EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1281
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21 A8 Si
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Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF BIRTH 
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS 
AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A birth certificate is a vital record that establishes the birth of a child. It is an 
official form that gives details on the time and place of a person’s birth, and his or her 
name, sex and parent’s name. It is also used to authenticate one’s identity and 
nationality, and assist in obtaining government-issued identity documents such as 
passport or driver’s license. It fills in one of the basic requirements for school 
enrollment, contracting of marriage, social security coverage, and eligibility for 
government assistance or claims for financial benefits, among others.
Being permanent records of identity, a birth certificate issued by the Philippine 
Statistics Authority (PSA) has no expiration period. However, they are printed in a 
security paper in order to keep the integrity of the document. This created an 
impression that birth certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority expires 
after six (6) months from issuance, and thus, every time a person is required to 
submit a birth certificate, he/she must secure a new copy from the PSA using the 
latter’s updated security paper. In the end, this results in inconvenience and 
unnecessary expenses for ordinary Filipinos who are required to submit a birth 
certificate.
This is especially burdensome on the part of first time jobseekers who are 
required to submit a copy of their birth certificate in the course of their job 
applications. Thus, this bill prohibits government agencies from requiring the 
submission of a PSA-certified birth certificate within the past six months.
The immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1281
Mitr af He 
errurp
20 JAN 21 A8 51
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF BIRTH 
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS 
AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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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 the policy of the State to establish an effective 
system that will improve the efficiency of delivery of government frontline services, 
especially 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 Philippine 
Statistics Authority for the delivery of government services and issuance of 
documents.
SEC. 4. Prohibition on the Requirement of Submitting a Birth Certificate 
Certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority within the Past Six (6) Months. -
Government agencies shall be 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 those certified by the PSA within the past six (6) months. For 
this purpose, the birth certificate issued or certified by PSA shall not expire and shall 
be considered valid at any time; Provided, That the birth records do not require 
administrative corrections as provided under Republic Act Nos. 9048 and 10172.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, PSA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall


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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to effectively carry out the 
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. -  All acts, laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
instructions and regulations or any part thereof which are inconsistent with any 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. -  If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act 
is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions of this 
Act which are not affected shall continue in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,