How to Get a Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification in the Philippines

Executive Summary

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) no longer produces the laminated Voter’s ID card. Production was discontinued years ago and has not resumed. The operative document today is the Voter’s Certification, an official COMELEC document that states whether a person is registered, where they are registered, and their precinct details. This article explains the legal basis, eligibility, documentary requirements, fees, step-by-step procedures (local and overseas), special cases, and practical tips.

Legal Framework

1987 Constitution, Art. IX-C – Creates COMELEC and vests it with authority over registration of voters and the administration of elections.
Republic Act No. 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996) – Governs the system of continuing registration; provides for activation/deactivation of voter records, transfer, correction of entries, and issuance of certifications.
Republic Act No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) – Imposes standards on processing time, feedback, and queueing; agencies (including COMELEC) are expected to post Citizen’s Charters and adhere to service timelines.
Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012) – Protects personal data in the voter database; affects who can request certifications and what proofs/authorizations are needed.
COMELEC Resolutions/Minute Resolutions – Operationalizes forms, fees, and procedures for issuing voter certifications, correcting entries, transfers, deactivation/reactivation, etc. (The specific resolution numbers change over time; always follow the latest local office guidance posted at the Office of the Election Officer, “OEO”.)

Bottom line: COMELEC has statutory authority to issue Voter’s Certifications. The old Voter’s ID is defunct; lost or undelivered cards are not reprinted.

What Is a Voter’s Certification?

An official printout on COMELEC security paper signed by authorized officials that typically contains:

Full name, date of birth, and address
Registration status (active/deactivated/cancelled)
City/municipality and barangay of registration
Precinct number / clustered precinct
Date of issuance and reference/barcode or control number

Uses: Proof of voter registration (e.g., for local government services, school requirements, some bank/gov’t transactions that accept it as supporting ID), and to identify your precinct information during elections. Acceptance as a primary ID varies by institution; treat it as a status/record certificate, not a universal ID.

Validity: No statutory expiration, but agencies often require a recently issued certificate (e.g., issued within the last 6 or 12 months).

Who May Apply

The registered voter whose record is requested.
A representative with proper authorization from the voter (see Representation section).
Parents/guardians for applicants who only need proof regarding minor records (rare after 18); note: only citizens 18 or older on election day can be active voters.
Overseas voters (see Overseas section) may obtain certification of their overseas registration.

You cannot obtain someone else’s record without authorization, except in cases allowed by law (e.g., law enforcement with proper process).

Eligibility & Record Status

Your record can be:

Active – You can vote; certification will show active status.
Deactivated – Common reasons:
- Failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections (national and local).
- Court order (e.g., due to criminal conviction with final judgment of imprisonment ≥1 year, or loss of citizenship).
- Other grounds under RA 8189.
Cancelled – Due to death, double/multiple registration, or loss of Filipino citizenship.

A certification can still be issued even if your status is deactivated or cancelled—but it will state that status. Many institutions will not accept such a certificate for identity purposes.

Where to Apply (Philippines)

Office of the Election Officer (OEO) with jurisdiction over your place of registration (city/municipality).
COMELEC Main (Intramuros, Manila) can issue certifications for any locality, subject to available records.
Satellite or off-site COMELEC booths (often in city halls, malls, or during special drives) may issue certifications; availability varies.

Tip: If you moved, your certification must still be requested from where your current voter record resides (the LGU where you are registered after any approved transfer).

Documentary Requirements

Bring originals and one photocopy (when possible):

One (1) valid government-issued photo ID that shows your full name, photo, and signature (e.g., PhilID/PhilSys, passport, UMID, driver’s license, PRC ID, postal ID, school ID for students with proof of citizenship/age).
Additional identity or civil status proofs if your record needs correction (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate for change of surname).
For representatives: Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA), plus photocopies of both the voter’s and representative’s valid IDs (see template below).

Fees

Standard fee: Commonly ₱75 per copy (subject to change by COMELEC’s schedule of fees or local posting).
Fee waivers/exemptions (case-by-case):
- First-time Jobseekers (RA 11261) – Government fees for certain documents may be waived upon presentation of a Barangay Certification that the applicant is a first-time jobseeker and has not previously availed of the waiver. Confirm locally if the Voter’s Certification is covered at your OEO.
- Priority lanes (not waivers) for Seniors, PWDs, Pregnant/Nursing Women, Solo Parents, etc., per CSC/ARTA and LGU policies.

Always check the OEO’s posted Citizen’s Charter for the current fee and processing time.

Step-by-Step: Obtaining a Voter’s Certification (Philippines)

Verify your registration details (optional but smart).
- Use COMELEC’s precinct finder or your last precinct stub to confirm where you are registered and your precinct number.
Go to the OEO of your place of registration (or COMELEC Main).
- Dress appropriately and bring required IDs; arrive early to secure a queue number.
Fill out the request form for a Voter’s Certification.
- Provide full name, date of birth, address, and (if known) precinct number.
Pay the fee at the cashier or as directed (keep the official receipt).
Identity verification and database search by COMELEC staff.
- If your record is in the local database, issuance is usually same day.
- If retrieval requires coordination with another office or database, you may be advised to return when ready.
Release of the certification.
- Inspect your name spelling, birth date, address, registration status, and precinct details before leaving.
- If there’s an error, immediately request correction of entries (may require separate process/requirements).

