How to Get a Voter’s Certification from COMELEC (Philippines)

What this document is—and isn’t

A Voter’s Certification is an official COMELEC document that states your registration details (name, address, precinct, registration status, and the city/municipality where you are registered). It is often required by government agencies, courts, banks, employers, and schools to prove that you are a registered voter.

It is not a Voter’s ID card. COMELEC discontinued printing the old Voter’s ID; the certification is the usual substitute when proof of registration is needed.

Legal character and uses

Nature: A Voter’s Certification is a public document issued by a public officer in the performance of official duty. As such, it enjoys a presumption of regularity and is admissible to prove the facts it states.
Data source: Information is drawn from COMELEC’s Voter Registration System (VRS/VRIS), which is the official registry under the Omnibus Election Code and subsequent COMELEC resolutions on voter registration and deactivation/reactivation.
Privacy: Issuance is subject to the Data Privacy Act of 2012; only your own record (or that of a person you’re duly authorized to represent) may be released.
Typical purposes: government transactions (e.g., LGU services, licensing), employment onboarding, academic requirements, litigation/affidavits, and other instances where proof of voter registration is requested.

Who may request

The voter themself.
An authorized representative (see “If someone else will claim it” below).
Heirs/legal representatives in specific legal matters upon proof of authority.

Where to request

Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the city/municipality where you are registered is the default and fastest venue.
COMELEC Main Office (Intramuros, Manila) also issues certifications that cover any locality, but processing volume may be heavier.
Special cases: If your record is archived or the local database is under maintenance, the OEO may route the request through provincial or central servers; processing time can vary.

Requirements

Prepare the following before you go to the OEO:

One valid government-issued ID with photo and signature (e.g., PhilID/PhilSys, driver’s license, passport, UMID, SSS, PRC, postal, senior citizen, PWD ID).
Payment for the certification fee. Many offices accept cash only.
Details to help locate your record (helpful but not mandatory): former address, precinct number (if you know it), maiden name, and the exact city/municipality and barangay where you last registered or voted.
If your record might be deactivated (e.g., failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections), bring any proof of recent transactions with COMELEC (reactivation/transfer receipt) if you have it.

Fee and exemptions

Typical fee is ₱75 per copy (local offices may post the exact amount on their counters).
Exemptions/waivers:
- First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261): one-time fee waiver upon presentation of a barangay-issued First Time Jobseeker Certification (valid for 1 year from issuance and forfeited upon first use).
- Some LGUs or COMELEC offices do not charge seniors, PWDs, solo parents, or indigent applicants as a matter of local policy; ask the cashier/receiving officer.

Step-by-step procedure (standard, walk-in)

Proceed to the OEO for the city/municipality where you are registered. Go during business hours on working days (government schedule).
Fill out the request slip for Voter’s Certification. Provide your full name, birthdate, current/registration address, and any former names.
Present your ID and, if applicable, your fee waiver document.
Record search and verification. The election assistant will locate your record in the VRIS/VRS, verify your identity, and confirm your registration status (active, deactivated, pending, transferred, etc.).
Payment of the fee (unless exempt).
Printing and signing. The certification is printed on COMELEC security paper and signed by the Election Officer (or authorized signatory).
Release. Many OEOs release same day once your record is found; others may advise you to return (e.g., if the signatory is out or if the server is offline).

Tip: If you recently filed a transfer, reactivation, or change of name/address, allow time for the database to update before requesting the certification, or bring your acknowledgment receipt.

If someone else will claim it for you

An authorized representative should bring:

Signed Authorization Letter from the voter (or a Special Power of Attorney if the agency requiring the document demands it).
Representative’s valid ID (original + photocopy).
Photocopy of the voter’s ID document.
Fee or waiver documents if applicable.

Sample authorization wording (you may copy and fill in details):

I, [Name of Voter], of legal age, authorize [Name of Representative] to request and receive from COMELEC a Voter’s Certification on my behalf. This authorization is valid for this transaction only.

[Signature of Voter] · [Date] · [ID Type & No.]

What the certification contains

Full name and birthdate
Address and place of registration (city/municipality, province, region)
Precinct number/cluster and polling center (if available)
Registration status (e.g., active)
Date of issuance, official seal, and signature of the Election Officer

Because it is a public document issued in the performance of duty, it does not need notarization. If you must use it abroad, you may ask the receiving authority whether Apostille authentication (via DFA) is required.

Common issues—and how to address them

1) “Record not found.”

Verify the exact LGU where you registered.
Consider former names or spelling variants.
If you transferred or reactivated recently, the update may not have synced; return after synchronization or bring your acknowledgment stub.

2) “Deactivated status.”

Deactivation is common after failing to vote in two consecutive regular elections or after certain database cleanups.
You must reactivate (often by biometrics revalidation or by filing the appropriate application) before a certification showing “active” status can be issued.

3) Mismatched name/birthdate.

Request a correction of entries at the OEO with supporting civil registry documents (PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate for married surname, etc.). Processing of corrections is separate from certification issuance.

4) Using the cert for time-sensitive filings (e.g., job or school deadlines).

Go to the OEO where you are registered for faster release.
Bring a second ID and exact personal details to speed up the search.
Arrive early; some offices have cut-off for same-day signing.

5) I registered in a different city years ago.

Certifications are issued by the OEO of the place of registration. If you now live elsewhere and haven’t transferred your record, either travel to that OEO or process a transfer of registration (which takes effect after approval).

Validity and reusability

There is no statutory fixed “expiry” for a Voter’s Certification, but agencies commonly require a document issued within the last 3–6 months. If in doubt, obtain a fresh copy to avoid rejection.

Good practices and practical notes

Name consistency: Use the same full name format you used when you registered (e.g., with or without middle name).
Keep a clear photocopy of the certification for your files; many agencies require you to submit the original and keep a copy.
Check the seal and signature before leaving the OEO. Unsigned certifications may be rejected.
Ask about fee waivers if you qualify (e.g., RA 11261 for first-time jobseekers).
Don’t laminate the certification; some offices will not accept laminated public documents.

FAQs

Is a Voter’s Certification the same as a Voter’s ID? No. COMELEC halted the old Voter’s ID card project. The certification serves as proof of registration.

Can I request it in a city where I currently live but am not registered? Ordinarily, no—request it from the OEO where you are registered. The main office can issue nationwide, but that can take longer due to volume.

How long does it take? If your record is readily available and the signatory is present, many OEOs release the same day. Otherwise, expect to return once signed or when systems are online.

Can I get multiple copies? Yes. Each copy is usually charged separately unless you have an applicable waiver.

May a lawyer or relative get it for me? Yes, with a signed authorization (or SPA if the recipient agency insists).

What if the certification will be submitted abroad? Confirm if the recipient requires Apostille. If yes, present the certification to DFA for authentication.

Quick checklist

Go to the OEO where you are registered
Bring one valid ID (plus a photocopy, just in case)
Bring fee (or RA 11261 waiver document)
Know your exact registration city/municipality and barangay
If represented, bring authorization + IDs
Before leaving: check name spelling, status, signature, and seal

This article is intended as practical legal guidance in the Philippine setting. Local office practices and fees may vary; always heed posted notices at the COMELEC office where you file your request.