A birth certificate is a record documenting the birth of a child, and is probably the most important document you’ll ever need. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to get your PSA birth certificate online (formerly NSO birth certificate), from the comforts of your home or office.
In the past, getting a birth certificate involves going to the local civil registrar and asking for a copy. Nowadays, you will need to request your birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Before 2014, birth certificates can be acquired from the National Statistics Office (NSO). The NSO was later merged into the PSA due to Republic Act 10625, and from then onward, the PSA became the government agency responsible for the issuance of birth certificates.
What is a Birth Certificate and Why Do You Need It?
The Philippine Statistics Authority defines a birth certificate as a vital record that documents the birth of a child. The term “birth certificate” refers to either the original document with information about the birth, or the certified true copy or representation of the registration of birth. Throughout this article, we shall refer to the birth certificate as the certified true copy of the original registration of birth.
When a child is born, the doctor or attending physician files a report or record of the birth with the local civil registrar. The certificate is also signed and sealed by the registrar or the custodian of the birth records. The local civil registrar stores the birth certificate and issues certified copies of it when requested. The birth certificate is then archived at the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The birth certificate contains important information such as the complete name of the child, date and time of birth, place of birth, sex or gender, and the names of the parents.
So why do you need a PSA birth certificate and not one from the local civil registrar? With all the cases of fraud, forgery and identity theft happening these days, many government agencies and institutions are now requiring only the latest or most recent PSA birth certificates. This is because the PSA changes the security paper of its documents from time to time in order to deter or discourage forgers.
The PSA birth certificate (or NSO birth certificate) is an important document in:
- applying for or renewing your passport,
- becoming a Social Security System (SSS) member,
- applying for a job,
- starting a new business,
- enrolling in school or university,
- and many more!
The PSA birth certificate is considered an officially recognized identity document of the highest order. So we recommend that you get one for yourself because you’ll never know when you will need it. Birth certificates have no expiration dates but we suggest that you get a new one at least once a year. After all, getting a PSA birth certificate is easy, convenient and inexpensive, especially if done online.
How to Apply for a PSA Birth Certificate Online
There are two ways to get a PSA or NSO birth certificate online: PSA Serbilis, which is the official online facility of the Philippine Statistics Authority, and PSAHelpline.ph (formerly NSOHelpline.com).
So which one should you choose? There’s not much difference between the two, aside from the fact that PSAHelpline.ph delivers a little bit quicker than PSA Serbilis but at a higher cost. PSA Serbilis also delivers outside the Philippines, something that PSAHelpline.ph doesn’t offer at the moment.
You can check out the differences in this table:
| Service | Total fee | Delivery time (Metro Manila) | Delivery time (other cities/provinces) | Delivery time (outside Philippines) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Serbilis | ₱330 | 3-5 working days | 4-9 working days | 6-8 weeks |
| PSAHelpline.ph | ₱365 | 2-7 working days | 2-7 working days | None |
If you’re outside Metro Manila and you want your birth certificate delivered faster, you can opt for PSAHelpline.ph.
PSA Birth Certificate Request via PSA Serbilis
PSA Serbilis is the online facility of the Philippine Statistics Authority, and handles requests for the issuance of civil registry records such as birth certificates and marriage certificates, as well as the certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR).
Step 1: Visit the PSA Serbilis website
Open the PSA Serbilis website at https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph. Click the “Click here to request now” button as indicated in the screenshot below.
Step 2: Read the Terms and Conditions
On the next page, read the terms and conditions carefully. If you agree with the terms, click the I Accept button.
Step 3: Enter your contact and delivery information
Fill out the form with details such as the requester’s name, delivery address, phone number, email address, and tax identification number (optional). Click Next after you’ve filled out all the required information. Required fields are indicated by a red asterisk (*).
A popup window will appear showing the information that you entered. Click Confirm to continue to the next step. Otherwise, click Change/Edit to make changes.
Step 4: Choose “Birth Certificate”
Click the button that says “Birth Certificate.” Answer the questions on the next page with a “yes” or “no.” Click Next.
Fill out the request form, as honestly and accurately as possible. Required fields are indicated by a red asterisk (*).
Once you’re finished, click the Save button.
A popup window will appear asking you to confirm that all your details are correct. Review the information you’ve entered, checking for any errors or inaccuracies. If you made a mistake, click the Change/Edit button. Otherwise, click Confirm to proceed with the request.
