Legitimation of a Child in the Philippines: How Many Copies of the Birth Certificate Are Needed?

How many copies of a child's birth certificate are needed for child legitimation in the Philippines?

Legitimation is a legal process in the Philippines that grants legitimacy to a child born out of wedlock, provided the parents subsequently marry and certain conditions are met. This process is crucial for the child's legal status and inheritance rights. One essential document in this process is the child's birth certificate. Here's what you need to know about how many copies are required and other related details:

Importance of the Birth Certificate

The birth certificate serves as an official record of the child's birth and parentage. It is a fundamental document in the legitimation process because it provides proof of the child's identity and the parents' relationship to the child.

Number of Copies Needed

For the purpose of child legitimation, you typically need at least three (3) certified true copies of the child's birth certificate. These copies are used for various steps in the legal process:

1. Application for Legitimation: One copy will be submitted with the application for legitimation, which is filed at the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) of the city or municipality where the child was born.
2. Processing with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA): Another copy may be required by the PSA for their records and for updating the child's status in the national database.
3. Personal Records: It is advisable to keep at least one certified true copy for personal records and for any future legal or administrative needs.

Steps in the Legitimation Process

1. Marriage of Parents: The first step in the legitimation process is the subsequent marriage of the biological parents. The marriage should be valid and recognized under Philippine law.
2. Filing of Affidavit of Legitimation: The parents must execute an Affidavit of Legitimation, which includes details such as the date and place of their marriage and a declaration that they were free to marry each other at the time of the child's birth and at the time of the marriage.
3. Submission to Local Civil Registrar: The Affidavit of Legitimation, along with the required copies of the birth certificate, is submitted to the Local Civil Registrar. The LCR will annotate the birth certificate with the fact of legitimation.
4. Forwarding to PSA: The Local Civil Registrar forwards the annotated birth certificate to the PSA for inclusion in the national records.

Additional Considerations

• Legitimation by Subsequent Marriage: This process applies only if the parents were free to marry each other at the time of the child's birth and have subsequently married each other.
• Updated Birth Certificate: After the legitimation process is completed, the child's birth certificate will be annotated to reflect the change in status. Parents can request additional copies of the updated birth certificate from the PSA.

Conclusion

For child legitimation in the Philippines, having at least three certified true copies of the child's birth certificate is crucial. These copies facilitate the process at various stages, from the local civil registrar to the national level with the PSA. Ensuring that you have the correct documents and following the prescribed steps will help in successfully legitimating your child, thereby securing their legal rights and status.