Updated for general legal practice and administrative procedures in the Philippines. This is a comprehensive guide—but agency-specific rules and forms can change, so always check the latest circulars or public advisories before filing.

I. Core Legal Concepts

1) Domicile vs. Residence

Domicile is your fixed, permanent home to which you intend to return when absent.
Residence is your actual physical place of abode. Philippine law uses both terms, but many administrative processes rely on residence (where you actually live), while some rights (e.g., voting eligibility and candidacy) are tied to residency periods established by statute.

2) Barangay, City/Municipality, Province

Addresses are keyed to the barangay (the smallest political unit) within a city/municipality and province (or NCR district). Most proofs of address and certifications begin at the barangay and LGU level.

3) Proof of Address (Typical)

Commonly accepted proofs include:

Barangay Certificate of Residency (or Barangay Indigency with address)
Lease contract or notarized authorization from the owner + ID of lessor/owner
Utility bill (electricity/water/internet) showing your name and new address
Real property tax declaration/official receipts (if applicable)
Delivery statements from reputable institutions (banks, government mailers) Agencies differ on what they accept; bring at least two proofs whenever possible.

II. Barangay & LGU Documents

A. Barangay Certificate of Residency

Issued by your barangay to attest that you reside at a specific address.
Requirements typically include a valid ID and any proof of residence; some barangays require personal appearance or a neighbor’s attestation.
Processing is same-day in most barangays; fees are minimal.

B. Police Clearance (with New Address)

Many LGUs issue National Police Clearance or City/Municipal Police Clearance through PNP systems and/or LGU kiosks.
Present your barangay certificate and IDs; the address on the clearance should match your new residence.

C. Community Tax Certificate (CTC or “Cedula”)

Issued by the city/municipality (often in the Treasurer’s Office).
Reflects your current address and may be asked for in some applications and affidavits.

Tip: Secure the Barangay Certificate of Residency first, then obtain police clearance and CTC if you anticipate agencies asking for layered proofs.

III. National IDs and Population Systems

A. PhilID / PhilSys (RA 11055)

The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is the primary national ID.
Address is an “updatable” field. You can request an update at designated PhilSys Registration Centers (and, where available, through enabled online channels).
Bring your original PhilID (if issued), your transaction slip (if any), and proof of new address.

B. PSA Civil Registry vs. Address

Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates do not carry current residential addresses; they remain unchanged when you move. No action needed with PSA for address.

IV. Sector-Specific Government IDs & Records

A. Driver’s License and LTO Records (RA 4136 and regulations)

File a Change of Address/Records at an LTO District Office or Licensing Center.
Bring your license, an Accomplished Change of Records form, and proof of new address.
If your license card format includes address, a reprint may be done; otherwise the system record is updated.
Vehicle Certificate of Registration (CR/OR) owner address should likewise be updated if you own a vehicle.

B. Voter’s Registration (COMELEC)

File a Transfer of Registration (inter-city/municipality/barangay) or Change of Address (within the same city/municipality).
Eligibility requires at least 1 year residence in the Philippines and 6 months in the city/municipality where you intend to vote as of election day.
Bring valid ID and proof of new address; expect biometrics capture as needed.
Watch for registration periods (there are cut-offs before elections).

C. BIR (TIN Records; NIRC, Sec. 236)

Individuals update via BIR Form 1905 (Registration Information Update).
If moving to a new Revenue District Office (RDO), request transfer of RDO through 1905; bring valid ID and proof of address.
Employees should also inform their employer so payroll tax reporting aligns with the correct RDO.
Self-employed or mixed-income taxpayers must update books of accounts, receipts/invoices authority, and business permits if the business address changed.

D. SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, GSIS

SSS: Update member data online (My.SSS) or via Member Data Change form; attach proof of address. If you hold a UMID, your card may not need reprint unless you want the embedded address updated for other uses; the member record is what matters most.
PhilHealth: File a Member Data Amendment (PMRF) with updated address; many updates can be lodged through employer or online channels.
Pag-IBIG (HDMF): Use Member’s Change of Information form or Virtual Pag-IBIG.
GSIS (for government employees/retirees): Update via eGSISMO or member service office; some agencies require agency HR endorsements.

E. PRC Professional ID

Update the address in your Leris (PRC online) account. The PRC card often does not display the address; reissuance is usually unnecessary unless other fields change.

