certificate of Live Birth with the Local Civil Registrar. Check the spelling of every name and date before you sign. Fixing a mistake later means filing a request (a petition).
If the Parents Are Not Married
The child uses the mother's surname unless the father formally recognizes the child (acknowledgment) and an Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father is filed. If the parents later marry each other, the child can be made legitimate (legitimation).
If the Baby Was Born Abroad
A child born abroad to a Filipino parent is reported to the Philippine embassy or consulate through a Report of Birth, which later reaches the PSA.
Missed the 30 Days?
The birth can still be registered late, with supporting documents and affidavits.
Travel and the First IDs
Children need their own passport. A minor travelling abroad without a parent may need a DSWD Travel Clearance and a notarized consent.
Not legal advice. This is general information. For advice on your own situation, consult a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or an IBP legal aid office may help for free.
Government fees, rules and requirements change, so always check with the office concerned before you go. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.