Declaration of Policy
- Establish an effective system for providing civil registry documents to all citizens.
- Promote efficiency by removing duplicative processes regarding issuance and use of these documents.
- Enforce permanent validity of certificates/videos issued/authenticated by PSA, NSO, local civil registries, and Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
Permanent Validity of Certificates
- Certificates of live birth, death, and marriage issued/signed/authenticated by PSA, NSO, and local civil registries have permanent validity, regardless of issuance date.
- Recognized and accepted in all government/private transactions requiring proof of identity and legal status.
- Conditions: document must be intact, readable, and contain authenticity/security features.
- Subject to administrative or judicial corrections per specific RA laws such as RA 9858, RA 9048, RA 10172, and RA 9255.
- Permanent validity of marriage certificates applies only if not judicially annulled or declared void.
- Illegible, corrected, or updated certificates must be duly submitted.
- Applies also to reports registered and issued by Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
Issuance of Copies and Reports
- Individuals or authorized representatives may secure copies of civil registry documents as often as necessary.
- Subject to applicable fees by PSA, local civil registries, Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
- Initial issuance, replacement due to loss/damage, and reissuance upon presentation of Certificate of Indigency from DSWD are free of charge.
- Certificate of Indigency must be based on the DSWD Listahanan for subsequent reissuances.
Prohibition on Requiring New Copies
- Government agencies, gov’t corporations, local government units, private companies, educational institutions and other entities cannot require newer copies if a valid certificate is presented.
Submission of Other Documents
- Submission of PSA-authenticated birth certificate does not preclude additional supporting documents.
- Especially applicable for special cases: dual citizens, persons with dissolved marriages, late registrations.
Civil Registry Database and Virtual Viewing Facility
- PSA, with DICT, to develop a civil registry database and virtual viewing facility within 6 months.
- Facility will verify authenticity of certificates and reports.
- Access controlled and confidential in accordance with Data Privacy Act and Child and Youth Welfare Code.
- PSA may charge reasonable fees for usage.
- PSA to continually upgrade and digitize civil registry database and streamline data registration processes.
Penalties for Violations
- Violators of the prohibition on requiring new certificate copies face imprisonment from 1 month and 1 day up to 6 months, or fines ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000, or both.
- Public officials committing violations face additional temporary disqualification from public office.
- Corporations held liable through responsible officials/partners/employees involved in unlawful acts.
- "Fixers" facilitating transactions for pecuniary gain subject to criminal liability under Anti-Red Tape Act.
Appropriations
- Initial implementation funded from PSA's current year appropriations.
- Subsequent funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- National Statistician, coordinating with DFA, DICT, and Philippine Association of Civil Registrars to promulgate implementing rules within 60 days.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity or unconstitutionality of any provision does not affect other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, orders, and issuances are repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- Law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.