REPLACEMENT OF A VOTER’S ID IN THE PHILIPPINES A comprehensive legal-procedural guide (updated to 27 May 2025)
1. Why this topic matters
A Voter’s Identification Card is issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) under Republic Act No. 8189 (“The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996”) and serves as (a) proof of registration, and (b) a valid government-issued ID. Should the card be lost, stolen, or damaged, a registrant may apply for a replacement or, where cards are no longer printed, for a Voter’s Certification that functions in its stead.
Important context (2025): COMELEC suspended the mass printing of PVC Voter’s ID cards in late 2016 in anticipation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). From 2017 the agency has instead issued computer-generated Voter’s Certificates on security paper (with dry-seal) as official proof of registration. • If you never received a physical Voter’s ID, the correct remedy is to secure a Voter’s Certificate. • If you once had an ID and now need a duplicate, COMELEC treats the request as an application for replacement but again releases a Voter’s Certificate until PVC-card printing resumes (which, as of May 2025, remains on hold).
2. Governing law & issuances
| Instrument | Key provisions relevant to replacement |
|---|---|
| RA 8189 (1996), §§ 23–26 | Mandates issuance of Voter’s ID; allows replacement “for a reasonable fee” upon sworn application describing the loss or destruction. |
| COMELEC Resolutions 2811 (1996) & 4703 (2003) | Prescribe the “Application for Issuance of Replacement Voter’s ID” (VRF Form A-037) and the procedures for verification, biometrics recapture (if needed) and card release. |
| COMELEC Resolution 10549 (8 April 2019) | Continues the policy of issuing Voter’s Certificates in lieu of ID cards pending PhilSys rollout; sets a ₱75 certification fee (waived for Senior Citizens, PWDs, and IPs). |
| COMELEC Minute Resolutions 19-0949 & 20-0547 | Clarify that requests for replacement cards are processed under the same window as Voter’s Certificates; lost-card affidavit still required. |
| Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) & COMELEC–NPC Circular 16-01 | Govern handling of biometric and personal data during re-issuance. |
3. Who may apply for a replacement
- Previously issued a PVC Voter’s ID that is now lost, stolen, mutilated, or has incorrect data; and
- Registration is active (not deactivated for failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections, etc.).
Deactivated voters must first file an Application for Reactivation (COMELEC Reso. 12228, 2023) before they can request any ID or certificate.
4. Documentary requirements
| Required document | Notes |
|---|---|
| a. Duly accomplished Application for Replacement of Voter’s ID (VRF Form A-037) | Obtain from the local Office of the Election Officer (OEO); complete all fields. |
| b. One (1) government-issued ID | Any valid ID with photo and signature (e.g., PhilSys, passport, driver’s license). If none, present birth certificate plus barangay certification. |
| c. Affidavit of Loss or Affidavit of Mutilation | Must narrate circumstances, sworn before a notary public or OEO-administered oath (no fee for indigents/Seniors/PWDs). |
| d. Fee | ₱100 replacement fee (set by Minute Res. 20-0547). When the card printer is offline, you instead pay ₱75 certification fee under Res. 10549. Exemptions: Seniors (RA 9994), PWDs (RA 10754), IPs (NCIP AO 1-2018). |
5. Step-by-step procedure (OEO level)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Personal appearance | Visit the OEO where you are registered. COMELEC does not allow filing by representative or mail. |
| 2. Form issuance & completion | OEO staff issues VRF A-037 (or certification request form). Fill in personal data, precinct number, and reason for replacement. |
| 3. Submission & identity check | Present ID documents; biometrics are cross-checked in the Voter Registration System (VRS). If prints/photo are unclear or outdated, recapture is required. |
| 4. Acceptance & fee payment | Pay the replacement/certification fee; obtain Official Receipt (OR). Your application is logged in the Election Registration Board (ERB) docket. |
| 5. ERB notation | Replacement applications do not require ERB approval; the OEO may act immediately, but must annotate the master list and database. |
| 6. Printing / preparation | • When PVC printers are operational: card is queued for batch printing at the central COMELEC printing hub, then sent back to the OEO. • Current practice: the OEO prints a secure Voter’s Certificate (8½ × 11″ security paper, QR-coded). |
| 7. Release | Personally claim the card/certificate. Bring the OR and one ID. You sign the logbook acknowledging receipt. |
Processing time. Under RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act), COMELEC committed to a 7-working-day turnaround for certificates and 30-working-day turnaround for PVC cards (when printing resumes). Provincial or highly urbanized city OEOs often release certificates while-you-wait.