F. DFA Passport

The ePassport does not display your residential address. No reissuance is required for an address change. Update your contact address in future applications/renewals and with agencies that rely on it.

G. NBI & Postal ID

NBI Clearance: Apply or renew with your new address; online application typically allows editing the address field. Bring proof if asked on site.
Postal ID (PHLPost): Treated like a new card or data update—submit application with proofs of identity and address; photo and biometrics may be recaptured.

H. Special IDs (PWD, Senior Citizen, Solo Parent, Indigenous Peoples, etc.)

These are LGU-issued. Coordinate with your old and new LGUs: many require surrendering/invalidating the old ID and reapplying in the new locality, accompanied by a Barangay Certificate of Residency.

V. Residency Certificates & Related Affidavits

A. Barangay Residency Certificate

Primary local proof. Ask the barangay to reflect the full address, the date you commenced residence (if known), and the purpose (“for government records update,” “for bank compliance,” etc.).

B. Affidavit of Change of Address

Useful when your name isn’t on the lease/utility bill.
Executed before a notary public; state your former address, current address, and date of actual transfer. Attach supporting papers (lease, authorization from owner, barangay certificate).
Some agencies accept this as secondary proof when paired with barangay certification.

C. Authorization/Undertaking from Homeowner

If you are a boarder or living with relatives, secure a notarized authorization plus a copy of the lessor/owner’s ID and a utility bill for the property.

VI. Typical Change-of-Address Workflow (Master Checklist)

Secure Proofs of Address
- Lease/authorization + owner’s ID
- Utility bill (if in your name)
- Barangay Certificate of Residency
Update Foundational Records
- PhilSys (PhilID) – request update for address
- COMELEC – file transfer/change of address (observe registration window)
- BIR – Form 1905; transfer RDO if needed
Update Social/Benefit Agencies
- SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, GSIS via online portals or local offices
Update Licenses & Clearances
- LTO driver’s license and vehicle records
- NBI renewal with new address; Police Clearance if needed
- Postal ID data update/new card if you use it as address ID
Update Profession/Travel IDs (if applicable)
- PRC profile
- DFA Passport (no reissue needed solely for address)
Update Local Records
- Business permits, DTI/SEC certificates (for business owners)
- LGU real property tax mailing address (if you own property)
Notify Private Institutions
- Banks, insurers, schools, employers, HMO, courier accounts, and digital wallets (to prevent KYC issues and delivery problems)

VII. Special Situations

1) Moving Within the Same Barangay / Same City

Often the barangay certificate plus agency form is enough.
For BIR, you may not need an RDO transfer if still the same city RDO; check your RDO assignment.

2) Moving to a Different City/Municipality

Expect COMELEC transfer and possibly BIR RDO transfer.
LGU-issued IDs/benefits (PWD, Senior, Solo Parent) generally require reapplication in the new LGU.

3) Moving to/From NCR vs. Province

Same rules, but NCR addresses often rely on district (e.g., Quezon City districts). Ensure the full address format used by utilities and LGUs.

4) Boarders, Bedspacers, Shared Units

If utility bills are not in your name, use a notarized authorization from the unit owner/lessee + a copy of their ID + the bill, and secure a barangay certificate indicating you reside at that address.

5) Government Employees

Update records with HR, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and the agency’s payroll unit; some agencies sync addresses from HRIS to GSIS.

6) Overseas Moves and Returning Residents

COMELEC Overseas voters must file transfer back to local precinct if you’ve returned to reside in the Philippines.
For foreign nationals residing in the Philippines, address changes must be reported to BI for ACR I-Card records under immigration regulations.

VIII. Evidence, Timelines, and Good Practice

Update promptly. Some agencies require updates “immediately” or within a reasonable period after moving; for licenses and voter records, don’t wait near election or renewal periods.
Keep copies of everything (receipts, claim stubs, stamped forms).
Consistency matters. Discrepancies across IDs can cause KYC failures, delayed transactions, or compliance flags.
Bring multiple IDs and at least two proofs of address; requirements vary by counter and office.
Digital portals (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, COMELEC apps when active, LTO portal where enabled) can significantly shorten processing.

