In the Philippines, a Voter’s Certificate (officially called Certificate of Registration as a Voter or simply “Voter’s Certification”) is an official document issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) certifying that a person is a registered voter in a particular precinct. It is often required for various purposes such as employment (especially government positions), scholarship applications, postal ID application, court cases, and other transactions requiring proof of voter registration.
When a voter’s registration record is deactivated, the person is no longer in the active List of Voters. A deactivated voter cannot vote unless the registration is reactivated. Common reasons for deactivation under the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881), Republic Act No. 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996), and COMELEC Resolution No. 10724 (2022 General Instructions for ERB Hearings) include:
- Failure to vote in two (2) successive regular elections (national and local, including barangay elections after 2013);
- Court order of exclusion or cancellation;
- Death (automatically deactivated upon report);
- Loss of Filipino citizenship;
- Judicial declaration of insanity or incompetence;
- Registration cancelled by the Election Registration Board (ERB) after due process for double/multiple registration.
Can a deactivated voter still get a Voter’s Certificate?
No. While the registration remains deactivated, COMELEC will not issue a regular Voter’s Certification stating that the person is a registered voter, because the person is no longer considered a registered voter in the active list.
What COMELEC can issue instead is a Certification stating the status of the voter’s record, which will explicitly say that the registration is deactivated and will indicate the reason (e.g., “Deactivated for failure to vote in two successive regular elections”).
Many institutions (especially private companies) mistakenly accept this “deactivation certification” as a substitute, but strictly speaking, it is not a Voter’s Certificate.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Reactivate Deactivated Registration and Obtain a Valid Voter’s Certificate
Verify the status of your registration
- Go to the COMELEC website: https://irehistro.comelec.gov.ph/cef1 (Precinct Finder / Voter Verification)
- Enter your full name and birthdate.
- If deactivated, it will show “Deactivated” and the reason.
Personally file an Application for Reactivation
- Where to file: Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the city/municipality where you are registered (not necessarily where you now reside).
- When: Any time (no specific registration period needed for reactivation). However, COMELEC usually suspends processing 120–150 days before an election.
- Requirements:
- Accomplished Application for Reactivation Form (CEF-1B, downloadable or available at the OEO)
- Valid government-issued ID (at least one with photo and signature)
- Personal appearance is mandatory (biometrics will be recaptured)
- No fee
Hearing before the Election Registration Board (ERB)
- The Election Officer will post the list of reactivation applicants for 5 days.
- ERB hearing is held (usually quick if no opposition).
- If approved, your status becomes “ACTIVE” again and biometrics are updated.
Receive your Voter’s Certification
- After ERB approval, you may request the Election Officer to issue the Voter’s Certification (COMELEC Form No. VC-01 or similar).
- Processing time: usually same day or within a few days.
- Fee: Free (as of 2025, COMELEC does not charge for the first copy; some local treasurers previously charged ₱75, but this was discontinued by COMELEC Memorandum 2017).
Special Cases
| Situation | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Deactivated for failure to vote in two successive elections | Simple reactivation (most common and fastest) |
| Deactivated because of court order (exclusion) | Must first file a petition to lift the order at the RTC where the ERB decision was made |
| Deactivated due to double registration | Must file petition for correction/reinstatement with notice to the other registration record |
| Name appears in the List of Deceased but you are alive | File sworn application to correct the entry; bring birth certificate and two witnesses |
| Transferred residence after deactivation | Reactivate first in the old city/municipality, then immediately file for transfer of registration to the new one |
Important Reminders
- Reactivation does not automatically restore your old precinct if barangay boundaries have changed or if you have moved. You may need to file for transfer afterward.
- The reactivation process is free nationwide.
- You cannot vote in the immediate upcoming election if reactivation is done inside the prohibited period (usually 120 days before election day).
- A deactivated voter who does not reactivate remains permanently excluded unless action is taken.
Summary Table: What Document You Can Get
| Current Status | Document COMELEC Can Issue |
|---|---|
| Active registration | Voter’s Certification (proof you are a registered voter) |
| Deactivated registration | Certification of Deactivation (states reason for deactivation) |
| After successful reactivation | New Voter’s Certification (valid and acceptable) |
By personally appearing at your local COMELEC Office of the Election Officer and filing for reactivation, a deactivated voter can restore active status and obtain a genuine Voter’s Certificate usually within the same week (outside election-period restrictions). This is the only legal and permanent solution under Philippine election laws.