Changing a minor child’s first name in the Philippines is often misunderstood as a simple clerical task. In reality, it is a legal process governed strictly by Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 10172.

Because a name involves public interest and identity, the State ensures that changes are not made on a whim. Here is a comprehensive guide to the legal framework, requirements, and procedures involved.

1. The Legal Basis: Administrative vs. Judicial

Historically, all name changes required a court order. However, under current laws, most first-name changes are handled administratively through the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) without needing a judge.

When can you change a first name?

Under R.A. 9048, a petition for a change of first name may be granted under the following grounds:

The name is ridiculous, tainted with dishonor, or extremely difficult to write or pronounce.
The new first name has been habitually and continuously used by the petitioner, and they have been publicly known by that name in the community.
The change will avoid confusion.

2. Who May File the Petition?

Since the subject is a minor, the child cannot file the petition alone. The parents (either the father or the mother) or the legal guardian must file the petition on the child's behalf.

The petition is filed at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where the child’s birth was registered. If the child was born abroad, the petition is filed with the Philippine Consulate where the birth was reported.

3. Mandatory Requirements

To support the petition, the following documents are generally required:

Primary Documents

Certified True Copy of the Birth Certificate: Issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Affidavit of Publication: A notice of the petition must be published in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks.
Clearances: Since the petition involves a minor, clearances are usually required to prove the change isn't being used to evade legal obligations. These include:
NBI Clearance
Police Clearance
Employer Clearance (if the minor is of working age) or School Records/Clearance.

Supporting Evidence (The "Habitual Use" Rule)

If the ground is "habitual use," you must provide at least two public or private documents showing the child has been using the requested name, such as:

Baptismal Certificate
School Records (Form 137 or Report Cards)
Medical Records
Immunization Cards

4. The Step-by-Step Process

Preparation: Gather all supporting documents and have the petition notarized.
Filing and Payment: Submit the petition to the LCR and pay the filing fee (standardized at ₱3,000.00, though some municipalities may have additional administrative costs).
Posting and Publication: The LCR will post the petition in a public place for ten consecutive days. You must also fulfill the newspaper publication requirement.
LCR Decision: The City or Municipal Civil Registrar will evaluate the petition. They have the discretion to approve or deny it.
Affirmation by the Civil Registrar General (CRG): If the LCR approves, the records are transmitted to the PSA in Manila for "impugning" or affirmation. The change is not final until the CRG affirms the decision.
Issuance of Amended Birth Certificate: Once affirmed, you can request a new PSA Birth Certificate where the new name is reflected (usually via an annotation).

5. Important Limitations

What cannot be changed via this process?

Surnames: Changing a child’s last name (e.g., from the mother's to the father's) is a different process under R.A. 9255 or via a judicial petition for "Change of Name."
Middle Names: Generally, middle names cannot be changed through this administrative process.
Substantial Changes: If the change involves the child’s legitimacy or parentage, a court order is required.

Correction of Clerical Errors vs. Change of Name

If the name is merely misspelled (e.g., "Jonh" instead of "John"), this is a Clerical Error under the same law, which is cheaper and does not require newspaper publication. If you are changing the name entirely (e.g., "Mary" to "Catherine"), it is a Change of Name.

Summary Table

Feature	Change of First Name	Clerical Error Correction
Legal Basis	R.A. 9048	R.A. 9048 / R.A. 10172
Publication	Required (2 weeks)	Not required
Filing Fee	₱3,000.00	₱1,000.00
Final Authority	PSA (Manila)	PSA (Manila)

Note: Legal procedures in the Philippines can be subject to local circulars issued by the PSA. It is always advisable to visit the specific LCR where the birth was registered to get a localized checklist of requirements.

Would you like me to draft a sample Affidavit of Habitual Use to show how the justification for a name change is typically worded?