How to File a Petition for Change of First Name
Under Republic Act No. 9048, any person may petition to change their first name or nickname in the civil registry through an administrative process at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO), without the need for a court order. This law allows a Filipino citizen to adopt a different first name for specific valid grounds recognized by the statute. The petition is filed directly with the City or Municipal Civil Registrar, making the process more accessible, faster, and significantly less expensive than a judicial proceeding. This guide provides a complete step-by-step walkthrough of the entire petition process, the documents you need, the fees involved, valid grounds for a name change, and practical tips to ensure a smooth filing.
Change of First Name at a Glance
Estimated Cost
Approximately P3,000 total: P1,000 filing fee at the LCRO + ~P500 newspaper publication fee + notarization costs + PSA copy of birth certificate (P155). Additional costs may apply for NBI clearance and other supporting documents.
Timeline
1 to 4 months for the LCRO to process and approve the petition (including publication and waiting periods), plus an additional 2 to 3 months for the PSA to update their central records with the approved name change.
Key Fact
RA 9048 allows the administrative change of first name or nickname without a court petition. Important: only ONE petition for change of first name is allowed per person in a lifetime. A second change must go through the courts.
Warning: Change of First Name vs. Correction of Errors
Republic Act No. 9048 covers BOTH the change of first name and the correction of clerical or typographical errors, but they are different types of petitions with different requirements and fees. Correction of errors (Section 1 of RA 9048) is for fixing misspellings or typographical mistakes in the civil registry -- for example, correcting "Joze" to "Jose." Change of first name (Section 4 of RA 9048) is for adopting an entirely different first name -- for example, changing "Rosalinda" to "Rosa." A person can avail of each type of petition only once under the administrative process. If your issue is a misspelling, refer to the Correction of Errors guide instead.
Valid Grounds for Change of First Name
Under Section 4 of RA 9048, the City or Municipal Civil Registrar may approve a petition for change of first name only if the petitioner can establish at least one of the following grounds:
Ground 1
Ridiculous, Tainted, or Difficult
The first name or nickname is ridiculous, tainted with dishonor, or extremely difficult to write or pronounce. This includes names that invite ridicule, are associated with shame or dishonor, or contain unusual characters or spellings that make them nearly impossible to pronounce or spell correctly.
Ground 2
Habitually and Continuously Used
The new first name or nickname has been habitually and continuously used by the person, and the person has been publicly known by that first name or nickname in the community. This is the most common ground for filing and requires documentary proof of habitual use over time.
Ground 3
Avoid Confusion
The change will avoid confusion. This applies when two or more persons have the same first name, surname, and other identifying details in the same locality, causing confusion in daily transactions, legal matters, or government records. Changing the first name resolves the identity conflict.
Who Can File the Petition?
Under RA 9048, the following persons may file a petition for change of first name in the civil registry:
- The owner of the document -- the person whose first name is to be changed. The petitioner must be of legal age (at least 18 years old) at the time of filing.
- Parents of a minor -- if the person whose first name is to be changed is a minor (below 18 years old), either parent may file the petition on behalf of the child.
- Any person authorized by the owner -- through a duly notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA). The authorized representative can file and follow up on the petition on behalf of the document owner.
- If the owner is abroad -- the petition may be filed through the nearest Philippine Consulate or Embassy, or the owner may execute a Special Power of Attorney authenticated by the Philippine Consulate authorizing a representative in the Philippines to file the petition.
