Yes. In the Philippines, you can request another copy of Form 137, but the correct process depends on why you need it. If it is for transfer to another Philippine school, the usual rule is school-to-school transmission through DepEd procedures, not personal hand-carrying. If it is for work, scholarship, visa, college admission, immigration, or use abroad, you usually request a certified true copy, certification, or CAV-ready copy from your last school or the proper DepEd Schools Division Office.

Form 137 is now commonly referred to as School Form 10 or SF10, the learner’s permanent academic record. Many schools, employers, colleges, and foreign institutions still call it “Form 137,” so do not be surprised if both names are used.

Quick Answer: Can You Request Another Copy of Form 137?

Yes, but there are important limits.

Situation	What you usually need	Where to request
Transferring to another Philippine basic education school	School-to-school transfer of Form 137/SF10	Receiving school requests from originating school through DepEd process
Applying for college, scholarship, work, visa, or migration	Certified true copy, certification, or authenticated copy	Last school attended or DepEd SDO
School has closed	Certification or record retrieval assistance	Schools Division Office with jurisdiction over the closed school
You are abroad	Request through authorized representative or coordinate by email, then secure CAV/apostille if needed	School, SDO, DepEd Regional Office, DFA
Name or birthdate has errors	Correction of school entry before certification/authentication	School, SDO, and sometimes DepEd Regional Office

The most important practical point is this: do not ask simply for “another original Form 137” unless the school specifically uses that language. Ask for the exact document your receiving institution requires, such as a certified true copy, sealed school-to-school copy, CAV copy, or apostilled school record.

What Form 137 Means in the Philippines

Form 137 is the learner’s permanent school record. It contains the learner’s identity details, grade levels completed, subjects, final ratings, promotion status, attendance, and other academic information. DepEd Order No. 54, s. 2016 defines Form 137 as the permanent school learner record showing the historical academic and co-curricular record of the learner.

DepEd’s current school forms also identify SF10 as the “Learner Permanent Academic Record” and label it as formerly Form 137. DepEd LIS support files show SF10 templates for elementary and junior high school records marked “Formerly Form 137.” (DepEd LIS Support)

Form 137 is different from Form 138, now commonly called SF9 or the learner’s progress report card. Form 138/SF9 shows the learner’s grades for a particular school year, while Form 137/SF10 is the cumulative permanent record used to verify the learner’s academic history.

Legal Basis for Requesting Form 137 or SF10

Students and parents have a legal right to access school records

The Education Act of 1982, or Batas Pambansa Blg. 232, applies to public and private schools in the Philippine educational system. It gives parents the right to access official records directly relating to children under their parental responsibility, and it gives students the right to access their own school records while requiring schools to preserve confidentiality. It also recognizes the right to the issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials, and similar documents within 30 days from request, subject to lawful regulations. (Lawphil)

For minors, parents and legal guardians may usually act for the learner. The Family Code also recognizes parental authority over unemancipated children, and the National Privacy Commission has stated that a minor learner’s data subject rights may be exercised through the parent or legal guardian. (Supreme Court E-Library)

DepEd Order No. 54, s. 2016 controls the transfer and release process

The main DepEd issuance is DepEd Order No. 54, s. 2016, or the Guidelines on the Request and Transfer of Learner’s School Records. It establishes standard processes for requesting and releasing Form 137 and Form 138, with the aim of avoiding inconvenience to learners and parents. (Department of Education)

The order emphasizes four principles:

Free, quality basic education
Transparency and accountability
Accessibility and timely release of learner records
Security and confidentiality of learner records

This is why schools are careful about releasing Form 137 directly to students. It is not just a piece of paper; it contains sensitive academic and personal information.

School records are protected personal data

Under Republic Act No. 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, education-related information can be personal or sensitive personal information. The National Privacy Commission’s Advisory Opinion No. 2025-017 specifically states that school records such as grades, assessments, rubrics, and teacher comments relating to an identifiable learner are personal data and, in substance, sensitive personal information. Schools must protect confidentiality while also giving reasonable access to the learner or, for minors, the parent or guardian. (National Privacy Commission)

This explains the common requirement for IDs, written authorization, or a Special Power of Attorney when someone else requests the record.

How to Request Another Copy of Form 137 in the Philippines

1. If the Form 137 is needed for transfer to another Philippine school

For basic education transfers, the process is usually handled between schools.

Enroll or apply at the receiving school. The receiving school will usually ask for SF9/Form 138, a certificate of last grade level completed, or other enrollment documents.
Give the receiving school your learner details. Provide your full name, birthdate, Learner Reference Number or LRN if available, last school attended, year level, school year attended, and previous school address.
The receiving school requests Form 137 from the originating school. DepEd Order No. 54 says the Learner Information System or LIS is used for the request and release of learner school records, and the transaction is strictly between the receiving and originating schools.
Do not insist on hand-carrying the Form 137 unless the school allows only a sealed copy for a specific purpose. DepEd Order No. 54 states that learners, parents, or guardians are not allowed to hand-carry the Permanent Record or Form 137 to the receiving school.
Follow up through the receiving school. Under the DepEd flow, if a month passes after LIS notification and the record is not received, the receiving school should use the follow-up mechanism. If no document is received after the first grading period, or after 30 days in mid-school-year transfers, the receiving school should inform the School Governance and Operations Division or SGOD for appropriate action.

