How to Correct Your Name in COMELEC Voter Registration (Philippines)

This guide explains what you can correct, the legal bases, where and when to file, requirements, step-by-step procedure, timelines, and special cases for fixing your name in the list of voters and in your COMELEC registration record. It is written for ordinary voters and practitioners who need a single, practical reference.

At a glance: Name fixes are generally free, done in person at your local Office of the Election Officer (OEO) using the COMELEC application form (tick “Change of Name/Correction of Entries”). Your request will be acted on by the Election Registration Board (ERB) in its quarterly meetings. Bring a valid ID and primary civil registry proof (PSA birth/marriage certificate or court order), depending on the change.

1) What counts as a “name correction” vs. a “name change”?

A. Corrections of entries (clerical/typographical):

Misspellings (e.g., Dela Cruz vs De la Cruz), wrong or missing middle name, swapped given names, wrong suffix (Jr., III), wrong spacing/hyphenation.
Usually supported by PSA birth certificate and at least one government-issued ID.

B. Change of name (substantive):

Marriage: adopting your spouse’s surname, or reverting to maiden surname after annulment, legal separation (if legally permitted), or death of spouse.
Court-ordered change of name (Rule 103/108 proceedings) or administrative change/correction under RA 9048/RA 10172 (e.g., change of first name; clerical sex/day-month of birth errors) already reflected in the civil registry.
Supported by PSA marriage certificate, court decision & certificate of finality, or approved RA 9048/10172 petition from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR)/PSA.

Note: COMELEC records should mirror your legal name in the civil registry. If the error is in your PSA record, fix the PSA first (via RA 9048/10172 or court), then update COMELEC.

2) Legal framework (in plain English)

RA 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996): establishes continuing registration and quarterly ERB approval of applications (registration, transfer, reactivation, change/correction of entries). No registration operations 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election.
COMELEC Resolutions on continuing registration (issued per cycle): implement procedures and forms (the CEF-1 application, with a box for “Change of Name/Correction of Entries”).
RA 9048 & RA 10172: allow certain civil registry changes/corrections without court order (e.g., clerical errors, change of first name, day/month of birth, clerical sex entry). COMELEC relies on these to validate the legal name.

3) Where to file

Domestic voters: Your Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the city/municipality where you are registered.
If you moved and also need to transfer precinct, file a transfer + correction at the OEO of your new residence (one visit can cover both).
Overseas voters (OFWs/immigrants): File at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or MECO/authorized post handling overseas voting where you are registered (or at your local OEO when you’re home).

4) When to file

Any time during continuing registration, except during the no-registration period:
- Regular elections: registration activities are suspended 120 days before election day.
- Special elections: suspended 90 days before.
Applications are batched and decided in ERB meetings, typically quarterly (commonly in January, April, July, October each year).

5) Documentary requirements (bring originals + photocopies)

Core:

One valid, government-issued ID with photo, signature, and preferably address (e.g., PhilID, passport, driver’s license, UMID, PRC ID, etc.).
PSA Birth Certificate (for most spelling/middle name/suffix issues).

Plus, depending on the change:

Marriage: PSA Marriage Certificate.
Reverting to maiden name: court decree (annulment/nullity/legal separation, if applicable) + certificate of finality, or PSA Death Certificate of spouse (if widowed).
Court-ordered/RA 9048/10172 change:
- Court decision + certificate of finality, or
- Approved LCR/PSA petition (annotation shown on your PSA certificate).
Common clerical discrepancies: you may also bring additional IDs, baptismal/ school records, or an Affidavit of Discrepancy if advised by the OEO (practice can vary—PSA record is the anchor).

Tip: Names with particles (De, Del, Dela, De la), hyphens (e.g., Santos-Reyes), or compound given names (Juan Paolo) should match across your PSA and IDs. Bring documents that show the standard/consistent spelling you want on the list of voters.

