To get a PSA Birth Certificate, you can request a copy at a PSA Civil Registry System (CRS) Outlet or order one online through PSA Serbilis or PSAHelpline.
If you’re going to a PSA outlet, book a free appointment first. Prepare a valid ID and the correct birth details, submit your request, and pay the required fee. If you prefer to order online, choose the service and delivery option you need, enter the required information, pay, and wait for your certificate.
Important for 2026: PSA fully implemented its CRS Appointment System nationwide starting March 23, 2026. This means you need an appointment before requesting a Birth Certificate at a regular PSA CRS Outlet, including if you have a National ID. Booking an appointment is free.
Overview
Who might need a PSA Birth Certificate?
You may need a PSA Birth Certificate if a school, employer, government agency, scholarship provider, or another organization asks for an official copy of your birth record.
Common situations include:
- school enrollment or admission;
- scholarship applications;
- employment requirements;
- government transactions;
- applications that require proof of your name, age, date of birth, or parentage; and
- other transactions that specifically list a PSA Birth Certificate as a requirement.
This doesn’t mean you need to request a new copy every time.
If you already have an intact and readable PSA or NSO Birth Certificate, check whether you can still use it before ordering another copy. Birth Certificates have permanent validity under Republic Act No. 11909, subject to the conditions explained later in this guide.
What is a PSA Birth Certificate?
A PSA Birth Certificate is the PSA-issued copy of your registered Certificate of Live Birth.
It shows important information recorded about your birth, such as:
- your complete name;
- your date of birth;
- your place of birth; and
- information about your parents.
People commonly call it a “PSA Birth Certificate,” although the official document is called a Certificate of Live Birth.
Your birth is originally registered with the Local Civil Registry Office. Once the record is available in the PSA’s Civil Registry System, you can request a PSA copy when you need one.
What kind of PSA Birth Certificate do you need?
For most transactions, the main question is whether you need a physical PSA Birth Certificate or whether the organization accepts a PSA E-Certificate.
Physical PSA Birth Certificate
This is the printed PSA copy issued on security paper.
You can get one through:
- a PSA CRS Outlet;
- PSA Serbilis;
- PSAHelpline; or
- another authorized PSA request channel where available.
If the organization specifically asks for a printed or physical PSA Birth Certificate, use this version.
PSA E-Certificate
The PSA E-Certificate is an official digital version of a PSA civil registry document available through PSAHelpline.
It is delivered through a secure digital access system and includes features that allow its authenticity to be checked.
PSA states that an E-Certificate has the same legal validity as the physical PSA document.
What to do: If you’re submitting your Birth Certificate to a school, employer, scholarship provider, or private organization, check its instructions first. Even though the E-Certificate is legally valid, the organization may still have its own document-submission process.
What if your Birth Certificate has been corrected?
If your birth record has gone through an approved correction or another official change, use an updated PSA copy showing the correction or annotation when required.
Don’t keep using an older copy if it no longer reflects the correct information in your civil registry record.
Where do you get a PSA Birth Certificate?
You have three main options.
| Request Option | Where to Start | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| PSA CRS Outlet | PSA CRS Appointment System, then your selected outlet | Physical PSA Birth Certificate |
| PSA Serbilis | PSA Serbilis website | Physical PSA Birth Certificate |
| PSAHelpline | PSAHelpline website | Physical copy or PSA E-Certificate, depending on the option selected |
PSA Civil Registry System Outlet
If you want to request the certificate personally, you can go to a PSA Civil Registry System or CRS Outlet.
Starting March 23, 2026, clients requesting civil registry documents at PSA CRS Outlets nationwide must book an appointment before going.
This includes National ID holders.
The appointment is free, and the appointment slip must be under the name of the person who will actually transact at the PSA outlet.
PSA Serbilis
PSA Serbilis is an official PSA online service for requesting civil registry documents.
You can submit a Birth Certificate request online, enter the required information, complete the payment, and have the certificate processed for delivery or another available service option.
PSAHelpline
PSAHelpline is another PSA-authorized online request channel.
Current options for Birth Certificates include:
- nationwide delivery;
- pickup at selected partner branches; and
- a digital PSA E-Certificate.
Are there other ways to request one?
PSA also works with accredited Batch Request System or BREQS partners and may provide mobile or special civil registry services in some areas.
These services can follow their own schedules, fees, and procedures, so check the specific partner or PSA announcement before going.
What are the requirements for a PSA Birth Certificate?
The requirements are simplest if you’re requesting your own PSA Birth Certificate.
If someone else will request it for you, additional IDs and authorization documents may be required.
What do you need if you’re requesting your own Birth Certificate?
For a standard request at a PSA CRS Outlet, prepare:
- your PSA CRS appointment confirmation;
- an accomplished Birth Certificate Application Form; and
- a valid ID.
The PSA appointment confirmation may be presented in printed or electronic form.
Check the requirements of your selected outlet before going, especially if your request involves a representative, guardian, or another special situation.
