In the Philippines, the birth of a child must ideally be registered within thirty (30) days of occurrence. When this window is missed, the process transitions into Delayed Registration. While the mother is typically the primary declarant for a child’s birth record, circumstances such as her absence, disappearance, or death can complicate the filing.

Under the rules set by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Office of the Civil Registrar General, a birth can still be legally recorded even without the mother's participation.

1. Who May File the Application?

If the mother is unavailable, the following individuals (in order of preference) are authorized to file the application for delayed registration:

The Father: Especially if the parents are married or if he is acknowledging paternity.
The Nearest Relative: Any person of legal age related to the child by blood.
The Guardian: The person having legal or actual charge of the child.
The Person Himself/Heir: If the person whose birth is being registered is already of legal age.
The Administrator/Head of Institution: If the child is under the care of an orphanage or similar facility.

2. Essential Documentary Requirements

The absence of the mother necessitates stronger "secondary evidence" to prove the facts of birth (date, place, and parentage).

Standard Mandatory Documents:

Negative Certification of Birth: A document from the PSA confirming that there is indeed no record of the birth in their database.
Affidavit of Delayed Registration: Executed by the applicant (father, relative, or the person themselves), explaining why the registration was delayed and the whereabouts/status of the mother.
Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons: Sworn statements from two people (not the parents) who have personal knowledge of the birth.

Supporting Proof of Birth (At least two of the following):

Baptismal Certificate: Or other religious records.
School Records: Form 137 or elementary/high school transcripts.
Medical Records: Hospital discharge summaries or an immunization card.
Voter’s Registration Record: From the COMELEC.
Employment Records: Or SSS/GSIS membership records.

3. Special Considerations for Unmarried Parents

The process differs significantly based on the marital status of the parents at the time of birth:

If the Parents Were Married:

The child is legitimate. The father or a relative can register the birth by presenting the Marriage Certificate of the parents. The mother’s details are simply lifted from the marriage record.

If the Parents Were NOT Married:

Registration under the Father’s Surname: The father must execute an Affidavit of Admission of Paternity (AAP). If he is the one filing the late registration, he signs the birth certificate directly.
Registration under the Mother’s Surname: If the father is also absent or does not acknowledge the child, the relative/guardian registers the child using the mother’s maiden surname.

Note: Even if the mother is absent, her full maiden name must be accurately provided on the form, as this is the primary link to the child’s identity.

4. The Step-by-Step Process

Verification: Obtain a "Negative Certification" from the PSA.
Compilation: Gather all secondary evidence (Baptismal, School, etc.) that lists the mother's name and the child's date of birth.
Local Filing: Submit the documents to the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where the birth occurred.
The Posting Period: The LCRO is required by law to post a notice of the pending application for ten (10) consecutive days. This allows for any opposition to the registration.
Review and Approval: If no opposition is filed, the City/Municipal Civil Registrar (C/MCR) reviews the authenticity of the documents.
Endorsement: Once approved locally, the record is sent to the PSA for encoding and issuance of the birth certificate on security paper (SECPA).

5. Common Challenges

Deceased Mother: If the mother is deceased, a copy of her Death Certificate should be attached to the application to explain her inability to sign.
Unknown Mother (Foundlings): If the mother’s identity is completely unknown, the process shifts from Delayed Registration to the Registration of a Foundling, which requires a Social Case Study Report from the DSWD.
Discrepancies: If the mother’s name is spelled differently across various supporting documents (e.g., "Ma." vs "Maria"), the LCRO may require a Supplemental Report or a judicial/administrative correction of entries.

Legal Summary

Registration of birth is a fundamental right of every child. The absence of the mother is not a legal bar to registration, provided that the applicant can sufficiently establish the identity of the child and the circumstances of the birth through alternative documentation and sworn testimonies.