IX. Risks, Infractions, and Remedies

False statements in sworn affidavits or government forms may constitute perjury or falsification under the Revised Penal Code. Always tell the truth and use genuine proofs.
Election law: Wrong precinct due to outdated address may bar you from voting or subject the record to challenge; update early in the registration cycle.
Tax administration: Wrong RDO or mailing address can cause missed notices. File BIR Form 1905 to correct your TIN record and RDO assignment.
Licensing/traffic: LTO records are used for official notices; mismatched addresses can complicate adjudication or mail service.

If you discover an error after submission, promptly file a Correction/Amendment with the same agency, referencing your previous transaction number and attaching corrected proofs.

X. Concise Agency-by-Agency Quick Guide

Agency/Document	What to Do	Core Form/Channel	Bring
Barangay Residency Certificate	Apply at your barangay hall with new address	Barangay issuance	Valid ID; proof of address
COMELEC (Voter)	Transfer / change of address	Local COMELEC Office (observe registration schedules)	Valid ID; proof of address; biometrics
PhilSys (PhilID)	Update address record	PhilSys Registration Center / enabled online	PhilID; proof of address
BIR (TIN)	Update address / transfer RDO	Form 1905 at old/new RDO	Valid ID; proof of address
SSS	Update member record	My.SSS / Member Data Change	Proof of address; valid ID
PhilHealth	Update MDR	PMRF / online	Valid ID; proof of address
Pag-IBIG	Update member info	MCIF / Virtual Pag-IBIG	Valid ID; proof of address
GSIS	Update member info	eGSISMO / GSIS office	Valid ID; proofs per GSIS
LTO (License/CR)	Change of records/address	LTO Office / portal where available	License/CR; proof of address
NBI	New clearance with new address	Online application + onsite	Valid ID; proof if asked
Postal ID	Update/reissue with new address	PHLPost capture site	IDs; proof of address
PRC	Update profile address	LERIS online	Valid ID
Police Clearance	Clearance reflecting new address	PNP/LGU clearance center	Barangay cert; valid ID
CTC (Cedula)	Obtain with new address	LGU Treasurer’s Office	Valid ID; basic info

XI. Model Affidavit of Change of Address (Short Form)

Affidavit of Change of Address I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, [civil status], with government ID no. [ID Type & No.], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

That my previous residential address was [Full Old Address];

That on [Date of Move], I transferred residence to [Full New Address];

That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and for the purpose of updating my records with government agencies and private institutions; IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] in [city/municipality], Philippines. [Signature over printed name] SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this [date] at [city/municipality], affiant exhibiting [ID details]. Notary Public

(Attach: Barangay Certificate of Residency; lease/authorization; utility bill.)

XII. Practical Timeline (Example)

Week 1

Move in; gather lease/authorization and utility bill.
Get Barangay Residency Certificate; obtain Police Clearance if you anticipate needing it.
PhilSys update; BIR Form 1905 (start RDO transfer if applicable).

Week 2

Update SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG/GSIS.
LTO change of records (license/CR).
NBI (if you need a fresh clearance); Postal ID reissue if you use it for banking.

Next Registration Window

COMELEC transfer/change of address well before cut-offs.

XIII. FAQs

Q: Do I need to reissue every ID? No. Some IDs (e.g., passport, often PRC) don’t display addresses; updating the system record is sufficient. Others (Postal ID, some LGU IDs) require reissuance to reflect the new address on the card.

Q: My name isn’t on any bill. What now? Secure a notarized authorization from the owner/primary lessee plus their ID and a copy of the bill, and get a Barangay Certificate of Residency. Pair documents where stronger proof is required.

Q: I moved just before an election. Can I vote in my new city? You must meet the residency period (generally 6 months in the city/municipality and 1 year in the Philippines as of election day) and file the transfer within COMELEC’s registration period.

Q: Is there a penalty for not updating? Beyond potential administrative inconvenience, certain contexts (e.g., sworn forms, voter records, traffic adjudication, regulatory mail service) can create legal or procedural issues if your address is outdated or false.

Final Notes

Keep a personal “address update dossier” (PDF scans of proofs and receipts).
When uncertain about a particular agency’s current checklist, bring extra proofs and be ready to execute an Affidavit of Change of Address.
For businesses or professionals, remember to align business permits, DTI/SEC, BIR, and LGU entries to the new address to avoid compliance gaps.

With these steps and documents, you’ll have a clear, legally sound path to updating your address across Philippine government IDs and residency certificates.