What information do you need to provide?
Have the following information ready:
- complete name of the person whose Birth Certificate is being requested;
- complete name of the father;
- mother’s complete maiden name;
- date of birth;
- city or municipality and province of birth;
- whether the birth was registered late and, if applicable, the year it was registered;
- requester’s name and address;
- requester’s relationship to the document owner;
- number of copies needed; and
- purpose of the request.
What to do: Double-check names, dates, and places before submitting the request. Incorrect information can make it harder for PSA to find the correct record.
What if someone else will request your Birth Certificate?
An authorized representative may request your Birth Certificate in allowed cases, but additional documents apply.
Depending on the situation, these may include:
- the document owner’s valid ID;
- the representative’s valid ID; and
- an authorization letter or duly notarized Special Power of Attorney.
The authorization should specifically state that the representative is allowed to secure the civil registry document from PSA.
For an outlet transaction, the appointment should be under the name of the representative who will actually go to the PSA outlet.
How do you get a PSA Birth Certificate?
You can request it at a PSA CRS Outlet or online.
How do you get a PSA Birth Certificate at a PSA CRS Outlet?
- Book your appointment.
Use the PSA CRS Appointment System and choose your preferred outlet, date, and available schedule. - Check your appointment confirmation.
Make sure your name, outlet, date, and schedule are correct. - Prepare your requirements.
Bring your valid ID and any additional documents required for your situation. - Prepare the birth information.
Have the person’s complete name, parents’ names, date and place of birth, and other required details ready. - Go to the PSA CRS Outlet.
Arrive on your scheduled date and follow the outlet’s instructions. - Complete and submit the application.
Fill out the required Birth Certificate Application Form and submit your documents. - Pay the fee.
A regular PSA Birth Certificate currently costs ₱155 per copy at a PSA CRS Outlet. - Wait for the release.
Follow the release date or time shown on your Official Receipt or the instructions given by the outlet. - Check the certificate.
Before leaving, make sure you received the correct document.
How do you order a PSA Birth Certificate through PSA Serbilis?
You can order a physical PSA Birth Certificate online through PSA Serbilis.
You’ll provide the required birth and requester information, review the request, complete the payment, and follow the delivery or release instructions.
For delivery within the Philippines, a Birth Certificate currently costs ₱330 per copy. PSA also applies tiered pricing when you request more than one copy.
For the complete online process, see: How to Order a PSA Birth Certificate Through PSA Serbilis: Step-by-Step Guide
How do you order a PSA Birth Certificate through PSAHelpline?
PSAHelpline lets you request a Birth Certificate online and choose how you want to receive it.
Current options include:
- nationwide delivery;
- pickup at selected National Book Store and Robinsons Department Store branches; and
- a PSA E-Certificate.
You’ll need to choose your preferred option, provide the required information, complete any required identity verification, and pay the applicable fee.
A separate step-by-step PSAHelpline guide may be useful if you want help filling out the online request.
How long does it take to get a PSA Birth Certificate?
The processing time depends on how you request the document and whether PSA can immediately find the record.
At a PSA CRS Outlet
There isn’t one guaranteed release time for every PSA CRS Outlet and every request.
As one current example, PSA Masbate’s 2026 Citizen’s Charter lists about two hours of processing time, excluding queuing time, for regular Birth Certificate copy issuance.
This is an outlet-specific published timeline, not a nationwide guarantee.
Your request may take longer if PSA needs additional verification or searching.
Follow the release information on your Official Receipt.
Through PSA Serbilis
For Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, PSA Serbilis schedules next-day delivery once PSA has completed processing and released the document.
For other provinces, delivery may take around 6 to 8 working days.
Areas outside the courier’s normal service area may require an additional 5 to 7 working days.
If PSA needs a manual search of its records, additional processing time may also apply.
Through PSAHelpline
PSAHelpline currently lists:
- next-day delivery in Metro Manila; and
- around 3 to 8 working days for nationwide delivery.
These are service timelines and can be longer when PSA needs additional record checking.
If you need your Birth Certificate for a scholarship, school enrollment, job application, or another deadline, request it early.
How much does a PSA Birth Certificate cost?
The price depends on how you request and receive it.
| Request Method | Published Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| PSA CRS Outlet | ₱155 per copy | Physical PSA Birth Certificate |
| PSA Serbilis, delivery within the Philippines | ₱330 per copy | Physical PSA Birth Certificate |
| PSAHelpline nationwide delivery | ₱365 | Physical PSA Birth Certificate |
| PSAHelpline nationwide pickup | ₱335 | Physical PSA Birth Certificate for pickup |
| PSAHelpline E-Certificate | ₱290 | Digital PSA E-Certificate |
The PSA Serbilis and PSAHelpline prices include the service arrangements used by those online channels, so they are higher than the regular PSA CRS Outlet fee.
If you’re ordering several copies or using another service option, check the amount shown before completing your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a PSA Birth Certificate expire?
No.
