Petition for Change of Name at the PSA Main Office
A comprehensive guide for Filipinos seeking to correct or alter their civil-registry name through the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
1. Legal Foundations
| Instrument | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Republic Act (R.A.) 9048 (2001) | Introduced the administrative remedy for (a) correcting clerical/typographical errors, and (b) changing a person’s first name or nickname (from “Maria” to “Marie,” etc.) without going to court. |
| R.A. 10172 (2012) | Expanded R.A. 9048 to cover correction of the day and/or month of birth and the sex/gender entry if the error is patently clerical or typographical. |
| Civil Code, Arts. 376-377 & Rule 103, Rules of Court | Still govern judicial changes of surname (e.g., from “Dela Cruz” to “Cruz”), adoption of a completely new name, or any change that is substantial and not allowed under R.A. 9048/10172. |
| Rule 108, Rules of Court | Judicial correction or cancellation of substantial civil-registry entries when an administrative remedy is unavailable. |
| Civil Registry Law (Act No. 3753) & PSA/OCRG circulars | Implementing regulations on filing, fees, and documentary proof. |
Key takeaway: Only clerical corrections, first-name changes, and 10172 matters can be done administratively before the PSA. Everything else still needs the courts.
2. Who May File
- The owner of the record (if at least 18).
- Parents or legal guardians of a minor.
- Legal representatives with a special power of attorney (SPA).
3. Where to File
| Filing Venue | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of: - The city/municipality where the birth was recorded, or - The petitioner’s place of residence. | Default venue; petition is transmitted to PSA after local posting. |
| PSA Office of the Civil Registrar General (OCRG), East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City | 1. Petitioner resides abroad and prefers to file by mail/through a representative. 2. Record is archived only at PSA (e.g., war-loss towns, dissolved LCROs). 3. Petitioner opts for direct filing to shorten internal transmittals. |
Even if you start at the LCRO, the final approval always comes from the PSA through the Civil Registrar General (CRG) or his/her authorized signatory.
4. Grounds Allowed Under R.A. 9048 & 10172
For change of first name or nickname (Sec. 4, R.A. 9048):
- The name is ridiculous, tainted with dishonor, or extremely difficult to write/pronounce.
- The petitioner has habitually used another first name and has been publicly known by it.
- Change will avoid confusion, e.g., two children in the family named “Juan.”
For clerical/typographical errors: obvious mistakes—misspelled names, transposed letters, “M” printed as “N,” etc.
For errors in sex or day/month of birth (R.A. 10172): error must be self-evident on the face of the record (e.g., “F” checked but “Male” written in words).
5. Documentary Requirements
| Core Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Petition (PSA Form CRG-RA 9048 or RA 10172) | Notarized; three copies. |
| Certified true copy of the Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) | Issued by PSA within the last six months. |
| Public/Private documents showing consistent use of the desired name: school records, employment files, IDs, bank statements, Baptismal certificate, marriage certificate, SSS/GSIS records, etc. | |
| NBI and police clearances | To prove absence of any criminal record intended to be concealed by the name change. |
| Affidavit of publication & newspaper clippings | After the petition is published (see § 7). |
| Other supporting affidavits | E.g., of two disinterested persons attesting to long-time use of the preferred name. |
| Proof of filing fee payment | Original receipt. |
| For petitioners abroad: special power of attorney, copy of passport/ID of petitioner and attorney-in-fact. |
PSA evaluators may demand additional documents when the record is doubtful (e.g., CENOMAR to rule out bigamy, school Form 137, barangay certifications).
6. Step-by-Step Procedure at the PSA Main Office
Secure the PSA Petition Form (ground floor, OCRG front desk or downloadable).
Fill out the form completely; attach documentary evidence.
Presence before the Petition Receiving Officer for (a) documentary check, (b) determination of prima-facie grounds, and (c) computation of fees.
Pay the filing fee at PSA Cashier:
- ➔ ₱3,000 for change of first name (RA 9048).
- ➔ ₱1,000 for correction of clerical error.
- ➔ ₱3,000 for correction of sex/day/month under RA 10172. (Add ₱1,000 if the petition originated from abroad or filed through the Philippine embassy/consulate.)
Petition posting & publication (30 days):
- PSA posts a notice in a conspicuous place.
- For first-name change and RA 10172 petitions, one full-week publication in a newspaper of general circulation is mandatory.
Evaluation & decision by the CRG/authorized official. Processing time is 3–6 months if unopposed.
Approval / Denial:
- Approved: Annotations are affixed on the security paper (SECPA) copy of the birth certificate; petitioners may then request an annotated PSA copy.
- Denied: A written order states the grounds. Petitioner may (a) file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days, or (b) elevate via Rule 43 petition for review to the Court of Appeals.
Tip: Follow up every 60 days. Bring your receipt and valid ID when claiming the annotated certificate.
