It’s now easier to ask for corrections in first names and typographical errors under Republic Act No. 9048, which took effect on 22 April 2001. Under this law, the city or municipal civil registrar (or the consul general) may correct a clerical or typographical error in an entry, or change the first name or nickname in the civil register without need of a court order. The law characterizes “clerical or typographical error” as:
xxx a mistake committed in the performance of clerical work in writing, copying, transcribing or typing an entry in the civil register that is harmless and innocuous, such as misspelled name or misspelled place of birth or the like, which is visible to the eyes or obvious to the understanding, and can be corrected or changed only by reference to other existing record or records: Provided, however, That no correction must involve the change of nationality, age, status or sex of the petitioner.
Based on this characterization, there’s a wide discretion in interpreting what constitutes a clerical or typographical error. There’s no definite list and an applicant may show through documents that a particular entry – except nationality, age, status or sex – is erroneous. In one case, the SC noted that the changes sought (surname of the son, the date of the parents’ wedding and the informant’s name) are substantial changes an not merely clerical errors.
Update: Thank you to some who took time to answer some of the questions. Considering that there are unanswered questions and because I don’t have the luxury of time, we shall try to address the issues through the Q&A here. This will be updated from time to time to address new issues. Please go through the questions before posting a query (and please remember that this is a discussion, so feel free to address the issues).
Does this law cover other errors?
Many have errors in the surname, gender (i.e., male or female), birth date, age, nationality (e.g., Filipino), status (single, married) reflected in the entries appearing at the civil registrar. These substantial matters are not covered by this law. Corrections covering these matters require a petition to be filed in court.
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Tinkering with internet tools comes with the bonus of better understanding how existing laws apply to the third wave - that of technology, particularly the internet. This is also a great medium to disseminate and discuss ideas across borders, time, color or creed. 
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hello,
i need to have a passport because im planning to go to russia,but i found out that im not register at OLongapo City where i used to stay and the NSO staff here at Olongapo advice me to go to easter samar my place of birth.but my cousin says that i have no record at eastern samar so i have no idea where can i get my NSO birthcertificate.please help me…can you kindly email me at my email smhilei06@yahoo.com for your answer..thank you..
Dear Sir:
Many times, i attempt to get my passport but DFA discover that my date of birth in Birth Certificate is not the same with my Marriage Contract..What should i do and how much its cost to change it..thanks
Dear Atty. Fred,
Hi! My kids father is a foreign citizen from Taiwan. I have his translation from Taiwan that he had changed his first name. The birth certificate of my kids have their father’s old first name ( need to change first name). I tried going to Manila City Hall for this problem. But they only told me to ask lawyers.They do not know how to process it because the father is a foreigner.I tried asking help from the lawyers in Manila City Hall, they gave me a price of 50,000 only for PUBLICATION, others they still do not know how much should I pay for the hearings and others which they said would also take 6 months to one year or more.
Sir, I only want to change the first name of the father which is a foreigner. Please help Thank You.
dear atty fred,
please help me to my problem, ang bc ko kasi maraming error una ung middle name ko ay mali sa nso copy ko, im using my name since i start school in grade my name is (cleare dinolan gonzaga) tapos sa nso copy ko ay (cleare dionaldo gonzaga) ano dapat kong gawin dito? ang panaglawa ay may missing entry po yong bc ko wala akong (pob) place of birth at pangatlo ay wala ako gender….. paano ko ito malulutas sir sana matulongan nyo po ako sa problema ko…… ask lng if macorrect man ang (bc) birthcertificate ko magkano yong magastos. PLEASE EMAIL ME HERE CLEARE_GONZAGA@YAHOO.COM
GOD BLESS YOU
CLEARE
PAHABOL
MAKAAPPLY PA BA AKO ULIT NG LATE REGITERED SA LCR SIR?
sir, i’d like to use my maiden name.is dropping of married name covered by r.a. 9048. thank you
Good day! The first name that appears in my baptismal certificate is Roy Nino while in my birth certificate it is only Roy. I have been using my baptismal name in my early years in school but when i found out that my registered first name with NSO is only Roy, I started using it in my college registration. Now that I am getting married, I have to address the problem since the church is quite strict about these things. What actions do I have to take? I hope you can help me with this. Thanks.
Hello!! and good day to everyone. My problem is simple but tough to take actions for solutions. I want a clarifications since theres a new law about changing “Clerical or typographical error” under RA 9048. I am Male but it is written in the birth certificate that im female but since then in elemnetary i used male. Im planning to go abroad next year for a family visitation and I want to fix this problembefore that day. I heard about this new law RA 9048 is it changing gender is part of this law since it the clerk who made the made mistake in the certification. What should i do? Anyone can help me about this problem.PLEASE ITS URGENT. Kindly send me messages for your replies about my problem (ktatskie@hotmail.com) i hope someone who has the good heart to help me about this conflicts and for follow up questions that i have. Again, good day to everyone. Thank you!
Dear Sir,
What could be the implication if i decide to have my child assume my first name instead of my surname in his birth certificate?I find it more convenient to have him take my first name since it is better sounding and more easy to spell and pronounce.
Many Thannks,
Nio
Marami po ako problema sa birth certificate ko, unang-una po sa halip na female ako, male po ang nakaregister. Pangalawa po, sa halip na Dologuin ang middle name ko, Duluguin po ang nakaregister at ang huli po hindi po kasi kasal ang parents ko pero sa birth certificate ko po kasal sila. Ano po ba ang dpat kong gawin at saan po dapat ba akong lumapit. Matagal ko na po itong problema, Sana po may magandang loob na makatulong sa akin. Email me at winen0523@yahoo.com.
Sir ask ko lang mali po yung gender ko ang nakalagay ay F eh male po ako ano po bang magandang gawin? kasam po ba ito sa RA 9048?
Maraming salamat
Good Day po!
Would like to inquire kung kelan po ba nabigyan ng authority ang Mayor na mag solemnize ng marriage?
Thank you po.
sir,
Goodmorning this is ether from cavite i would like to ask if theres any publishing company or tabloids that can afford to published my name… i check some of tabloids its so expensive do you have any idea i hope you can help me sir plss we dont have enough money na to spend to much….
Dear Atty. Fred,
Good day! I would like to know what we should do to correct my husband’s name. In his birth certificate, he was registered as Armando; in his baptismal certificate, it’s Alejandro, but in all other documents like school records, Driver’s License, SSS, Marriage Contract, etc., he is using Alexander, which he has been using since childhood. What should we do to correct this. We would appreciate it if you could advise us on what to do. Thank you very much.
Good day Sir,
I would like to ask some question about my problem,kasi po as of now ang gingamit kong name ay wilfredo, nung kumuha ako ng birth certificate sa NSO ay wala akong pangalan last name lang po ang nakalagay pati b-day ko mali din po..sa ngayon july 1 ang gamit ko,ang naka lagay sa NSO june 30
since pagka bata ko maging sa lahat ng document ko like SSS,License,etc
ganun na po ang gamit ko…sakop po b ako ng RA 9048? ano po dapat komg gawin?thanks and more power…