Requirements for Change of First Name Petition
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Petition Form (RA 9048 - Petition for Change of First Name) | The official petition form provided by the LCRO. Must be completely filled out, stating the current registered first name, the desired new first name, and the specific ground for the change. Must be signed and notarized or sworn before the civil registrar. |
| Certified PSA Copy of Birth Certificate | Original certified true copy on security paper (SECPA) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, showing the current registered first name. Cost: P155 per copy from PSA Serbilis or PSAHelpline.ph. |
| At Least 2 Public/Official Documents Showing Habitual Use of Desired Name | Documents that prove the petitioner has been known by the desired first name. Acceptable examples include: school records (Form 137, diploma, transcript), baptismal certificate, employment records (company ID, certificate of employment), government IDs (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, UMID), and voter's registration record. |
| Affidavit of Two (2) Disinterested Persons | Joint or individual notarized affidavits from at least two (2) disinterested persons (not relatives within the 4th civil degree) attesting that the petitioner has been habitually and publicly known by the desired first name in the community. |
| NBI Clearance or Police Clearance | National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance or Philippine National Police (PNP) clearance to verify that the petitioner has no pending criminal case or derogatory record. NBI Clearance fee: approximately P155. Police Clearance fee: approximately P100-P150. |
| Barangay Certification of Residency | A certification from the barangay where the petitioner currently resides, confirming residency. This is required especially when the petition is filed at the LCRO of current residence rather than the place of birth registration. |
| Valid ID of Petitioner | At least one valid government-issued ID with photo and signature (e.g., Philippine passport, driver's license, PhilSys/National ID, UMID, SSS ID, voter's ID, PRC license). Original and photocopy required. |
| Community Tax Certificate (Cedula) | The Community Tax Certificate (commonly known as cedula) for the current year. This can be obtained from the City or Municipal Treasurer's Office. Fee varies based on income. |
| Filing Fee (P1,000) & Publication Fee (~P500) | The filing fee of P1,000 is paid to the LCRO upon submission of the petition. The publication fee of approximately P500 covers the cost of publishing the petition in a newspaper of general circulation for 2 consecutive weeks. Exact amounts may vary by locality. |
Step-by-Step Process for Filing a Petition
Follow these ten steps to file your petition for change of first name under RA 9048. The entire process is administrative (non-judicial), meaning you do not need to appear in court or hire a lawyer.
Determine Your Valid Ground
Before starting the process, confirm that your reason for changing your first name qualifies under one of the three valid grounds recognized by RA 9048: (1) the name is ridiculous, tainted with dishonor, or extremely difficult to write or pronounce; (2) you have been habitually and continuously known by a different first name; or (3) the change will avoid confusion. If your reason does not fall under any of these grounds, the petition will be denied.
Get a PSA Copy of Your Birth Certificate
Obtain a certified true copy of your birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This copy will show your currently registered first name. You can request this through PSA Serbilis outlets, online via PSAHelpline.ph, or by walk-in at the PSA Civil Registry Service office. The fee is P155 per copy.
Gather Supporting Documents Showing Habitual Use
Collect at least two (2) public or official documents that show you have been using the desired first name. The more documents you can provide, the stronger your petition. Acceptable documents include:
- School records (Form 137, diploma, transcript of records)
- Baptismal certificate or church records
- Employment records (company ID, certificate of employment, payslips)
- Government IDs (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, UMID, voter's ID)
- Voter's registration record
- Medical or hospital records
- Insurance policies or bank records
Go to the LCRO
Visit the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where your birth was originally registered, or the LCRO of your current place of residence or domicile. Inform the staff that you wish to file a petition for change of first name under RA 9048. They will provide you with the official petition form and a checklist of requirements specific to that office.
Tip: Filing at the LCRO where the birth was registered is generally faster because that office has direct access to the original record. Filing at your current residence is allowed but may take slightly longer due to coordination between offices.
Fill Out the RA 9048 Petition for Change of First Name
Complete the official petition form provided by the LCRO. The petition must clearly state:
- Your current registered first name (as shown on the birth certificate)
- The desired new first name you wish to adopt
- The specific ground for the change under RA 9048
- A detailed explanation supported by facts and documentary evidence
- Your complete personal information: full name, address, date and place of birth, civil status, and citizenship
The petition must be signed by the petitioner and notarized. Some LCROs allow the petition to be signed under oath before the civil registrar instead of requiring separate notarization.
Submit Petition with All Documents and Pay the P1,000 Filing Fee
Submit the completed and notarized petition form together with all supporting documents to the LCRO. The civil registrar will review your documents for completeness. If everything is in order, you will be required to pay the filing fee of P1,000. The LCRO will issue an official receipt. Keep this receipt as proof of your filing.
