How to Correct a Misspelled First Name on a Philippine Birth Certificate (RA 9048)

How to Correct the Father’s Name on a Philippine Birth Certificate (RA 9048)

A practical, step-by-step guide for fixing misspellings and other minor errors in the father’s name on a PSA birth certificate—plus what to do when the issue is not minor.


Quick overview

  • Governing law: Republic Act No. 9048 (Clerical Error Law), as amended by RA 10172 (for certain sex and birth-date corrections).

  • What RA 9048 covers: Administrative (non-court) corrections of clerical or typographical errors in civil registry entries, and change of first name/nickname.

  • What it does not cover: Corrections that change nationality, age, or status (e.g., legitimacy) or otherwise alter filiation. Those generally require a court petition (Rule 108, Rules of Court).

  • Bottom line for father’s name:

    • If it’s a simple, obvious error (misspelling, transposed letters, wrong/extra middle initial, missing/incorrect suffix like Jr./Sr.), use RA 9048.
    • If you’re replacing/adding a different father, or the correction would affect who the father is, RA 9048 does not apply—you’ll need other remedies (see “When RA 9048 does not apply” below).

When RA 9048 applies to the father’s name

Examples of acceptable “clerical/typographical” issues

  • “Jaoquin” → “Joaquin”; “Cristopher” → “Christopher”
  • “Juan A. Dela Cruz” → “Juan B. Dela Cruz” (middle initial typo)
  • “Pedro Santos Jr.” → “Pedro Santos II” (obviously mis-entered suffix, where supporting records consistently show “II”)
  • Letters transposed or missing due to typewriting/encoding errors

Key test: The mistake must be visible to the eyes, obvious, and non-controversial—fixable by documents, not by testimony about paternity.


When RA 9048 does not apply (and what to do instead)

  • No father on record / adding a father for an illegitimate child → This is not an RA 9048 correction. Use RA 9255 (use of the father’s surname for an illegitimate child) with the father’s acknowledgment (Affidavit of Admission of Paternity and AUSF), or pursue a court action to establish paternity if the father won’t or can’t acknowledge.
  • Changing the father to a different person (e.g., “wrong father was recorded”) → This affects filiation/status → usually needs a Rule 108 court petition; DNA evidence may be relevant.
  • Legitimation issues (parents later marry) → That’s a separate legitimation process, not an RA 9048 correction.
  • Disputes over the “correct” version of the name (records inconsistent and the change isn’t plainly clerical) → often judicial.

Who may file the RA 9048 petition

  • The owner of the birth record (the child; if a minor, via parent/guardian); or
  • A person with direct and personal interest (e.g., parent, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents), or a duly authorized representative.

Tip: If the father is alive and cooperative, it’s helpful (though not always mandatory) for him to join or execute supporting affidavits.


Where to file

  • Local Civil Registrar (LCR) of the place of birth; or
  • LCR of your current residence (they’ll endorse to the LCR where the record is kept); or
  • If abroad / record registered through a consulate: the Philippine Consulate with civil registry services.

Documentary requirements (typical)

Bring originals and photocopies. Exact lists vary by LCR, but for father’s name corrections you should expect:

  1. PSA birth certificate (SECPA copy) of the child subject of correction.

  2. Accomplished RA 9048 Petition (form from LCR/consulate), verified and usually notarized.

  3. Proof of the correct father’s name (provide multiple, consistent records):

    • Father’s PSA birth certificate (ideally the newest annotated copy if the father’s own name was corrected previously)
    • Father’s government IDs (passport, driver’s license, SSS/GSIS, PRC, voter’s certification, PhilHealth, etc.)
    • Other public/private documents: school or employment records, NBI/police clearance, baptismal or church records, medical or insurance records, bank records, land titles, etc.
  4. Parents’ PSA marriage certificate (if the child is legitimate).

  5. Child’s supporting records that mention the father (baptismal certificate, school records, medical records), if available.

  6. Affidavit of Discrepancy/Explanation describing how the error happened (e.g., typist’s error, wrong middle initial pulled from ID, etc.).

  7. Valid IDs of the petitioner and, if any, Special Power of Attorney for a representative.

  8. Payment of fees (see below).

Tip: LCRs usually want at least 2–3 consistent documents showing the father’s name spelled exactly the way you’re asking it to appear.


Procedure and timeline (what to expect)

  1. Pre-assessment at the LCR.

    • Bring your documents; the civil registrar checks if the case is RA 9048-eligible.
  2. File the verified petition and pay the fees.

  3. Posting (not newspaper publication for clerical errors).

    • The petition is posted in a conspicuous place in the LCR for 10 consecutive days to allow any oppositor to come forward.
  4. Evaluation and decision by the LCR.

    • After posting and evaluation of your evidence, the City/Municipal Civil Registrar issues a decision approving or denying the petition.
  5. Transmittal to the Civil Registrar General (PSA) for affirmation.

    • The LCR’s decision is sent to the PSA-OCRG. Once affirmed, the LCR/PSA will annotate the birth record.
  6. Get your updated PSA copy.

