How to Correct Birth Certificate Clerical Entry Errors Without a Lawyer

I know many people have problems with misspellings or typo errors in their birth certificates and I feel your pain. The horror of finding out your surname is misspelled in your record of birth is enough to ruin my day and make me skip my winged eyeliner. Seriosly though, it has caused me several problems when processing my official documents like passport, which made me decide to do something about it.

I'm not gonna give any lawyerly advise on the subject because I am not a lawyer. I'd simply be sharing what I've gone through in this process so you will have an idea if you are in similar predicament.

A missing letter

I never thought missing a single letter from a family name can bring me such an unfortunate series of events. Imagine having to deal with it in your passport and then even bar application. I've been using my real (correct) family name all my life. I came to know of this wrinkle-causing aberration when I got an NSO copy of my birth record a few years back.

Having studied Special Proceedings (Specpro) and loved the course (of the course), I know my issue with the surname typo falls under RA 9048. Under this law, the process becomes administrative. I didn't feel the need to file a petition until an opportunity came requiring me to travel abroad, all expense paid, yey!

Now I have to face the grim task of straightening out a mistake that the typist should have done her/himself with a simple snowflake years back. See, my passport bore the same typo because it merely followed what was shown on the birth certificate.

The documents needed

Prior to filing this petition for the correction of my birth record, I obtained all the originals NSO documents which show my real family name. I got my father's birth certificate, the marriage contract of my parents, and all other documents showing my real surname. I even took the effort to fine the baptismal records, school records, and anything I can get my hands on because I ain't taking any chances. I had them photocopied but I'll be bringing the originals as well when I file the petition.

Where to file?

See I was born in a city far, far away and my sole claim is based solely on the fact that the stork delivered me there. The parents since left the area. With this background, I have two options either file it with Local Civil Registrar's Office (LCRO) of the city I am now residing or at my birthplace. Indeed, it is more convenient to just file it with LCRO near me right? Yes, but there is one catch,  the process will take anywhere from 6 months to a year! Oh dear, I don't have that much time.

I was told by the lady at the LCRO that it's possible to get it done in less the time if I file it with the Civil Registrar of my birthplace. It will probably take at most 3 months with the publication and all. This is why I'd be flying off to my far far, away birthplace in the coming days, and visit other cities along the way just so my trip will be more productive.

Do I need a lawyer?

A lawyer's assistance would be good in case you have zero knowledge on how to go about the process of filing a petition. Since I am a law student, I guess that took off some of the burden since I have some background on how to do it. In case you have questions, the best thing to do is go to your local Civil Registrar and inquire in person.

I'll update you on what happens next, but the positivist in me believes it will be done is the least amount of time. Time is gold, so the sooner, the better.

The Blogger

A former law student from Manila, Philippines who is living a minimalist life. Don't forget to like us on Facebook.

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My Petition for Correction of Entry (Misspelled Surname) was GRANTED