EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
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JUL-8 P2 22
RECEIVED D',
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROHIBITING NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REQUIRING THE 
SUBMISSION OF A PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY CERTIFIED BIRTH 
CERTIFICATE ISSUED WITHIN THE PAST SIX (6) MONTHS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A birth certificate is among the crucial documents usually required in applying for 
a passport and other government-issued IDs, visa application, local employment, 
benefits/claims/loans, and school enrollment, among others. It is one of the most 
requested civil registry documents.
The birth permanent records of the identities of individual Filipinos do not have an 
expiration period. The facts contained in a birth certificate cannot be altered unless there 
is a court order or the birth document underwent administrative correction.s, as provided 
under Republic Acts No. 9048 and 10172. However, the Philippine Statistics Authority 
(PSA), occasionally changes some features (e.g., color) of the security paper (SECPA) 
wherein the birth certificate is being printed. According to the PSA, this is being done to 
prevent the proliferation of fake documents and to preserve the integrity of PSA-issued 
documents.1
Notwithstanding the changes in the SECPA, previously issued birth certificates 
remain valid. However, government agencies require that applicants submit birth 
certificates printed in the most recent SECPA issued within the past six (6) months. This 
results in additional and unnecessary expense and inconvenience for Filipinos. 
Requesting for a copy of a birth certificate in a PSA or National Statistics Office (NSO) 
Census Serbilis Center costs P155.00. Aside from Serbilis Centers. Walk-in applications are 
also welcome at the Business Centers of SM Malls nationwide. This costs PI40.00 per copy 
and an additional P20.00 service fee. The PSA Serbilis website provides an easier way to
PSA, Press statement on the issue that civil registry documents such as birth, death, and marriage certificates 
expire. Published on 30 June 2016, Available at h ttp s://p sa.g o v .p h /co n ten t/p ress-statem en t-issu e- 
civil-registry-docum ents-such-birth-death-and-m arriage-certificates. Accessed on 16 June 2019.


request for birth certificates. Delivery within the Philippines costs P330.00 per copy while 
delivery to other countries costs USD 20.30 per copy.2
This bill seeks to unburden Filipinos of this inconvenience by mandating the 
lifetime validity of birth records certified by the PSA and prohibiting government 
agencies from requiring the submission of birth certificates issued by the PSA within the 
past six (6) months. A version of this measure was filed by Senator Recto in the 17th 
Congress.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
FRANCI
NGILINAN
PSA Serbilis, O nline A pplication Fees, A vailable at
h ttp s ;//w w w .psaserbilis.com .ph/Secure/Paym entInstructions.aspx, Accessed on 22 June 2019.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of till £ ;:: ri-.v/
S E N A T E
*19 
JUL-8 P2--22
Senate Bill No.
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
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AN ACT
PROHIBITING NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REQUIRING THE 
SUBMISSION OF A PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY CERTIFIED BIRTH 
CERTIFICATE ISSUED WITHIN THE PAST SIX(6) MONTHS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Lifetime Validity of Birth 
Certificate Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the declared policy of the State to 
establish an effective system that will improve the efficiency of delivery of government 
frontline services, particularly civil registry documents. As such, the State shall enforce a 
lifetime validity on birth records certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all national government 
agencies that require the submission of a birth record certified by the PSA for the delivery 
of government services and issuance of documents.
SEC. 4. Prohibition on the Requirement of Submitting a Birth Certificate Certified 
by the PSA ivithin the Past Six (6) Month. - Government agencies are prohibited from 
requiring applicants to government services to submit birth records printed on the most 
recent version of the security paper used by PSA, or certified within the past six months. 
The birth certificate certified and issued by the PSA shall not expire and shall be 
considered valid: Provided, That the birth records do not require administrative 
corrections as provided under Republic Act No. 9048 and 10172.


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SEC. 5. Implementing Rules ami Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the PSA shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations 
necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Appraised,