Updated for general legal guidance; confirm operational details with your local Office of the Election Officer (OEO).

1) Who may register and vote

Under the 1987 Constitution (Art. V) and the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8189), a person may register as a regular voter if, on or before election day, they are:

At least 18 years old;
A Filipino citizen;
A resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year immediately preceding election day; and
A resident of the city/municipality (and the specific barangay/precinct) for at least 6 months immediately preceding election day.

Key point for those turning 18: You may file your application even if you are 17 at the time of registration, so long as you will be 18 on or before election day.

2) Continuing registration & statutory cut-offs

COMELEC maintains a system of continuing registration (R.A. 8189), but the law prohibits registration during the “quiet period” before voting:

Regular elections (national/local): No registration within 120 days immediately prior to election day.
Special elections: No registration within 90 days before election day.

Practically, COMELEC opens registration “cycles” (including satellite drives) then closes them once the statutory blackout window begins. If you’ll turn 18 on election day, apply before the cut-off. (When in doubt, count back 120 days from election day and treat that as the hard deadline for regular elections.)

3) Where and how to apply

Where

Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in your city/municipality.
Satellite registration sites may be scheduled by COMELEC (e.g., malls, barangay halls, schools).
For indigenous peoples (IPs), PWDs, senior citizens, and those with mobility issues, COMELEC implements accessible registration arrangements and priority lanes.

What to bring

One valid government-issued ID showing your photo, signature, and preferably address (e.g., PhilSys National ID, Driver’s License, Passport, Postal ID, UMID/SSS, PRC ID, school ID for students).
If address isn’t on the ID, bring any proof of residence (e.g., barangay certification).
Bring a ballpen (black/blue) as a best practice.

COMELEC captures biometrics (photo, fingerprints, signature). Without biometrics, you won’t be activated in the list of voters (see R.A. 10367).

Forms & steps (typical flow)

Accomplish the application form at the OEO or pre-fill if made available (Application for Registration).
Submit ID and have your biometrics captured.
Receive acknowledgment/claim stub.
Your application undergoes Election Registration Board (ERB) evaluation (usually convenes quarterly).
If approved, your name appears in the Certified List of Voters (CLV) of your precinct.

4) If you were an SK voter (15–17) and are turning 18

The SK (youth) registry is separate from the regular voter list. Turning 18 does not automatically move you to the regular list. You must apply to be a regular voter in your city/municipality. COMELEC commonly accommodates an “from SK to regular” transaction during registration periods. Bring the same IDs and follow the standard process.

5) Residency rules & common scenarios

Students/boarders: You may register in the place where you actually reside (the “animus manendi” or intent to stay), not necessarily your family home—so long as you meet the 6-month local residence requirement.
Workers who relocated: If you moved cities within 6 months of election day, you likely cannot register in the new city yet; consider voting in your prior city if still qualified there.
Married name changes: You can seek correction of entry (name/civil status) by filing the appropriate application with the OEO.

6) Transfer, correction, reactivation

Transfer of registration: If you changed residence to another city/municipality (or within the city, to another barangay/cluster), file a Transfer application at your new OEO.
Correction of entry: For misspelled names, wrong birthdates, or civil status changes, file Correction (or Change of Name).
Reactivation: Registration may be deactivated for grounds like failure to vote in two successive regular elections, court declaration of incompetence, or loss of Filipino citizenship. File Reactivation (and, if needed, Transfer/Correction) to be restored.

7) Grounds for disqualification from voting

Under the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code, you cannot vote if:

Sentenced by final judgment to imprisonment of not less than 1 year, unless pardoned or granted amnesty (right may be reacquired 5 years after service of sentence).
Adjudged by final judgment to be insane or incompetent.
Convicted by final judgment of crimes involving disloyalty (e.g., rebellion, sedition) of not less than 1 year, unless pardoned or amnestied.

These disqualifications also affect registration status and may trigger deactivation.

8) Deadlines & timing tips if you’re turning 18

Count back 120 days from election day for regular elections—that’s the statutory close for new applications.
Apply early within the announced registration cycle; do not wait until the final week (sites can be crowded, and ERB schedules are fixed).
If your 18th birthday falls exactly on election day, you are eligible—apply before the cut-off.
If your 18th birthday is after election day, you’ll be eligible for the next election cycle only.

9) Precinct assignment & voter’s proof

COMELEC publishes the Certified List of Voters (CLV) per precinct before elections. You can verify your status/precinct through official verification channels or at your OEO.
COMELEC no longer mass-issues the old Voter’s ID card; instead, you may request a Voter Certification from the OEO if you need documentary proof. (Fees and processing times vary; some categories are fee-exempt.)

10) Overseas Filipinos turning 18

If you will be abroad on election day but will be 18 by then, you may apply as an overseas voter (per R.A. 9189 as amended by R.A. 10590) through Philippine embassies/consulates or authorized registration posts.
Overseas registration timetables are longer and often close earlier than domestic windows—plan well ahead.
You vote for national positions; local positions generally require residency in a Philippine locality and domestic registration.

11) Election offenses & penalties

The following are election offenses (penalties typically include imprisonment, disqualification, and loss of voting rights):

Multiple or fraudulent registration, using false identity, or misrepresenting age/residency/citizenship;
Vote-buying/selling;
Tampering with registration records or obstructing a qualified person from registering.

Always submit truthful information and apply only once in the proper locality.

12) Accessibility, inclusivity, and data privacy

COMELEC provides Accessible Polling Places (APPs), priority lanes, and may conduct satellite registration for PWDs, seniors, pregnant women, IPs, and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) consistent with law and court permissions.
Your personal data and biometrics are kept per data-protection rules; you may request correction of erroneous entries.

13) Quick checklist (for those turning 18 by election day)

Will be 18 on/before election day
Filipino citizen
1-year Philippine residency before election day
6-month residency in your city/municipality before election day
Valid government ID (and proof of address if needed)
Submit application at the OEO or a satellite site before the 120-day cut-off (regular elections)
Ensure biometrics were captured and ERB approval completed
Verify your name in the Certified List of Voters and note your precinct
If previously SK-only: apply as regular voter
If moved: file transfer; if inactive: file reactivation

14) Frequently asked edge cases

Q: I’m 17 now and turn 18 one week before election day. Can I register today? A: Yes—so long as registration is still open (i.e., we are not yet within the 120-day prohibition for regular elections) and you meet residency requirements.

Q: I moved cities four months before election day. Can I vote in my new city? A: Only if you will complete 6 months of residency in that city by election day and you file a transfer application before the cut-off. Otherwise, vote in your previous city if still listed there.

Q: I failed to vote in two consecutive regular elections. Am I still registered? A: Your record may be deactivated. File for reactivation (and transfer/correction if needed) while registration is open.

Q: I have no government ID. Can I still register? A: COMELEC requires a valid ID; if you lack one, ask your OEO about accepted alternatives (e.g., barangay certification and/or other verifiable documents). Obtain a valid ID as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Final note

This article summarizes statutory rules (notably R.A. 8189 and related laws) and standard COMELEC practice. Local OEO notices control the specific dates, venues, and operational details for each registration cycle. To avoid missing the legal cut-off, apply early once registration opens in your area.