What to Do When Your Middle Name Doesn’t Appear on Your Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is an important document for verifying one’s identity. It is required in most transactions with private or public offices. For example, travel applications, employment, school enrollment, and claims approval all require a birth certificate. 

But what if there are mistakes or corrections on your PSA birth certificate, like a missing middle name? Are you allowed to modify the contents of your birth certificate? Luckily, it is possible by filing a supplemental report.

Here’s what you can do to add your missing middle name and other information to your birth certificate.

Supplemental Report: What is It and Why is It Important?

A supplemental report is used to supply information that has been accidentally omitted in a civil registry document during registration. It is the main requirement to fill in a missing middle name on your birth certificate.

The type of supplemental report to be filed depends on the applicant’s status as a child under the law. 

• If the applicant is a legitimate child

If no middle name on your birth certificate appears, you need to file a supplemental report for the missing information using your given first name and your father’s last name. 

• If the applicant is illegitimate but acknowledged by the father

In this case, the petitioner needs to file a supplemental report for the missing middle name using his or her mother’s last name.

In case the child has no middle name and has his mother’s last name written on the last name field in his birth certificate, an AUSF (Authority to Use the Surname of the Father) may be filed at the LCR by presenting the following requirements:

• Private Handwritten Instrument (PHI)
• AUSF (the AUSF form will be provided by the LCR)
• If the applicant is illegitimate and not acknowledged by the father

In this instance, there is no need to supply the missing middle name, as the petitioner will be using his or her given name and his or her mother’s last name.

Who May File a Supplemental Report

You can only file a supplemental report if you are at least 18 years old. Apart from the document owner, the report may also be filed by the applicant’s: 

• spouse
• children
• parents
• siblings
• grandparents
• legal guardian
• relative or any other person that may be authorized by law to file the report

Where to File a Supplemental Report

The venue for filing a supplemental report depends on the applicant’s birthplace. Here is a quick guide: 

• Applicants Born in the Philippines

The supplemental report must be filed at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) in the city or municipality where the birth was registered.

• Applicants Born Abroad

Applicants who are born and currently living outside the Philippines, whether legitimate or illegitimate, must file a supplemental report with the Philippine Consulate. 

Meanwhile, legitimate children born outside the Philippines but are currently living in the Philippines must directly coordinate with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the birth was reported.

Illegitimate children born outside the Philippines but are currently living in the Philippines must file through the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Office of Consular Affairs.

Documentary Requirements

When filing a supplementary report, remember to bring the following documentary requirements, together with their original copies:

• Three photocopies of the applicant’s PSA birth certificate showing the missing information
• Photocopy of the data page of the applicant’s passport (for applicants filing with the Philippine Consulate)
• Three photocopies of any three of the following IDs:
• Passport
• Baptismal Certificate
• Voter's ID
• Voter's Certificate
• Driver's License
• School ID
• School Records, Transcript of Records, or Diploma
• NBI or Police Clearance
• Company ID
• Employment Record
• Medical Records
• Other public or private documents or IDs that support the correction sought

Procedure for Filing a Supplementary Report

Once you have all the necessary documents, you may proceed with the filing process. Note that applicants born in the Philippines follow a different procedure from those born abroad. 

For Applicants Born in the Philippines

• Proceed to the LCRO and submit the documentary requirements.
• Next, pay the filing fees at the cashier.
• The LCRO will review the documents and assess if there are discrepancies that need to be corrected or any missing documents that need to be presented.
• If the documents are complete, the LCRO will prepare the supplemental report and affidavit for the supplemental report. 
• The LCRO will then issue copies of the supplemental report and an affidavit for the supplemental report. From there, you will need to proceed to the PSA provincial office in your area, present the supplemental report, and seek an endorsement of the document to the Office of the Civil Registrar General.
• Upon securing the endorsement, send a copy of the supplemental report, affidavit for the supplemental report, and endorsement letter to the Office of the Civil Registrar General through any of the official couriers (JRS, LBC, or DHL). Be sure to keep the receipt of the transaction. 
• After three working days, proceed to the Office of the Civil Registrar General at PSA Complex, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City to verify if the omitted entry has been supplied on your birth certificate. Be sure to bring with you the courier transaction receipt, your personal copy of the supplemental report, and your old PSA birth certificate. 

For Applicants Born Abroad

• Proceed to the appropriate Philippine Consulate and submit the required documents. 
• The Consular Officer will review the documents and assess if there are discrepancies that need to be corrected or any missing documents that need to be presented.
• If the documents are complete, you will be asked to pay the filing fees at the cashier. 
• The Consulate will then prepare the supplemental report and affidavit for the supplemental report.
• Next, copies of the supplemental report and an affidavit for the supplemental report will be issued to you. From there, the Consular Officer will advise you on the additional steps you need to take.

Note that the LCRO or Consulate will only accept a supplemental report containing not more than two omitted entries. If there are more than two missing entries, you may need to coordinate with the Office of the Civil Registrar General and submit additional documents.

Certify that You're the Real Deal

A birth certificate is a must-have document when entering into transactions. Hence, it is important to address any corrections or missing details on your birth certificate as soon as you discover them. With the steps discussed above, you can now resolve any issues regarding a missing middle name on your birth certificate.

If you need a copy of your PSA birth certificate, you can process it in person at the nearest PSA Civil Registry System Outlet. If you prefer a hassle-free online application, just go to PSAHelpline.ph and conveniently place an order!