7. Publication, Posting & Opposition Window
| Action | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Posting at PSA bulletin board | 10 consecutive days immediately after filing. |
| Newspaper publication (if required) | Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks; affidavit + newspaper pages submitted within 15 days after last publication date. |
| Opposition period | Any interested person may file a verified opposition within 15 days from the last date of posting or publication, whichever is later. |
8. Fees, Surcharges & Miscellaneous Costs (2025 Schedule)
| Item | Amount (₱) |
|---|---|
| Petition filing fee (see § 6) | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Endorsement to LCRO (if needed) | 500 |
| Newspaper publication (Metro Manila) | 4,000 – 6,000 |
| Certified copies, each | 155 |
| Annotation service fee (per page) | 200 |
| Courier delivery (domestic) | 200 – 400 |
9. Difference Between Administrative and Judicial Routes
| Aspect | Admin (R.A. 9048/10172) | Judicial (Rule 103/108) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | First-name change; clerical errors; sex/day/month (clerical) | Change of surname; legitimation; adoption of entirely new name; nationality; birth year; errors not clerical. |
| Cost | Cheaper (₱5k–10k total) | Higher (₱20k–60k+ incl. lawyer’s fees) |
| Duration | 3–6 months typical | 6–18 months |
| Counsel | Not required | Mandatory for corporations; strongly advised for individuals |
| Publication | 2 weeks (first-name or 10172) | 3 consecutive weeks (Rule 103) or as court directs |
| Venue | LCRO or PSA-OCRG | RTC of province/city where petitioner resides |
10. Typical Pitfalls & Practical Tips
- Insufficient evidence of habitual use. Supply at least five documents spanning years.
- Conflict with other civil records (marriage, children’s birth certificates). Update all affected records after approval.
- Pending criminal/civil cases. Clear or disclose them; NBI hits stall petitions.
- Illegible or torn original civil-registry book. Request negative certification plus certified machine copy, or file motion to examine the registrar’s copy.
- Unpublished petitions. The CRG will summarily deny; comply strictly with publication rules.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I change my surname through PSA too?
No. Changing a surname is a substantial alteration covered by Rule 103 and must be decided by a Regional Trial Court, unless the change flows from adoption, legitimation, or acknowledgement, in which case the court/administrative order of adoption or legitimation is the operative act.
Q2: I was born abroad but recorded with PSA through Report of Birth. Where do I file?
You may file directly with the Philippine embassy/consulate that originally recorded your birth or with the PSA-OCRG in Manila.
Q3: Will the new first name appear on my passport automatically?
No. After you receive the annotated PSA birth certificate, apply for passport re-issuance at the Department of Foreign Affairs, submitting the annotated SECPA as proof.
Q4: Can I expedite the process?
Aside from following up and ensuring complete documents, there is no official “rush” lane. Avoid fixers; they expose you to fraud and penalties (Art. 174, RPC on falsification).
12. Jurisprudence Snapshot
| Case | G.R. No. | Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| Republic v. Cagandahan (2008) | 166676 | Allowed correction of sex in birth certificate (intersex) judicially before RA 10172 existed. |
| Silverio v. Republic (2007) | 174689 | Denied change of sex and first name of a transgender woman; still good law for non-clerical sex change. |
| Republic v. Uy (2010) | 198010 | Reiterated that change of surname demands Rule 103 even after RA 9048. |
| Grande v. Republic (2007) | 164772 | Habitual use of another first name must be substantiated; bare assertions insufficient. |
13. Timeline at a Glance
graph LR
A[File Petition at PSA] --> B[10-day Posting]
B --> C[Newspaper Publication<br>(if applicable)]
C --> D[15-day Opposition Window]
D --> E[Evaluation & Review]
E --> F[CRG Decision<br>(3–6 months total)]
F --> G[Release of Annotated PSA Copy]14. Checklist Before You Go to PSA Main Office
- PSA Birth Certificate (SECPA) issued within last 6 months
- Filled-out, notarized Petition (RA 9048 / 10172 form)
- At least 5 supporting documents showing the desired name
- NBI + Police Clearances (both “No Derogatory Record”)
- Two IDs & photocopies
- Newspaper quotation or proof of coordination for later publication
- Cash for filing fee + photocopies
- Black ball-pen and envelope for receipts
15. Conclusion
Filing a Petition for Change of Name directly at the PSA Main Office in Quezon City is a streamlined, purely administrative route for specific, limited changes: first names, obvious clerical mistakes, and certain sex or birth-date errors. Mastery of the governing statutes (R.A. 9048/10172), strict observance of posting and publication requirements, and the production of rock-solid documentary proof are the pillars of a successful petition. For anything more substantial—especially a change of surname—Philippine law still mandates a judicial proceeding under Rule 103 or Rule 108. By preparing the right papers, budgeting realistically, and understanding the procedural rhythm, you can cut months of delay and secure an official name that truly reflects your identity.