Under Republic Act No. 11909, Certificates of Live Birth have permanent validity regardless of when they were issued, as long as the document remains intact and readable and its authenticity and security features are still visible.
If your birth record has since been officially corrected or changed, use an updated certificate showing the correct information.
Is an old NSO Birth Certificate still valid?
Yes, as long as it meets the conditions under Republic Act No. 11909.
The law covers Birth Certificates issued by both the Philippine Statistics Authority and its predecessor, the National Statistics Office or NSO.
You don’t automatically need a new PSA copy simply because your NSO Birth Certificate is old.
Get an updated copy if:
- the document is damaged or unreadable;
- its authenticity or security features are no longer clear; or
- your birth record has since been officially corrected.
Do you need a new PSA Birth Certificate every six months?
No.
A PSA Birth Certificate does not expire after six months.
If your existing copy is intact, readable, and still reflects your correct civil registry information, Republic Act No. 11909 gives it permanent validity.
Can someone else request your PSA Birth Certificate for you?
Yes, in allowed cases.
An authorized representative may request the document, but PSA may require the document owner’s valid ID, the representative’s valid ID, and a properly prepared authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney.
For a CRS Outlet transaction, the appointment must be under the name of the person who will actually transact.
Can your parent request your PSA Birth Certificate?
Yes.
A parent is among the persons allowed to request a person’s Birth Certificate under PSA’s rules.
PSA may require identification and proof of relationship when necessary.
What if you’re requesting a minor’s Birth Certificate as a legal guardian?
A legal guardian may need additional documents showing the guardianship or custody arrangement.
Depending on the case, PSA may ask for documents such as:
- a court decision assigning guardianship; or
- a notarized Affidavit of Guardianship supported by proof of custody or guardianship.
Check the current PSA requirements before going because guardian cases have more requirements than a standard personal request.
Can you get a PSA Birth Certificate for free if you’re a first-time jobseeker?
Yes, if you qualify under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act or Republic Act No. 11261.
PSA allows a qualified first-time jobseeker to get one free copy of their Birth Certificate.
For this service, PSA’s current requirements include:
- an original Barangay Certification from your place of residence; and
- an Oath of Undertaking.
The free request may only be used once and cannot be delegated to a representative.
Is a PSA E-Certificate valid?
Yes.
PSA states that its E-Certificate has the same legal validity as the physical PSA document.
It is digitally secured and includes features that allow the receiving organization to verify its authenticity.
If you’re submitting it to a school, employer, scholarship provider, or another private organization, still check its current submission instructions.
What if PSA cannot find your Birth Certificate?
If PSA cannot find a matching birth record in its Civil Registry System, PSA may issue a Negative Certification of Birth.
This does not always mean your birth was never registered.
If your birth was already registered with the Local Civil Registry Office but the record is not yet available in PSA’s database, you may need to ask the Local Civil Registry Office where the birth was registered about endorsing the record to PSA.
Does a Negative Certification of Birth expire?
Yes.
Starting in 2026, PSA states that a Negative Certification of Birth is valid for six months from the date of issuance.
This is different from an ordinary PSA Birth Certificate.
A Negative Certification only shows that PSA did not find a matching record in its database as of a particular date, so its status can change later.
The six-month validity rule applies to the Negative Certification, not to your regular Birth Certificate.
What if there’s a mistake in your PSA Birth Certificate?
Getting another PSA copy will not automatically fix the mistake.
The correct process depends on what is wrong with the record.
For example, a misspelled first name, incorrect birth information, missing information, or another error may require a specific correction or supplemental civil registration process.
What to do: Start with the Local Civil Registry Office where the birth was registered and ask which correction procedure applies to your specific case.
Once the correction has been approved and reflected in PSA’s records, request an updated PSA copy.
Is a PSA Birth Certificate the same as a Local Civil Registry copy?
Not exactly.
Your birth is originally registered with the Local Civil Registry Office. PSA then maintains civil registry records in its national system and issues PSA copies.
If your school, employer, government agency, scholarship provider, or application specifically asks for a PSA Birth Certificate, get the PSA-issued version instead of assuming that a Local Civil Registry copy will be accepted.
Can you walk in to a PSA CRS Outlet without an appointment?
For regular PSA CRS Outlet requests, no.
Starting March 23, 2026, PSA requires clients requesting civil registry documents at CRS Outlets nationwide to secure an appointment before going.
This also applies to National ID holders.
The appointment is free and non-transferable, and it must be under the name of the person who will actually transact.
This does not automatically apply to BREQS partners, PSA mobile services, or other special activities that may publish their own procedures.
Where can you verify this information?
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Birth Certificate
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Public Advisory: Full Implementation of the Civil Registration Service Appointment System
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Public Advisory: PSA Serbilis Website Fully Operational
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Public Advisory: PSA E-Certificate Service
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Public Advisory: Negative Certification of Birth Validity
- Philippine Statistics Authority — 2026 Citizen’s Charter, PSA Masbate