Step 5: Submit your request
If you have another birth certificate or civil registry document to request, you can do so by clicking the corresponding button. Don’t worry, all the information you’ve submitted are already saved.
If you wish to view or edit a request, just click the View/Edit icon next to the “Amount Due” column. You can also delete your request.
Click the Submit button to complete your request.
Step 6: Print the page and make a payment
Congratulations! You have successfully requested your PSA birth certificate. Print two (2) copies of the acknowledgement page by clicking the Print link. Keep a copy for your personal records and give the other one to the bank teller when you make the payment.
An acknowledgement message is also sent to your email. You can print this email instead if you cannot print the acknowledgement page, or if you want to print it later.
PSA Serbilis has several payment options:
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB)
- BDO (over-the-counter or online banking)
- UnionBank (over-the-counter or online banking)
- Bayad Center
- BDO Remit
- Foreign correspondent banks
Click here for more information about the payment options and how to pay for your PSA birth certificate.
Step 7: Wait for delivery
Your PSA birth certificate will be delivered in 3-5 working days after payment for Metro Manila residents and 4-9 working days for other cities and provinces. It will take 6-8 weeks for foreign addresses.
To check the status of your PSA or NSO birth certificate, go to the PSA Serbilis homepage and enter your Batch Request Number on the lower right portion of the screen. You can see if a copy of your birth certificate was found and that it will be delivered to you.
PSA Birth Certificate Request via PSAHelpline.ph
PSAHelpline.ph is a service of Pilipinas Teleserv, a local contact center, and was originally launched in 2000 as NSOHelpline.com. Through PSAHelpline.ph, you can request for a PSA or NSO birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, or CENOMAR. It has a 24/7 hotline where you can call (02)737-1111 for questions regarding your documents and requests.
Step 1: Visit the PSAHelpline.ph website
Open the PSAHelpline.ph website at https://psahelpline.ph. Click Order Now at the top of the page. On the next page, click Birth Certificate.
Step 2: Choose the purpose of your birth certificate
Select whether you need the PSA birth certificate for passport/travel, employment abroad, local employment, school requirements, claims/benefits/loans, or embassy purposes.
Step 3: Fill out the birth certificate application form
Enter your personal information in the birth certificate application form, including your complete name, gender, birthday, birthplace, father’s name, and mother’s complete name. Click Continue once you’re done.
If you’ve made any mistakes, you can click your browser’s back button to edit your information. This is applicable to all steps in the order process.
Step 4: Answer the following question
If your birth certificate was involved in legal proceedings in the past, such as correction of entry, adoption or legitimation, choose the appropriate button as shown in the page. Otherwise, click None.
Step 5: Enter the name of the requester
Enter the complete name of the requester. If you’re requesting for yourself, choose “Owner of the certificate” in the drop-down box. Click Submit.
Step 6: Enter your contact information and delivery address
This is where you will enter your contact information (mobile number, landline number and email address), as well as the delivery address.
You can appoint up to three representatives to receive your PSA birth certificate in case you’re not available. Your representative will need to present a letter of authorization, his/her valid ID, and your valid ID.
Tick the checkbox next to “I certify that all the information I’ve provided is true and correct.” Click Continue to proceed.
Step 7: Make a payment
Congratulations! You have successfully requested your PSA birth certificate. Write down or save your Reference Number as you will need this for the payment.
You will also receive an email with information about your order. The email also contains a link to the payment page.
Choose between online or over-the-counter payment channels. Click your desired payment option for the instructions on how to pay for your PSA birth certificate.
Available payment modes are:
- Credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
- GCash
- Metrobank
- Security Bank
- Bayad Center
- 7-Eleven ECPay
- Bancnet ATM
Step 8: Wait for delivery
Your PSA birth certificate will be delivered within 2-7 working days.
To check the status of your PSA or NSO birth certificate, click the Check Status link at the top of every page and enter your Reference Number.
Final Words
Getting a birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority is so easy and convenient these days. All you need is a computer and a reliable Internet connection, and you will have your birth certificate delivered right at your doorstep.
If you need your PSA birth certificate urgently or if you want to save on fees, you can get it from a PSA Serbilis Center. You will get your birth certificate within the day or the next working day. It will cost you only ₱155. Just bring a valid ID and a duly-accomplished application form (which you can also get from the PSA Serbilis Center for free).
We hope that you find this guide useful. If you have any questions or clarifications, just comment below. Please don’t forget to share this article with your friends or like us on Facebook.
