How to Get a Copy of Your Voter’s Certification or Voter’s ID from COMELEC in the Philippines

The Voter’s Identification Card (commonly called Voter’s ID) and the Voter’s Certification are two distinct official documents issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) that prove a person is a registered voter in the Philippines. Both are governed primarily by Republic Act No. 8189 (The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996), as amended by R.A. No. 10367 (Biometrics Validation Act), and various COMELEC resolutions, particularly those regulating the issuance of voter records and the replacement of lost or damaged voter IDs.

Voter’s ID (Physical PVC Card) vs. Voter’s Certification

Feature	Voter’s ID (PVC Card)	Voter’s Certification
Form	Plastic card with photo, fingerprint, signature	Paper document with COMELEC dry seal & signature
Primary purpose	Valid government-issued photo ID	Proof of voter registration (no photo)
Validity as ID for transactions	Accepted almost everywhere (banks, passports, etc.)	Accepted only where “proof of registration” is required
Issuance time	Often delayed (months to years due to batch printing)	Issued on the spot (5–15 minutes)
Cost (as of 2025)	Replacement: ₱150.00 (lost/damaged)	₱75.00
Legal basis for issuance	R.A. 8189 & COMELEC Res. No. 10066, as amended	COMELEC Resolution No. 10743 (2022) and standard procedure

In practice, because of the long delay in the release of the physical Voter’s ID cards (many registrants since 2016 have never received theirs), the Voter’s Certification has become the most commonly used document for proving voter status.

When You Need These Documents

1. Opening bank accounts
2. Applying for or renewing Philippine passport (DFA requirement)
3. NBI clearance, police clearance, postal ID
4. Job applications (especially government positions)
5. GSIS/SSS transactions requiring proof of Filipino citizenship/registration
6. Loan applications
7. Barangay clearances or indigent certifications in some LGUs
8. Any transaction that explicitly requires “COMELEC Voter’s Certification” or “Voter’s ID”

How to Get a Voter’s Certification (Most Common and Fastest Method)

Step-by-Step Procedure (In-Person – Same-Day Issuance)

1. Go to the COMELEC Office in the city or municipality where you are currently registered.

   • This is the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) located either in the city/municipal hall or in a separate COMELEC building.
   • You must go to the place of your registration, not your current residence (unless you have already transferred).

2. Proceed to the Voter’s Certification window/counter (usually labeled “Voter’s Cert” or “Records Section”).

3. Inform the staff that you are requesting a Voter’s Certification.

4. Fill out the simple request slip (they will provide it). It only asks for:

   • Full name
   • Date of birth
   • Mother’s maiden name
   • Address

5. Present at least one (1) valid government-issued ID with photo and signature. Acceptable IDs:

   • Philippine National ID (PhilSys)
   • Driver’s license
   • Passport
   • SSS/GSIS UMID
   • Senior Citizen ID
   • PWD ID
   • Company ID (if government or well-known)
   • Old Voter’s ID (even if damaged)

6. Pay the certification fee of ₱75.00 at the cashier (Official Receipt will be issued).

7. Wait 5–15 minutes. The Election Officer or authorized personnel will print the certification on COMELEC security paper, affix the dry seal, and sign it.

8. Receive your Voter’s Certification. It will contain:

   • Your full name
   • Precinct number
   • Barangay, municipality/city, province
   • Registration date
   • Status (Active/Inactive)
   • Signature of the Election Officer and dry seal

Important Notes on Voter’s Certification

• It is valid indefinitely unless your registration is deactivated or transferred.
• If your status is “Inactive” (failed to vote in two successive regular elections), you must first file for reactivation before a certification can be issued.
• The certification is accepted by DFA, banks, NBI, and most government agencies as proof of registration even without photo.
• Some agencies (e.g., certain banks) may still insist on a photo ID; in such cases you must present the certification together with another photo ID.

How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Voter’s ID (PVC Card)

The physical Voter’s ID card is printed only in batches by COMELEC central office, so replacement can take months or even years.

Procedure for Replacement of Lost/Damaged Voter’s ID

1. Go to the same COMELEC city/municipal office where you are registered.

2. Proceed to the ERB (Election Registration Board) section or the designated window for “Replacement of Lost/Damaged Voter’s ID.”

3. Accomplish COMELEC-ERO Form No. 1 (Application for Replacement of Lost/Damaged Voter’s ID).

4. Execute an Affidavit of Loss/Damage (blank form is provided by COMELEC; notarization is no longer required since COMELEC Res. No. 10743).

5. Submit two (2) copies of 1×1 or 2×2 ID pictures (white background, formal attire, no eyeglasses, no smiling – same specs as passport).

6. Present one valid ID.

7. Pay ₱150.00 (lost or damaged card).

8. Your biometrics (photo, fingerprint, signature) will be captured again.

9. You will be given an Acknowledgment Receipt stub.

10. Wait for SMS notification from COMELEC when the card is ready for release (this can take 6 months to 2 years depending on the printing schedule).

Reality Check (2025)

COMELEC has a massive backlog. Millions of registrants from 2015–2025 have never received their Voter’s ID cards. The Commission periodically announces mass release schedules, but delays are common. For urgent needs, always get the Voter’s Certification instead.

Special Cases

Inactive Voters

If you did not vote in the 2019 and 2022 national elections (or any two successive regular elections), your name is deactivated.
Procedure: File for reactivation at your local COMELEC office (free, same-day biometrics capture). Once reactivated, you can immediately request a Voter’s Certification.

Transferred Registration

After approval of transfer (via Register Anywhere Program or regular transfer), wait for COMELEC to update the database (usually 1–3 months) before requesting certification in the new locality.

Overseas Filipino Voters (OFWs/Immigrants)

Voter’s Certification can be requested at any Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has a COMELEC satellite office, or through mail request with notarized application (very slow). Most OFWs simply use their old Voter’s ID or certification obtained before leaving.

Deceased or Cancelled Registration

No certification will be issued. Relatives must surrender the Voter’s ID for punching/cancellation.

Fees Summary (as of November 2025 – based on latest COMELEC resolutions)

Service	Fee
Voter’s Certification	₱75.00
Replacement of lost/damaged Voter’s ID	₱150.00
Reactivation of record	Free
Correction of entries (with court order)	₱100.00
Certification for court cases or legal purposes (authenticated)	₱200.00+

Legal Tips

1. The Voter’s Certification is the fastest and most practical solution in 2025.
2. Always bring extra photocopies of your ID and ₱100–₱200 cash (some offices do not accept GCash).
3. COMELEC offices are usually open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
4. Avoid fixers; the process is simple and does not require agents.
5. If a government agency or bank refuses to accept the Voter’s Certification, politely ask for the written policy or legal basis; in practice, almost all agencies accept it when accompanied by another photo ID.

By following the procedures above, any registered Filipino voter can obtain proof of registration within minutes (certification) or, with more patience, a replacement physical Voter’s ID card. The Voter’s Certification remains the most reliable and immediately available document for all transactions requiring proof of being a registered voter in the Philippines.