How to Get Birth and Marriage Certificates: Ms. R to Mrs. G

Do you want a copy of my marriage certificate?

I've been married only two years but I've already submitted more than 15 copies of my marriage certificate to various private and government offices. These copies are all printed on security paper and issued by the National Statistics Office. If I include the ones I gave to companies and agencies that only required photocopies, the number will increase to around 30.

Some agencies and offices that required my marriage certificate:
1. Social Security System
2. PhilHealth
3. Land Transportation Office - Driver's License Renewal/Change of Name
3. Banks (6)
4. Embassies - Visa Applications (6)
5. Department of Foreign Affairs - Passport Renewal

The official transition from Ms. R to Mrs. G was and is not that easy.

2 WAYS TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE PHILIPPINES:

1. ON-LINE/THRU PHONE

You can order the documents you need from www.ecensus.gov.ph or Pilipinas Teleserv, Inc.

E-Census is managed by the National Statistics Office while Teleserv is run by a private company. From my experience, both are very reliable. I tried E-Census for my husband's birth certificate and Teleserv for my passport renewal.

E-Census

• Type-in the data in their website
• Pay the fee in any of the accredited banks
  
• Delivery within 5 to 9 days (Processing - 3 working days; Delivery - 2 to 6 working days)
• PRICE: P315 for Birth or Marriage Certificate and P415 for Certificate of Non-Marriage

Teleserv

• Call the hotline (737-1111) and dictate the necessary information to the agent
• Pay the fee in any of the accredited banks or through Bancnet
• Delivery within 4 working days (from date of payment)
  
• PRICE: P330 for Birth or Marriage Certificate and P430 for Certificate of Non-Marriage
  

I personally prefer Teleserv's services even if they are slightly more expensive than E-census. I like the fact that I can call them 24/7 to follow-up my order. They will also deliver your documents in just 4 working days.

2. PERSONAL APPEARANCE IN NSO

• Go to any of the NSO Satellite Centers (Check the list here --Satellite Centers)
• Submit your application form (Download the forms here -- Forms)
• Pay the fee
• Get the documents within 2-3 hours
• PRICE: P140 for Birth or Marriage Certificate

M, one of my household crew, went to NSO this morning to get copies of my marriage (4 copies) and birth (2 copies) certificate. At P140 each, that's only P840! Compare that to the P1,980 I would have spent if I ordered them online. I was also able to get the documents on the same day.

TIPS:

• Print-out and fill-up the forms (download them online) before going to the NSO office.
• If you will be sending a representative to get your birth certificate, make sure that person is armed with your authorization letter and your I.D.
• Ask your representative to bring his or her own I.D. too.
  

SAMPLE AUTHORIZATION LETTER:

09 January 2009

NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE
Office of the Civil Registrar General
National Statistics Office
East Avenue, Quezon City

Dear Sir/Madame:

I am Mrs. G, the owner of the birth certificate and marriage certificate being requested by M. I am authorizing Ms. M to request and receive the said documents in my behalf.

Attached to this letter is a photocopy of a valid I.D. bearing my photograph and signature. The original of the said I.D. is with Ms. M for your verification.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. G