How to Correct Your SSS Personal Data: Removing an Incorrect Suffix (Philippines)

If your Social Security System (SSS) record shows a suffix you don’t legally have—like “Jr.”, “Sr.”, “II”, “III”—you should fix it as soon as possible. A wrong suffix can cause mismatches when you claim benefits, apply for loans, get a UMID card, or link SSS to your bank and other agencies (PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, LTO, DFA, BIR).

Below is a practical, legally grounded guide to removing an incorrect suffix from your SSS record—what it means, when SSS can correct it, what to file, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Key takeaways (read this first)

SSS corrects its own database; it does not change your civil registry. If your PSA birth record is wrong, fix the PSA record first (via the Local Civil Registrar/PSA procedures), then update SSS.
To remove a suffix in SSS, you generally file a Member Data Change Request (MDCR / Form E-4) with proof of your true legal name (usually a PSA Birth Certificate). Discrepancies across your IDs are addressed with supporting documents (e.g., affidavit of discrepancy) as needed.
Record update is free. If your UMID card is already wrong, card replacement is a separate process and typically has a fee.
Expect SSS to require originals for inspection and photocopies for submission. If filing through a representative or from abroad, prepare an SPA, IDs, and copies of your documents.

What a “suffix” is (and why it matters)

A suffix (e.g., Jr., Sr., II, III) is part of a person’s name that distinguishes individuals with the same first, middle, and last names. In the Philippines, the suffix—if present—appears on the Certificate of Live Birth and becomes part of your legal name. If SSS includes a suffix you don’t legally have, or omits one you do, your identity may not match across agencies, causing claim or verification delays.

When SSS will remove a suffix

SSS will correct its records when you show that the suffix on file is not part of your legal name. Typical scenarios:

Data-entry/encoding error: A suffix was added during registration even though your PSA birth record has none.
Legacy/ID mismatch: Some IDs show a suffix but your PSA birth record does not (or vice versa).
Civil registry already corrected: You have completed a civil registry correction (e.g., via RA 9048/10172 procedures) and now need SSS to mirror the change.

Rule of thumb: SSS follows your PSA birth certificate (and PSA-issued marriage certificate for married name issues). If PSA says no suffix, SSS should remove it.

The right order: fix PSA first (if needed)

If your PSA birth certificate is correct (no suffix), go straight to SSS.
If your PSA birth certificate is wrong (shows a suffix you don’t use, or misses a suffix you legally bear), correct the civil registry first through your Local Civil Registrar/PSA. After that, take the corrected PSA document to SSS.

Requirements checklist

Bring originals for verification and photocopies for submission. SSS may accept or ask for additional documents based on your case; prepare more rather than less.

Primary proof of legal name (bring at least one, often required):

PSA Birth Certificate (or Report of Birth if born abroad)
Passport (Philippine)
Valid government ID that reflects your correct name (if available)

Supporting documents (as applicable):

PSA Marriage Certificate (if you also changed surname due to marriage)
Affidavit of Discrepancy / Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons (when IDs conflict with PSA)
Court Order / Civil Registry correction documents (if you underwent a legal change/correction)
Old SSS printout/registration form or UMID (to show what SSS currently has)
School records/employment records and other IDs (to help establish usage history—useful in borderline cases)

If filing via representative or from abroad:

Special Power of Attorney (SPA) authorizing the representative
Valid IDs of both the member and the representative

Tip: Even if your passport or UMID still shows the wrong suffix, PSA Birth Certificate usually controls. If your UMID is wrong, you’ll update SSS first, then request UMID replacement.

The form you’ll file

Member Data Change Request (MDCR / Form E-4)
- Tick the item for Name and specify the correction to remove the suffix.
- In the “From” (or “Present Data”) box, write the name with the suffix.
- In the “To” (or “Correct Data”) box, write the name without the suffix—exactly as in your PSA.
- Attach your documents (see checklist above).

Sample wording (for the “Remarks/Details” field)

“Request to remove incorrect suffix ‘Jr.’. Correct legal name per PSA Birth Certificate: JUAN BORJA DELA CRUZ (no suffix).”