Representation Rules (If You Can’t Appear Personally)

If you cannot appear, a representative may file and/or claim the certification on your behalf, subject to the OEO’s rules:

Bring:

Authorization Letter or SPA (some OEOs prefer SPA; for simple pick-up/filing, a signed Authorization Letter often suffices).
Photocopy of the voter’s valid ID (front and back).
Representative’s original valid ID and photocopy.

Courts, law enforcement, or government agencies seeking data for official purposes should follow lawful processes and Data Privacy Act guidelines (e.g., subpoenas, formal requests).

Special Situations & Remedies

1) Deactivated for Failure to Vote

Under RA 8189, failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections leads to deactivation.
Remedy: Reactivation during the registration period by personal appearance at the OEO with a valid ID. If you have transferred residence, you may simultaneously apply for Transfer with Reactivation.

2) Wrong Spelling, Sex, Birthdate, or Address

Remedy: Correction of Entries (administrative) with supporting civil registry documents. Processing time and fees differ from certifications.

3) Transfer of Registration

Remedy: File a Transfer of Registration to your new city/municipality/district; bring proof of new address (e.g., utility bill, barangay certificate). Your precinct assignment will change after approval.

4) Double/Multiple Registrations

COMELEC will cancel one record. If you discover an issue, report it and comply with proceedings to retain the valid record.

5) Lost or Undelivered Old Voter’s ID

COMELEC does not reprint the old card. Obtain a Voter’s Certification instead.

6) Name Change (Marriage/Annulment)

Remedy: Correction/Update of Record (bring PSA/Local civil registrar documents). Until processed, your certification will reflect the name on record.

7) Persons with Disability (PWD) / Senior Citizens

Priority lanes are typically observed. You may request assisted service and reasonable accommodation.

Overseas Filipino Voters (OFV)

Registered Overseas Voters (registered through embassies/consulates or MECO/TECRO posts) may request a certification of their overseas voter registration.
Where:
- Through the embassy/consulate during overseas registration periods or by inquiry; or
- COMELEC–OFOV (Intramuros, Manila) if you are in the Philippines.
Requirements: Valid Philippine passport (or seafarer’s book, as applicable), and IDs. Representatives must present authorization and IDs.
Transfers: Moving your registration back to a Philippine locality or vice-versa must be filed within registration periods and may affect where and how your certification is issued.

Timing Considerations

Processing is often same day when your record is readily available at the OEO.
Complexities that may extend processing:
- Record retrieval from other offices/databases
- Ongoing correction/transfer cases
- Systems downtime or unusually heavy volume (e.g., near elections)

Plan ahead, especially if a third party (employer/bank) requires a recently issued certificate.

Practical Tips

Bring multiple IDs and photocopies to avoid delays.
If you recently transferred or reactivated, wait for the approval/encoding to reflect before requesting a certification.
For transactions that require “primary ID,” check first whether the requesting institution accepts a Voter’s Certification and whether it must be issued within a specific timeframe.
Keep a clear photo/scan of your certificate (front/back if applicable), but remember: many institutions will require the original.

Template: Simple Authorization Letter

Date: ____________

To: The Office of the Election Officer
City/Municipality of ____________________

I, [FULL NAME], of legal age, Filipino, and currently residing at [ADDRESS],
hereby authorize [REPRESENTATIVE’S FULL NAME], of legal age, Filipino, residing at
[REP ADDRESS], to request and/or claim on my behalf a COMELEC Voter’s Certification
covering my voter registration record.

Attached are photocopies of my valid ID and the representative’s valid ID.

Signed:

_____________________________
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[ID Type & Number]
Contact No.: _____________

Note: Some OEOs may require an SPA instead of a simple Authorization Letter, particularly if broader acts beyond filing/claiming are needed. When in doubt, prepare an SPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I still get a Voter’s ID? No. COMELEC has discontinued the old ID card. Obtain a Voter’s Certification instead.

2) Is the Voter’s Certification a valid ID? It’s an official COMELEC document proving registration/precinct details. Whether it counts as a primary ID is up to the receiving institution. Many accept it as supporting identification.

3) How much is it? Historically around ₱75 per copy, but always follow the fee posted by your OEO/COMELEC Main.

4) Can someone else claim it for me? Yes, with Authorization Letter/SPA and proper IDs.

5) My record is deactivated. Can I still get a certification? Yes, but it will show deactivated status. File for reactivation during the next registration period to restore your ability to vote.

6) I moved to another city. Where do I request? From the OEO where your current record resides. If your transfer is pending or not yet reflected, request from your last registered locality.

7) Can I rush the process? Processing depends on record availability and office workload. Arrive early; bring complete documents.

Quick Checklist

One valid government photo ID (+ photocopy)
Cash for fee (unless fee-exempt)
For representative: Authorization Letter/SPA + both IDs (originals & photocopies)
Any civil registry documents if requesting corrections/updates
Precinct info (if known) to speed up search

Final Notes

The Voter’s Certification is the current COMELEC-issued document proving voter registration and precinct information in lieu of the discontinued Voter’s ID.
Procedures and fees are operational matters that can be adjusted by COMELEC. Always comply with on-site instructions of the Office of the Election Officer where you apply.
Protect your personal data; only share copies with trusted institutions and keep your originals secure.