LCRO Publishes Petition in Newspaper
Once the petition is accepted, the LCRO will cause the publication of the petition in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks. This is a mandatory requirement under RA 9048 to give notice to the public and allow any interested party to oppose the petition. The petitioner pays the publication fee of approximately P500, though the exact amount may vary depending on the newspaper and locality.
Waiting Period and Civil Registrar Review
After the second newspaper publication, there is a mandatory 10-day waiting period during which any interested party may file an opposition to the petition. After the waiting period expires with no opposition, the City or Municipal Civil Registrar will review the petition, evaluate all supporting documents, and render a decision -- either approving or denying the petition.
If Approved, LCRO Forwards to PSA for Implementation
If the petition is approved, the Civil Registrar will issue an order granting the change of first name and annotate the birth record in the local civil registry. The LCRO will then forward the approved petition, the order, and all supporting documents to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for annotation in the central civil registry database. This process typically takes 2 to 3 months for PSA to complete.
Request a New PSA Birth Certificate to Verify the Change
After 2 to 3 months from LCRO approval, request a new PSA-issued copy of your birth certificate from any PSA Serbilis outlet or through PSAHelpline.ph. The new birth certificate should now reflect your changed first name, with an annotation indicating the change was made pursuant to RA 9048. Once you have the updated PSA copy, you can begin updating your name with other government agencies and institutions.
Complete Example: Rosa's Name Change Story
Rosa was registered at birth as "Rosalinda" in her birth certificate. However, she has been known as "Rosa" her entire life. All her school records, government IDs, and employment records consistently show "Rosa" -- not "Rosalinda." She decides to petition to officially change her first name from "Rosalinda" to "Rosa" under RA 9048, citing the ground that the name "Rosa" has been habitually and continuously used. Here is her complete timeline:
Got PSA Birth Certificate and Gathered Supporting Documents
Rosa requested a certified PSA copy of her birth certificate at a PSA Serbilis outlet (P155). She then gathered her supporting documents: her elementary school Form 137 showing "Rosa," her baptismal certificate from her parish showing "Rosa," her SSS ID showing "Rosa," and her voter's ID also showing "Rosa." All four documents consistently use "Rosa" as her first name.
Got NBI Clearance, Barangay Certification, and Affidavit
Rosa obtained her NBI Clearance (P155) and Barangay Certification of residency. She asked two co-workers (who are not related to her) to sign a joint notarized affidavit attesting that they have known her as "Rosa" for many years and that she is publicly known by that name in the community. The notarization cost P200.
Filed Petition at the LCRO
Rosa visited the LCRO where her birth was registered. She filled out the RA 9048 petition form, clearly stating that she wants to change her first name from "Rosalinda" to "Rosa" on the ground that "Rosa" has been habitually and continuously used. She submitted all her documents and paid the P1,000 filing fee. The LCRO issued her an official receipt.
Newspaper Publication Period
The LCRO arranged for the publication of Rosa's petition in a local newspaper of general circulation. The petition was published once a week for two consecutive weeks. Rosa paid the P500 publication fee. No one filed an opposition during the publication period.
Civil Registrar Approved the Petition
After the 10-day waiting period expired with no opposition, the City Civil Registrar reviewed Rosa's petition and supporting documents, found the grounds well-established, and issued an order approving the change of first name from "Rosalinda" to "Rosa." The corrected entry was annotated on the local copy of her birth certificate. The LCRO forwarded all documents to PSA for implementation.
PSA Updated Records
Approximately 2-3 months after the LCRO forwarded the documents, PSA completed the annotation in the central database. Rosa requested a new PSA birth certificate and confirmed that it now shows her first name as "Rosa" with an annotation noting the change was made pursuant to RA 9048. The entire process was complete.
Cost Summary for Rosa's Name Change
Total timeline: approximately 3-4 months from filing to receiving the updated PSA copy. Actual costs and timeline may vary by locality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my last name through RA 9048?