6. Practical tips
- Check printer status first. Many OEOs post notices or social-media updates. If printers are down, skip the affidavit and simply secure a certificate.
- Bring PhilSys ID if you have it. The PhilSys card is now the fastest way for staff to corroborate your name and biometrics.
- Fee waivers. If you are a senior citizen, person with disability, or an indigenous person, assert your exemption—bring proof (OSCA/PWD/IP card or physician’s certification).
- Mismatched data. Replacement is the ideal moment to correct misspellings or marital-status changes; request a supplemental data correction simultaneously (COMELEC Reso. 10549, §5).
- Keep the receipt. Some banks and government agencies accept the OEO OR plus your old photocopy while awaiting the certificate.
7. Frequently‐asked questions
| Question | Answer (2025) |
|---|---|
| Can I request online or by mail? | No. COMELEC requires personal appearance to prevent identity fraud and to capture biometrics. |
| What if I transferred to another city? | Apply for transfer of registration first (COMELEC Reso. 12710, 2024). Only after the new locality approves the transfer may you request a replacement/certificate there. |
| Will COMELEC ever resume PVC card printing? | The Commission has stated (press release, 13 March 2025) that resumption is contingent on Congress allocating funds for a new ID card aligned with PhilSys. No target date has been fixed. |
| Is the Voter’s Certificate accepted for passport, SSS, Pag-IBIG, etc.? | Yes. DFA, SSS, GSIS, Pag-IBIG, LTO and major banks list “COMELEC Voter’s Certificate with dry seal, issued within the last year” among acceptable primary IDs. Always check the agency’s latest circular. |
| Cost of reprinting if card printing resumes? | Historically ₱100 (set in 2015). COMELEC may adjust via resolution when new PVC stock is procured. |
8. Penalties and offenses
- False affidavit of loss – Per Article 183, Revised Penal Code, punishable by prisión correccional and/or fine.
- Falsification of Voter’s ID or Certificate – Election offense under Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa 881), §262, penalized by 1–6 years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and deprivation of right to vote.
- Fixers / unauthorized fees – Violates RA 11032; report to the COMELEC Action Center (hotline 8582-DESK).
9. Sample affidavit of loss (outline)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) City/Municipality of _____ ) S.S.
AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS
I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, single/married, and a resident of [address], after having been duly sworn, depose and say:
- I am a registered voter of Precinct [number], Barangay _____, [City/Province].
- I was issued a COMELEC Voter’s ID bearing Voter’s ID No. [number] on [date].
- Sometime on [date], while commuting from ___ to ___, I discovered that my wallet containing said Voter’s ID was missing and presumably lost. …
- I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the foregoing and to support my application for a replacement Voter’s ID / Voter’s Certificate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [day] of [month] [year] at [City], Philippines.
Affiant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN …
10. Take-away checklist
✓ Personal appearance at your OEO ✓ Completed VRF A-037 (or Certification form) ✓ Government ID (or alternative proofs) ✓ Notarized (or OEO-sworn) Affidavit of Loss / Mutilation ✓ Payment or proof of exemption ✓ Claim stub & official receipt
Keep electronic copies of everything; many agencies now accept scanned certificates for online transactions.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for formal legal advice. Procedures may change by future COMELEC resolutions or legislation. Always verify with your local Office of the Election Officer or the official COMELEC website before acting.