6) Step-by-step procedure (standard OEO flow)

Prepare your documents (see above).
Visit the OEO (or overseas post). Some localities offer satellite registration days—watch your LGU/COMELEC announcements.
Fill out the COMELEC application form (CEF-1) and tick “Change of Name/Correction of Entries.”
Submit documents for screening.
Biometrics capture (photo, fingerprints, signature) if required by your OEO (helps ensure your digital record is consistent).
Receive your acknowledgment/claim stub (keep this).
Posting & ERB action: Your application is posted for public inspection; the ERB decides in its next quarterly meeting.
After approval:
- Your precinct list and voter’s record will reflect the corrected name for the next eligible election.
- If you need proof, request a Voter’s Certification at the OEO (small fee may apply; bring 1–2 IDs and your claim stub if asked).

Fees: The application itself is free. Voter’s Certification carries a nominal fee set by COMELEC (confirm current rate with your OEO).

7) Processing time & follow-through

Filing at the OEO: usually same-day completion (queueing varies).
Decision: at the next ERB meeting (quarterly). If you filed very near an ERB date, it may roll to the following quarter.
Effectivity: once approved, the corrected name appears in the Book of Voters/precinct list and in COMELEC’s database used for election day verification.
Check your status: After the ERB cycle, you may:
- Revisit the OEO for confirmation, or
- Use COMELEC’s online precinct/status tools (when available) to verify your particulars before election day.

8) Special situations & practical tips

Married women: You are not required to take your spouse’s surname. If you choose to, ensure your PSA marriage certificate and IDs support the format you want on COMELEC records. Reverting to your maiden surname generally needs the proper civil registry basis (court decree/finality or PSA annotation).
Middle name vs. middle initial: COMELEC records typically capture the full middle name (mother’s maiden surname). Correct it if only an initial appears and you can show complete proof.
Suffixes (Jr., II, III): Ensure they are correct; suffixes help distinguish father/son voters and avoid precinct-day confusion.
Nicknames/Aliases: COMELEC uses legal names only; nicknames won’t appear on the list of voters.
Trans/Name affirmation: Philippine civil registry law does not currently allow changing the sex entry except for clerical errors (RA 10172). Name changes for gender affirmation require valid civil registry basis (e.g., court-ordered name change). COMELEC can reflect your legal name once your PSA shows it.
Overseas voters: You may process name changes/corrections at the Post where you’re registered. Bring your passport, PSA documents, and any court/LCR approvals.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs)/Seniors/Pregnant voters: You may request assistance/priority at the OEO. Some OEOs conduct off-site or accessible registration—watch local notices.
Changed residence too? If your name is wrong and you moved, file Transfer + Correction together to avoid multiple visits.
Close to an election? Remember the 120-day (regular) / 90-day (special) cut-off for registration operations; file early to be safe for the upcoming polls.

9) Common mistakes to avoid

Fixing COMELEC before PSA: If your PSA is wrong, COMELEC will likely require you to correct PSA first.
Inconsistent spellings across IDs: Bring multiple IDs that show the same spelling you want reflected.
Waiting until the blackout period: File well before the 120/90-day suspension.
Assuming marriage forces a surname change: It doesn’t; it’s your choice.
Forgetting ERB timing: Your application isn’t “instant”—it’s approved in quarterly batches.

10) Frequently asked questions

Is there an online way to correct my name? You may prepare forms using COMELEC’s online pre-application tools when available, but final filing is in person at the OEO/Post with your original documents.

Will I get a new voter ID card? COMELEC has stopped printing voter ID cards. If you need proof of registration, request a Voter’s Certification from the OEO.

What if my name is correct but my birthdate/sex is wrong? Those are separate “correction of entries” matters. If the error is clerical, fix it first at the LCR/PSA under RA 10172, then have COMELEC reflect the corrected details.

Can someone file for me? Generally no; you must appear personally (biometrics, oath). Exceptions for special outreach or accessibility setups are at COMELEC’s discretion.

11) Quick checklist (print/bring)

Government-issued ID (with photo/signature; address if possible)
PSA Birth Certificate (for clerical name issues)
PSA Marriage Certificate / Court decree + finality / RA 9048/10172 approval (as applicable)
Photocopies of all documents
Acknowledgment/claim stub after filing (keep it)

Final notes

Procedures are uniform nationwide but local practices (e.g., additional supporting docs, satellite schedules) can vary. When in doubt, call or visit your OEO ahead of time to confirm office hours and any locality-specific instructions. This article is informational and not a substitute for legal advice or official COMELEC issuances.