Overview

A Voter’s Certificate is an official document issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) that states your full name, address, date of birth, precinct number, and registration status (active/deactivated, place of registration). It replaces the long-discontinued voter’s ID card as the practical proof that you are a registered voter. Government offices, courts, banks, and employers sometimes ask for it to verify identity or residence, to meet documentary requirements for licenses, employment, or legal proceedings.

It is not an ID card and does not confer the right to vote (your right flows from valid registration). Agencies decide how recent the certificate must be (many accept certificates issued within the last 6 months).

Where to Request

Your local COMELEC Office of the Election Officer (OEO)
- Go to the city/municipal OEO where you are registered. Many OEOs print the certificate same day if your record is in their database.
COMELEC Main Office (Intramuros, Manila) – National Central File
- Can usually issue certificates for any locality because it keeps the centralized voter database. Useful if you are far from your place of registration or your OEO can’t locate your record.
For overseas registrants (OFOV)
- Contact the Philippine embassy/consulate where you registered (or the COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting) for their procedure to issue/attest a registration certificate. Requirements mirror the domestic process, but timelines vary by post.

Some OEOs run appointment queues; others accept walk-ins. Bring a photocopy of your ID just in case.

Who May Request

You (the voter), in person.
A representative may claim on your behalf with a signed authorization letter (or SPA, if the OEO so requires) plus photocopies of both your ID and the representative’s government ID.
Third parties (employers, lawyers) generally cannot obtain your certificate without your written authority due to data-privacy rules.

Basic Requirements

One valid government-issued photo ID showing your name (and preferably your address or birthdate). Commonly accepted:
- Philippine Passport, UMID, Driver’s License, PhilID (National ID), SSS/GSIS, PRC, Postal ID, PhilHealth ID, Senior Citizen ID, PWD ID.
- If your current name differs from the name in the voter record (e.g., marriage), bring supporting proof (e.g., PSA marriage certificate).
Details to help locate your record
- Your full name, date/place of birth, exact registered address, and, if known, your precinct number or last election you voted in.
Payment
- Standard issuance fee is commonly ₱75 (local offices may have minor variations). Official receipt will be issued.
- Fee waiver for First-Time Jobseekers: If you qualify under R.A. 11261 (with a Barangay Certification as a first-time jobseeker and no prior use of the benefit), COMELEC issues one Voter’s Certificate free of charge.

No photos or biometrics are taken for the certificate itself; it’s a printout derived from your registration record.

Step-by-Step (Local OEO / Main Office)

Go to the OEO or Main Office window for certifications and ask for a Voter’s Certification.
Fill out the request slip (name, birthdate, registered address; indicate if you need it for employment, court, etc.).
Present your valid ID (and authorization documents if by representative).
Pay the fee (unless exempt as a first-time jobseeker with barangay certificate).
Wait for verification/printing. If your record is found and clean, printing is usually same day (often 15–45 minutes depending on queues).
Receive and check the certificate: spelling of your name, birthdate, address, precinct number, status (ACTIVE/DEACTIVATED), city/municipality, and the signature and dry seal of the Election Officer or authorized signatory.

Processing Time & Validity

Processing: Typically same day when your record is readily available. If the record needs to be pulled from archives or reconciled (e.g., recent transfer/reactivation), allow 1–7 working days.
Validity: No fixed statutory validity; accepting agencies set the “freshness” requirement (common practice: within 6 months of use). Obtain a recent certificate for time-sensitive transactions.

What If There’s a Problem with Your Record?

“No record found” or mismatched data
- Re-check your name spelling (include middle name), birthdate, and exact registered address.
- If still not found, the OEO will advise the proper remedy: reactivation (if deactivated for failure to vote), correction of entries, transfer of registration, or new registration (during the next registration period).
Status shows DEACTIVATED
- You can still get a certificate, but it will show DEACTIVATED. If you want to vote again, file reactivation (often allowed even outside general registration windows during specific periods).
Name change (marriage/annulment)
- Your certificate prints what is in the voter database. File a Correction of Entries to update your record for future issuances.

Using a Representative

Your representative should bring:

Signed authorization letter from you (or SPA if the OEO requires it), stating the purpose and authorizing release of your Voter’s Certificate.
Photocopy of your valid ID and original ID of the representative.
Some offices may require your signature specimen on their request form as an extra check.

Sample one-paragraph authorization

I, [Your Full Name], authorize [Representative’s Full Name] to request and receive my Voter’s Certificate from COMELEC. Attached are copies of my ID and [Representative]’s ID. This authorization is valid for this transaction only. [Date/Signature]

Typical Uses

Government transactions (e.g., licensing, permits, social services)
Court filings (as proof of identity/residence)
Employment onboarding (especially where a recent government certification is required)
Bank/compliance KYC (some institutions accept it as secondary ID/proof of address)
Local scholarship or aid applications

(Always check the exact document your receiving agency wants; sometimes a Barangay Certificate of Residency or Cedula is required in addition to the Voter’s Certificate.)

Practical Tips & FAQs

Do I need to be an “active” voter to get the certificate? No. COMELEC can issue the certificate showing your current status (ACTIVE/DEACTIVATED). The receiving office decides if deactivated status is acceptable.

Can I get it outside my city of registration?

Main Office can usually issue nationwide.
Some local OEOs print for their jurisdiction only; if you are out-of-town, either go to Main Office or coordinate with your OEO first.

Is an appointment required? Varies by office. Many accept walk-ins; others implement appointment/queuing windows. Going early in the day helps.

What if my name is misspelled on the certificate? Ask the staff to reprint if the database entry is correct but the printout had a typo. If the database itself is wrong, file a Correction of Entries.

Is the Voter’s Certificate the same as a Voter’s ID? No. COMELEC stopped producing the old voter’s ID cards; the certificate is the standard proof of registration now.

Can minors or non-citizens get one? No. Only registered Filipino voters have records. If you’re newly naturalized or just turned 18, register first during the next registration period.

How many copies can I request? Generally as many as you need (each copy has a fee unless you qualify for a waiver).

Checklist (Bring These)

Valid government ID (original + photocopy)
Cash for the ₱75 fee (unless fee-exempt as a first-time jobseeker with barangay certification)
Any supporting document for name differences (e.g., marriage certificate)
If using a representative: authorization letter/SPA + both IDs (original for rep; copy of yours)

Bottom Line

Getting a Voter’s Certificate is straightforward: go to your OEO or COMELEC Main Office, bring a valid ID, pay the fee (or use the first-time jobseeker waiver), and you’ll typically receive a same-day printout showing your registration details and status. If your record can’t be found or shows errors, the OEO will guide you to reactivate, correct, or transfer your registration so future certificates reflect accurate information.