In the Philippines, the birth of a child must be registered within thirty (30) days from the time of birth at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where the birth occurred. When a birth is not reported within this prescribed period, it is considered a Delayed Registration.

The process for late registration is governed by the rules set forth by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and Commonwealth Act No. 3753 (Civil Register Law). Below is the comprehensive step-by-step procedure and the legal requirements involved.

I. Preliminary Requirements

Before proceeding to the LCRO, the applicant must determine the status of the record. The first step is to obtain a Negative Certification of Birth from the PSA. This document officially confirms that there is no existing record of the birth in the central database, which justifies the application for late registration.

II. Documentary Requirements

The requirements vary slightly depending on whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate, and the age of the person being registered. Generally, the following are required:

Affidavit for Delayed Registration: A formal statement (usually found at the back of the Certificate of Live Birth) signed by the father, mother, or the person himself/herself if of legal age. It must be sworn before a notary public or the civil registrar.
Certificate of Live Birth (Municipal Form No. 102): Accomplished correctly and completely.
Two (2) Supporting Documents: These must show the name of the child, date of birth, place of birth, and names of parents. Common acceptable documents include:
Baptismal Certificate
School Records (Form 137 or Transcript of Records)
Medical or Dental Records
Income Tax Return of parents
Insurance Policy
Marriage Certificate of Parents: Required if the child is legitimate.
Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons: These individuals must have personal knowledge of the facts of the birth and must attest to the identity of the person being registered.

III. The Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Verification and Securing of Forms

Visit the LCRO of the place where you were born. Present the Negative Certification from the PSA. The registry office will provide the necessary forms (Municipal Form 102).

2. Completion of Documentation

Fill out the Certificate of Live Birth accurately. If the person being registered is of legal age, they may sign the affidavit of delayed registration. If a minor, the parents must sign. Ensure all supporting documents (Baptismal, School records, etc.) are original or authenticated copies.

3. Filing and Payment of Fees

Submit the documents to the LCRO. You will be required to pay the filing fees, which vary by municipality, and any applicable "late fees" or "penalty fees" for the delay.

4. The Mandatory 10-Day Posting Period

Upon filing, the Civil Registrar is legally required to post a Notice to the Public regarding the application for delayed registration. This notice is posted in a conspicuous place in the city or municipal hall for ten (10) consecutive days. This period allows for any person who may have knowledge of a reason why the registration should not proceed to file an opposition.

5. Review and Approval

If no opposition is filed within the 10-day period, the Local Civil Registrar will evaluate the authenticity of the documents. Once satisfied, the Registrar will approve the registration and assign a registry number.

6. Transmission to PSA

The LCRO will then transmit the registered birth record to the Philippine Statistics Authority in Manila for electronic encoding. It usually takes several months before the record is available on PSA security paper.

IV. Special Considerations for Illegitimate Children

For illegitimate children, the following rules apply under Republic Act No. 9255:

If the father acknowledges paternity, he must sign the Affidavit of Admission of Paternity (found on the back of the birth certificate) or a separate private handwritten instrument.
The child shall use the surname of the mother unless an Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF) is executed and filed.

V. Important Legal Notes

Authenticity: Providing false information in a public document is a criminal offense (Perjury or Falsification of Public Documents).
Jurisdiction: You cannot file for late registration in the city where you currently live if it is different from the city where you were born. The "Place of Birth" dictates the jurisdiction.
Foundlings: For children whose parents are unknown, the registration is handled through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and follows a different set of protocols for foundlings.