Procedure to Obtain a Replacement Voter’s ID (or Its Successor Certification) in the Philippines
(updated to reflect COMELEC practice up to May 29 2025)
1. Statutory and Regulatory Framework
| Instrument | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Republic Act 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996) | • Establishes the right to be issued a Voter’s Identification Card once the voter’s biometrics and registration are approved (secs. 25, 29). • Empowers the Election Registration Board (ERB) to act on applications for replacement of voter records, including lost or damaged ID cards. |
| COMELEC Resolutions (selected) | • Res. No. 10166 (2016) – first comprehensive rules on replacement IDs and voter certifications. • Minute Res. 17-0625 (July 2017) – suspended the printing of all Voter’s ID cards nationwide pending integration with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). • Res. Nos. 10549 (2019), 12110 (2024) – current guidelines for continuing registration; they keep the replacement-application window open even though only a Voter’s Certification is now issued. |
| Republic Act 11055 (PhilSys Act, 2018) | • Declares the PhilID as the primary government-issued proof of identity. • COMELEC’s voter database is one of the core registries feeding PhilSys, hence the permanent halt to ID-card production. |
2. Who May File for a Replacement?
- Lost or Stolen Card – The voter had already been issued a Voter’s ID (pre-2017) which is now lost.
- Mutilated/Damaged Card – ID is illegible or broken.
- Defective Print – Wrong spelling, smudged photo, or wrong precinct data.
- Change of Biographic Details – Court-approved change of name, correction of birth date, etc. (often processed together with replacement).
Important: Anyone who registered—or updated biometrics—after 2016 will never receive a physical ID card; the only proof now available is the Voter’s Certification issued on security paper.
3. Where and When to File
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the city/municipality where you are registered. Satellite or mall registration sites can accept but still route papers to the OEO. |
| Filing Period | Any “continuing registration” period (almost year-round, except: 90 days before a national election and 45 days before a barangay/SK election). |
| ERB Schedule | The local ERB meets every third Monday of the month; replacement applications are approved or denied there. |
4. Documentary Requirements
Form CEF-1A / VRR-Form – “Application for Replacement/Certification.” Obtain and fill at the OEO.
Affidavit of Loss (lost/stolen) or Affidavit of Mutilation (damaged). A notarized sworn statement is standard, but many OEOs accept an in-office affidavit (no notarization fee).
One Valid ID – Any government ID or PhilSys Number. If all IDs are lost, present the affidavit and answer identity-verification questions.
Previously Issued Voter’s ID (if mutilated) – surrender the damaged card.
Correction Documents (for data changes) – PSA-issued birth certificate, court order, marriage certificate, etc.
Payment:
- Voter’s Certification fee: ₱75 (per COMELEC Memo 2018-05).
- Fee exemptions: Senior citizens, PWDs, indigent voters, and first-time jobseekers (per RA 11261, the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act”) may request the certification free once.
5. Step-by-Step Procedure
Secure & Fill the Form.
Execute the Affidavit. If lost, do this on the same day inside the OEO or bring a notarized copy.
Submit to Front-Desk Clerk. Staff retrieve your digital record via the Voter Registration System (VRS).
Biometrics Scan (if needed). Fingerprint/photo signature capture only if your 2014-quality record is incomplete.
Receive Acknowledgment Stub. Shows ERB schedule and expected release date of certification.
ERB Decision. Your application is approved ipso facto unless the ERB finds evidence of double registration, pending court cases, etc.
Pay Certification Fee. After approval, proceed to the cashier; fee-exempt voters show proof of exemption.
Issuance of Voter’s Certification.
- Printed on security paper with dry seal, bearing QR code, photo, and signature.
- Processing time: Same day in most OEOs; next-day release in high-volume offices.
- Valid until suspended ID printing resumes (no definite date) or until the voter gets a PhilID.
Note: If you still demand a plastic Voter’s ID, COMELEC will accept and queue the request but will not give a release date because card production is frozen nationwide.
6. Special Situations
| Scenario | Additional Rules |
|---|---|
| Overseas Voters (OFOV) | File at the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate or during “field voting” missions; replacement certification is mailed or collected personally. No fee is charged (per DFA–COMELEC joint memo 2022-01). |
| Persons with Disabilities / Senior Citizens | Priority lanes; fee waived. May authorize a representative with SPA to file/claim. |
| Court-ordered Inclusion/Exclusion | If a court reinstates your record after deletion, the order itself substitutes for an affidavit of loss. |
7. Remedies if Denied
- File a Verified Motion for Reconsideration before the same ERB within 5 days of notice.
- Appeal to the COMELEC Division within 10 days from ERC denial (Rule 25, COMELEC Rules of Procedure).
- Petition for Certiorari to the Supreme Court on pure questions of law.
8. Transition to the National ID
- PhilSys PhilID (RA 11055) is now the primary proof of identity in government and private transactions.
- COMELEC, PSA, and DICT are working on data interoperability; once finished, the voter’s QR code will simply embed in the PhilID digital token.
- Practical tip: Apply for a PhilID to avoid re-applying for voter certifications in future transactions.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer (2025 context) |
|---|---|
| Is the certification accepted by banks or DFA? | Yes. Memorandum of Agreement 2021-DFA-COMELEC lists the voter’s certification as valid for passport and consular services. Most banks also accept it; bring the official receipt (O.R.) for added authenticity. |
| How long is the certification valid? | Indefinite, or until COMELEC resumes card printing or PhilID fully replaces it; no “expiry date” is printed. |
| Can I track printing of the plastic ID online? | No. Printing is suspended; tracking portals have been deactivated since 2018. |
| Do I need police blotter for lost card? | Not mandatory. A notarized affidavit of loss suffices unless the local OEO posts additional requirements due to fraud incidents. |
| What if I moved to another city? | File a transfer of registration first; once approved, request the replacement certification in the new locality. |
10. Key Takeaways
- Plastic Voter’s IDs have not been printed since July 2017; the legally recognized substitute is the Voter’s Certification issued by the OEO.
- Replacement still follows RA 8189 procedures: file during continuing registration, substantiate loss/damage, await ERB approval.
- Bring an ID, affidavit, and ₱75 (unless exempt) for fastest same-day release.
- For long-term convenience, secure a PhilSys National ID, which will ultimately supersede the voter-specific card.
- Monitor COMELEC advisories for any reactivation of ID-card printing or changes in fees—regulations evolve each election cycle.
This article synthesizes the latest COMELEC issuances and statutes current to May 29 2025. Always verify with your local Election Officer for any locality-specific notices or newly-issued resolutions.