    • After annotation and database updates, request a new PSA birth certificate showing the margin annotation reflecting the correction.

How long? It varies by office and workload. A purely clerical case can still take weeks to a few months end-to-end (posting, decision, PSA affirmation, database update, release of annotated SECPA).


Fees (typical/indicative)

  • RA 9048 clerical/typographical correction: LCR-assessed fee (commonly around ₱1,000 for local filings), plus documentary and certification fees.
  • Filing abroad (consulate): higher consular fees apply.
  • Notarial and copy fees are separate.

Amounts and practices differ by city/municipality or post. Always follow your LCR/consulate’s current schedule of fees.


The decision: approval, denial, and remedies

  • If approved: Wait for PSA affirmation and annotation, then request a new PSA-SECPA copy.

  • If denied at LCR or disapproved at PSA:

    • You may re-file with stronger documents, appeal/seek reconsideration per administrative rules, or
    • Proceed with a Rule 108 court petition if the issue is beyond RA 9048 (e.g., identity of the father, not just spelling).

Special situations & practical tips

  • Father’s own records were corrected first.

    • Use the father’s annotated PSA birth certificate as your primary proof, and align the child’s record via RA 9048.
  • Foreign father.

    • Submit passport and birth certificate of the father. If the document is foreign-issued, provide an official English translation and apostille (or consular legalization, as applicable).
  • Suffixes (Jr., Sr., II, III).

    • If the suffix error is plainly clerical, RA 9048 can address it. If the change implies a different lineage (not a simple typo), expect stricter scrutiny—may require court.
  • Wrong middle name of the father vs. child’s middle name.

    • Father’s middle name typo can be fixed under RA 9048 if clerical.
    • Child’s middle name rules depend on legitimacy and other laws; that may be a separate correction and, in some cases, not RA 9048.
  • No father listed / adding one later (illegitimate child).

    • Use RA 9255 (AAP + AUSF) if the father acknowledges. If not, consult counsel on paternity/Rule 108 options.
  • Name appears differently across documents.

    • Submit a consistent set favoring primary government records; add an Affidavit of Discrepancy explaining why other documents differ.

Checklist you can bring to the LCR

  • PSA birth certificate (child)
  • Draft RA 9048 Petition (ask the LCR for their form)
  • Father’s PSA birth certificate (latest; annotated if corrected)
  • Father’s government IDs (2–3)
  • Parents’ PSA marriage certificate (if legitimate)
  • Child’s baptismal/school/medical records naming the father (any 1–2)
  • Affidavit of Discrepancy (brief, factual)
  • Valid IDs of petitioner and SPA if represented
  • Money for fees / notarization

Sample skeleton: Petition under RA 9048 (for a father’s name typo)

Title: Petition for Correction of Clerical or Typographical Error in the Entry of the Father’s Name in the Certificate of Live Birth of [Child’s Name] under RA 9048 Petitioner: [Name, age, citizenship, civil status, address; relation to child] Record details: Child’s name; date/place of birth; registry number; father’s name as currently entered; proposed correct entry Grounds: Briefly state the nature of the error (e.g., typographical transposition) and that the change will not affect status, nationality, or age Supporting documents: Enumerate attached documents (PSA certs, IDs, records) Prayer: Approve the correction and direct annotation of the record Verification & jurat: Signed and sworn before a notary/public officer

(Use your LCR’s official form; the above is just a guide so you can prepare.)


Frequently asked questions

1) Do I need newspaper publication? Not for clerical/typographical corrections. The petition is posted at the LCR for 10 days. (Publication applies to change of first name/nickname.)

2) Will this change my child’s surname? No. Correcting the father’s name is different from changing the child’s surname. For an illegitimate child to use the father’s surname, see RA 9255 (separate process).

3) Do I need the father’s presence? Not always, but it’s helpful. If the father is unavailable, provide strong documentary proof of the correct spelling. If the issue implicates filiation, RA 9048 won’t apply.

4) Can I correct both the father’s name and another entry at once? Often, yes—if both are RA 9048-type clerical errors. Each entry will be evaluated and may have separate fees.

5) Can this be done if we live abroad? Yes—file through a Philippine Consulate handling civil registry. Expect different consular fees and longer transmittal times.


Practical strategy

  1. Diagnose: Is the issue purely clerical? If yes → RA 9048. If no/uncertain → get counsel; you may need RA 9255 or Rule 108.
  2. Consolidate: Gather consistent IDs/records for the father showing the exact spelling you want.
  3. Coordinate: Visit the LCR for pre-assessment; use their official form and follow their checklist.
  4. Complete: File, post (10 days), await LCR decision, PSA affirmation, then request a new PSA copy.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Procedures and fees can vary by LCR/consulate, and practices evolve. For complicated cases (identity disputes, no acknowledgment by the father, or mixed issues with legitimacy/surnames), consult a Philippine lawyer or your LCR’s legal officer for case-specific guidance.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.