Petition to Correct My Mispelled Surname in Birth Certificate is GRANTED!

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It's one of those things that I should have done eons ago but didn't because there was no need (yet). Then I went to law school and the prospect of taking the bar later on looms in the horizon. Then I have to get a passport for future work-related travels. With all these, the need to correct a clerical typo in my birth certificate becomes top priority.

It took less than two months. If you can recall I wrote about my experience regarding my problems with a clerical typo in my family name entry in the birth certificate. I filed my petition in my birthplace first week of April (2014).

I didn't have much time so I booked for a flight to my birth place for a 3-day visit. I arrived on a Sunday so I can have time to familiarize myself with the city which I am visiting for the first time since birth!

I rushed to the Civil Registrar's Office in Zamboanga DN early in the morning. I was there the day before that but the officer in charge of the petition was on leave. Knowing that my flight back to Manila is on the 9th, I know a miracle had to happen that day otherwise, I would have to rebook my flight and book additional nights in the hotel perhaps until April 11 and that would mean additional costs.

The night before I prayed hard, really hard. I had to summon all the positive vibes in the universe (haha) to help me out so I's be able to accomplish my goal the next day. The next day, I woke up with only one thing in mind: "Petition should be filed with no hitch today, by hook or by crook." I was confident because I knew I have all the needed documents in hand. 

Indeed, the heavens smiled at me that day because the person in charge of the petition returned to work.  I was given a list of what I need to do, to submit, then I paid some fees at the Cashier (P1000 plus). Since I have all my documents ready, I was told to make two copies of each and place them in two separate folders and that's it. After submitting the two folders, the officer said that it will take at most a month to process.

 I was told that since I now reside in Manila, it would be faster if I'd be the one to forward the order with the National Statistics Office (NSO). That was really my plan so I was instructed to leave some amount for the courier costs of sending the petition order when it is approved. About last week of May 2014, I received the Order granting my petition, wow that was fast! (Note: Since I changed residency already, I inquired with the Civil Registrar Office in my current city how long it would take for my petition to be granted. I was told it would take from 6 months to A YEAR! That's why I decided to file my petition directly with the office at my birth place).

I'm just thrilled beyond belief that my birth record woes are now finally over. I felt then that knowing the bureaucratic puzzle I'd have to go through, it would take me an eternity to actually have it done. I was wrong. It also helped that the Civil Registrar Office in my birth place is one of the most efficient one having received recognition for being such.

For those planning to file their own petitions to correct an error in their birth records it would help to get the opinion of a lawyer so you will be guided on what to do. As I've said before, correction of clear typographical errors in the entries are now administrative procedure so you won't have to go to the courts anymore. You may also check out NSO page on this subject matter.

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How to Correct a Clerical Error in a Birth Certificate Without a Lawyer