This is why some registrars tell parents, “Form 137 is school-to-school.” They are not necessarily refusing your request; they are following DepEd’s transfer protocol.

2. If the Form 137 is needed for work, scholarship, visa, immigration, or study abroad

For non-transfer purposes, DepEd Order No. 54 recognizes a separate process. If the requesting party needs Form 137 or other school documents for purposes such as transfer to a school in another country or scholarship application, the request may be lodged with the nearest Schools Division Office to the requester’s current address. The SDO encodes the request, the SDO of the last school is notified, and the document or certification is sent to the SDO where the request was lodged for claiming.

In practice, the faster first step is still often the school registrar or records office of the last school attended. Ask whether they can issue:

Certified true copy of Form 137/SF10
Certification of graduation or completion
Diploma certified true copy
CAV-ready documents
Sealed envelope for school or embassy submission

If the document will be used abroad, ask early whether the foreign institution requires CAV or DFA apostille.

3. If the school is closed, renamed, merged, or unreachable

If your former school has closed, start with the Schools Division Office that had jurisdiction over the school’s location. DepEd Central Office has repeatedly stated in FOI responses that it does not keep learners’ school records and that requesters should coordinate with the school where they graduated or the SDO near their area. (www.foi.gov.ph)

Bring or prepare as many identifying details as possible:

Complete name used while studying
Date of birth
Names of parents
School name and old address
Year graduated or last year attended
Grade/year level completed
Section, adviser, or principal if remembered
Diploma, old report card, yearbook page, school ID, or any proof of attendance

If the records are missing, the SDO may guide the school or requester on alternative certifications based on available records such as school forms, lists of graduates, or reports of promotion. DepEd Order No. 54 also mentions that if Form 137 is unavailable due to circumstances beyond control, the Report on Promotions or School Form 5 may be used as a substitute basis.

Documents Usually Required

Requirements vary by school, SDO, and purpose, but these are commonly requested:

Requester	Usual documents
Adult former student	Valid government ID, written request, school details, year graduated or last attended
Parent of minor learner	Parent’s ID, child’s ID or birth certificate, written request
Authorized representative	Authorization letter or SPA, requester’s ID, representative’s ID
Request from abroad	SPA or authorization, passport/ID copies, representative’s ID, sometimes consular notarization or apostille
CAV or DFA apostille purpose	Certified true copies, diploma if applicable, Form 137/SF10, PSA birth certificate or passport, photos/envelope if required by the DepEd regional office

For example, DepEd CALABARZON’s published CAV checklist for basic education school records includes Form 137, diploma for graduates, PSA birth certificate or passport, passport-size photos, and additional representative requirements such as SPA and IDs. Regional checklists can differ, so it is best to check the SDO or Regional Office that will process your record. (DepEd Calabarzon)

Fees, Timelines, and Offices Involved

Step	Office involved	Typical timeline or note
School-to-school Form 137 request	Receiving school and originating school	DepEd process expects timely release; follow-up may be triggered after about one month or within the relevant grading-period timeline
Personal request for certified copy	Last school attended or SDO	Often a few days to several weeks, depending on archives and signatories
Closed school records	SDO with jurisdiction over old school	Can take longer if records must be located, reconstructed, or verified
CAV for basic education records	DepEd SDO or Regional Office	Varies by region and completeness of school records
DFA apostille	DFA Authentication/Apostille service	DFA’s published apostille fee schedule lists regular processing after 5 working days at ₱100 and expedited processing after 2 working days at ₱200; appointment-system rules may also apply depending on the document and channel used. (Apostille Services)

DepEd Order No. 54 states that the cost of requesting, processing, and releasing learner school records should be charged against SDO MOOE or school funds, subject to accounting and auditing rules. It also states that schools or SDOs that fail to act within the prescribed duration may be dealt with accordingly.

When You Need CAV or Apostille for Form 137

If Form 137 will be submitted abroad, many foreign schools, employers, licensing bodies, or immigration offices will not accept a plain photocopy. They may require:

Certified true copy from the school
Certification, Authentication and Verification or CAV from DepEd
DFA apostille or authentication

DFA’s apostille documentary requirements for elementary and high school documents identify Form 137 and diploma as school documents requiring certified true copies from the school and CAV. (Apostille Services)

The Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention on 14 May 2019, which replaced the old “red ribbon” system for countries that accept apostilles. Authentication may still be required, and for non-Apostille countries, additional embassy or consular legalization may still be needed. (Apostille Services)

Before spending time and money, ask the foreign recipient exactly what format they need:

Plain certified true copy
Sealed school envelope
DepEd CAV
DFA apostille
Embassy legalization after DFA authentication
Official translation

Common Problems When Requesting Another Copy

“The school says Form 137 is school-to-school only.”