Where and how to file

Option A — At an SSS Branch

Fill out MDCR (E-4).
Present originals and submit photocopies.
Get the receiving copy/stub with date and reference/control number.

Option B — Online via My.SSS (if available for your case)

SSS allows certain data changes online, but name/suffix corrections typically require document review. Some members can upload scans; others are routed to branch submission. Prepare for in-person verification if prompted.

Option C — Through a Representative / Abroad

Submit via authorized representative with an SPA and IDs, or at an SSS Foreign Office (if accessible). Expect the same documentation standards.

After SSS updates your record

UMID card: If already issued with the wrong suffix, apply for UMID replacement after the database is corrected (standard replacement fee applies; bring the corrected name proof).
Employers & contributions: Once SSS updates your name, past contributions remain under your SS number. If you have multiple SS numbers due to name issues, ask SSS for records consolidation/merging so all contributions post to the one valid SS number.
Other agencies & banks: Update your PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, BIR, bank records so everything aligns with your corrected SSS and PSA details.

Special situations

Minor member (below 18): A parent/guardian may file, bringing the child’s PSA birth certificate, the parent/guardian’s valid ID, and proof of guardianship if not a parent.
Adoption / legitimation / recognition: Follow civil registry procedures first, then bring the PSA-updated record to SSS.
Court-ordered name changes: Submit the final court order and the annotated PSA record showing the change.
Duplicate SS numbers: If a wrong suffix caused a second SS number, request merging/consolidation with supporting identity documents.

Practical tips to avoid delays

Match PSA exactly. Spellings, spaces, hyphens, and suffixes should follow your PSA record to the letter.
Bring extra photocopies and have a digital scan of key documents for any online upload.
Affidavits help when various IDs conflict; they don’t override PSA but smooth the paper trail.
Update early—especially before filing loans/benefits or scheduling UMID capture.

Frequently asked questions

1) Is removing a suffix from SSS the same as changing my legal name? No. You’re only correcting SSS’s record to reflect your legal name. Your legal name is determined by your civil registry (PSA).

2) What if my PSA record shows the suffix, but I don’t use it? SSS will follow PSA. If you want to drop the suffix legally, you must pursue a civil registry correction first. After PSA updates, you update SSS.

3) Will SSS charge for the data correction? Record updates are generally free. UMID re-issuance due to name correction has a replacement fee.

4) Do I need to change my SSS number? No. The SS number stays the same. You’re correcting the name linked to it.

5) Do I need a lawyer? Not usually, for SSS updates. But if your PSA record needs correction and it is not a simple clerical error, legal assistance can help navigate civil registry or court procedures.

Simple, reusable affidavit template (if SSS asks for it)

Affidavit of Discrepancy I, [Your Full Name], of legal age, Filipino, with address at [Address], under oath, state:

My legal name per PSA Birth Certificate is [Name without suffix].

My SSS record/ID shows [Name with suffix], which is incorrect.

The discrepancy arose from [e.g., data entry error / legacy ID format].

I execute this affidavit to attest to the correctness of my name and to request the removal of the suffix from my SSS record. Affiant: ____________________ (ID Type & No., Date/Place Issued) Jurat: Subscribed and sworn to before me…

(Have it notarized. Some branches accept joint affidavits by two disinterested persons—bring both signatories’ IDs.)

One-page action plan

Check PSA Birth Certificate. If wrong, fix PSA first.
Prepare MDCR (E-4) + PSA Birth Certificate + valid ID(s); add affidavit if your other IDs conflict.
File at SSS (branch or as instructed via My.SSS).
After approval, replace UMID (if needed) and update other agencies/banks.
Resolve any duplicate SS numbers by requesting consolidation.

Final note

Processes and accepted documents can vary by branch and may be updated over time. The guidance above reflects standard Philippine practice: PSA controls your legal name; SSS mirrors PSA upon proof. If you hit an unusual snag (e.g., rare civil status or foreign records), bring more identity proofs and consider brief legal advice to speed things up.