No. RA 9048 only allows the administrative change of first name or nickname. If you need to change your surname (last name or family name), you must file a court petition before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) under Rule 103 of the Rules of Court. Common legal reasons for changing a surname include adoption, legitimation, or recognition by a father, each of which has specific legal procedures.
Can I change my name multiple times?
No. Under RA 9048, only one petition for change of first name is allowed per person in a lifetime through the administrative process. If you need a second change of first name after the first one has been granted, you must file a judicial petition through the Regional Trial Court, which is a more lengthy and costly process.
What if my petition is denied?
If your petition is denied by the City or Municipal Civil Registrar, you have the right to appeal the denial to the Civil Registrar General (the PSA Administrator) within a reasonable period. The denial order should state the specific reason for the denial, which will help you address the issue in your appeal. Alternatively, you may pursue a judicial petition for change of name before the Regional Trial Court (RTC), although this is a more lengthy and costly process.
Do I need a lawyer to file for change of first name?
No. The RA 9048 process is an administrative process handled entirely at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO). You do not need a lawyer to file the petition, attend a court hearing, or appear before a judge. The petition is evaluated and decided by the City or Municipal Civil Registrar. However, if you encounter complications or if your petition is denied, you may choose to consult a lawyer for advice on an appeal or judicial petition.
Can I change a baby's first name?
Yes. Parents can file a petition for change of first name on behalf of their minor child (below 18 years old). Either parent may file the petition at the LCRO. The parent must present proof of their relationship to the child (such as the child's birth certificate showing parent-child relationship). The same documentary requirements and grounds under RA 9048 apply.
What is the difference between change of first name and correction of clerical error?
Both are covered under RA 9048 but serve different purposes. A change of first name (Section 4 of RA 9048) involves adopting an entirely new first name -- for example, changing "Rosalinda" to "Rosa." A correction of clerical error (Section 1 of RA 9048) involves fixing a misspelling or typographical mistake in the existing name -- for example, correcting "Joze" to "Jose." The filing fee for correction of clerical error is P1,000, while the filing fee for change of first name is also P1,000 but with additional documentary requirements. If your issue is simply a misspelling, file for correction of clerical error, not change of first name.
Important Reminders
- Only one administrative change of first name per lifetime: RA 9048 allows only one petition for change of first name through the administrative process. A second change requires a court petition. Make sure you are certain about the desired name before filing.
- Prepare all documents before visiting the LCRO: Gather all supporting documents (PSA birth certificate, NBI clearance, barangay certification, school records, employment records, affidavits) before going to the LCRO. Incomplete submissions will delay the process.
- The filing fee is non-refundable: The P1,000 filing fee and the publication fee are non-refundable even if the petition is denied. Make sure your petition is well-supported and your ground is clearly established before filing.
- Choose disinterested persons carefully: The two persons who will sign the affidavit must not be related to you within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity. They should be persons who can genuinely attest to your habitual use of the desired name.
- Follow up with PSA after LCRO approval: The LCRO forwards documents to PSA, but it may take 2-3 months for PSA to update their system. Follow up by requesting a new PSA birth certificate to verify that the change has been implemented.
- Update all other government records after the change: Once you have the updated PSA birth certificate, update your name with other agencies: passport (DFA), driver's license (LTO), voter's registration (COMELEC), PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, TIN (BIR), school records, and employer records.
- Do not use the new name in official transactions until approved: Using a name that is not yet officially changed in the civil registry may cause legal complications. Wait until the LCRO approves the petition and the PSA annotates the change before using the new name officially.
- Check with your specific LCRO for additional requirements: While the basic requirements are standard under RA 9048, individual LCROs may have additional local requirements or procedures. Always verify with the LCRO before filing.
Need Help?
Contact PSA / Civil Registry
- PSA Civil Registry Service: PSA Complex, East Avenue, Quezon City
- PSA Helpline: (02) 8737-1111
- Email: info@psa.gov.ph
- Website: www.psa.gov.ph
- PSAHelpline Online: psahelpline.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (no noon break)
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the PSA office you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest PSA office first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.