That is usually correct for transfer to another Philippine school. Ask the receiving school to send the request. If you need the record for employment, immigration, scholarship, or foreign study, explain that the purpose is not local school transfer and ask for the school’s procedure for certified copies or CAV processing.

“My college is asking for my high school Form 137 years later.”

Go back to your high school or the SDO if the school is closed. If the Form 137 was previously sent to a college, ask the college whether it needs a fresh certified copy from the high school or whether a certification from the current custodian will be accepted.

“The school lost my record.”

Ask for a written explanation and request assistance from the SDO. Bring secondary proof such as diploma, report cards, yearbook, old IDs, certificates, or classmates’ records if requested. The SDO may check available school forms, reports of promotion, or other archives.

“My name or birthdate is wrong.”

Fix discrepancies before CAV or apostille whenever possible. Schools and DepEd offices usually compare the school record with your PSA birth certificate or passport. If the discrepancy is material, expect a correction-of-school-entry process, affidavit of discrepancy, school endorsement, or SDO/Regional Office review.

“I still have unpaid school obligations.”

For public school voluntary contributions and membership fees, DepEd Order No. 54 reiterates that non-payment of voluntary school contributions or membership fees must not be used as a basis for non-admission, non-promotion, or non-issuance of clearance.

For private school tuition or property obligations, the practical response is to ask the school for its written policy and the specific DepEd or handbook basis it is relying on. If the withholding prevents transfer or causes serious prejudice, raise the matter with the SDO or DepEd Regional Office and ask whether a certified copy, certification, direct school-to-school transmission, or payment arrangement can be accepted.

Practical Tips Before You Request

Use precise wording. Instead of saying “I need another original Form 137,” say:

“I would like to request a certified true copy of my Form 137/SF10 for [purpose], and please advise if it must be processed through CAV or released in a sealed envelope.”

Prepare identifying details. Old records are easier to locate when you provide your full name at the time of enrollment, birthdate, school year, grade/year level, section, adviser, and graduation year.

Ask the recipient first. If a foreign university, embassy, employer, or credential evaluator requires apostille, do not request a plain photocopy only. Ask the school for documents prepared for DepEd CAV.

Keep copies of everything. Save request letters, emails, claim stubs, receipts, screenshots of follow-ups, and names of offices contacted. These help if you need SDO or DepEd Regional Office assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request another copy of my Form 137?

Yes. You can request another certified copy, certification, or school-to-school copy depending on the purpose. The school may not simply hand you the transfer record if it is meant for another Philippine school, because DepEd’s process requires school-to-school handling.

Is Form 137 the same as SF10?

For practical purposes, yes. SF10 is the current school form name for the learner’s permanent academic record. Many people still call it Form 137 because that was the traditional name.

Can I personally claim my Form 137?

You may be able to personally claim a certified true copy or certification for work, scholarship, visa, or other lawful purpose. For transfer to another Philippine school, DepEd rules generally require the receiving school to request and receive the record directly.

Can my parent request my Form 137?

If you are a minor, your parent or legal guardian can usually request access or assist in the request, subject to ID and relationship verification. If you are already an adult, many schools require your own written request or authorization.

What if I am abroad and cannot personally appear?

You can usually authorize a representative. Expect the school, SDO, DepEd Regional Office, or DFA-related process to require an authorization letter or SPA, copies of valid IDs, and the representative’s ID. If the document is signed abroad, the receiving office may require consular notarization or apostille depending on its rules.

How long does it take to get another copy of Form 137?

Simple school-issued certified copies may take a few days, but archived, closed-school, correction, CAV, or apostille cases can take weeks. The Education Act recognizes issuance of official school documents within 30 days from request, subject to lawful regulations, while DepEd transfer procedures include specific follow-up points when records are not transmitted on time. (Lawphil)

What should I do if my school has closed?

Contact the SDO with jurisdiction over the school’s former location. DepEd Central Office generally does not keep individual learner records, so the SDO is the more practical office for closed-school record issues. (www.foi.gov.ph)

Do I need DFA apostille for Form 137?

Only if the document will be used abroad and the receiving institution requires it. For elementary and high school records, the usual chain is school certified true copy, DepEd CAV, then DFA apostille or authentication. (Apostille Services)

Can a school refuse to release Form 137 because of privacy?

Privacy is a reason to verify identity and authority, not a blanket reason to ignore a valid request. The National Privacy Commission has stated that schools must maintain confidentiality while providing reasonable access to the learner’s own records, subject to verification and safeguards for other people’s data.

Key Takeaways

You can request another copy of Form 137, but usually as a certified true copy, certification, CAV copy, or school-to-school transfer, not as a freely hand-carried original.
Form 137 is now commonly called SF10, the learner’s permanent academic record.
For Philippine school transfers, the request is normally handled between the receiving school and originating school through DepEd procedures.
For work, scholarship, immigration, or foreign study, ask your school or SDO about certified copies, CAV, and DFA apostille.
If the school is closed or unreachable, go to the Schools Division Office with jurisdiction over the old school.
Because Form 137 contains sensitive personal and academic information, schools may require IDs, authorization, or SPA before releasing copies.