Philippines Civil Registration: Difference between revisions

Local Civil Registry Offices: A copy of the records have been retained in local civil registry offices. Because many records were lost or damaged in the war, checking both the national office and local office might help find a surviving record. To write to a local office, address your letter to:

City Civil Registry

(postal code--find it here) (City)

(province), Philippines

Background[edit | edit source]

Most vital records from before 1889 come from Catholic parish and diocesan archives.
In 1889, the Spanish government created the Central Office of Statistics, which required each parish priest to give the government a detailed list of the births, marriages, and deaths in his area.
After the Philippine Revolution of 1898, the church and state became separate. Within the first few years, officials responsible for civil registration were appointed in each municipality.
In 1930, civil registration became mandatory and, in 1932, the Bureau of Census and Statistics was created to oversee all civil registration in the Philippines. It was not until 1940 that most registrations began to be recorded.

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Population coverage:

Before 1922, 20%

After 1922, 90%

Information Recorded in the Records[edit | edit source]

Births[edit | edit source]

Child’s name
Birth date and place
Parents’ names
Residence
Parents' occupation
Witnesses’ ages, relationships, residences

Marriages[edit | edit source]

Names of the bride and groom
Ages
Residences
Occupations
Marriage date and place
Sometimes ages and/or birth dates and places
Parents' names, residences, occupations
Names of witnesses
Name of officer who performed ceremony
Names of former spouses

Deaths[edit | edit source]

Name of deceased
Age
Death date and place
Occupation
Name of surviving spouse
Informant’s name and residence
Cause of death
Sometimes birth date and place
Parents’ names
Children’s names

Fetal deaths[edit | edit source]

Record of all stillbirths, includes information similar to the birth and death data shown above.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Example of a Birth Certificate

Example of a Marriage Certificate

Example of a Death Certificate

English is the official language of the Philippines. This Letter Writing Guide will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.

References[edit | edit source]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Philippines-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
+{{CountrySidebar
+|Country=Philippines
+|Name=Philippines
+|Type=Topic
+|Topic Type=Records
+|Records=Civil Registration
+|Content=Standardized
+}}{{breadcrumb
 | link1=[[Philippines Genealogy|Philippines]]
 | link2=
@@ Line 7: / Line 14: @@
 }}
+==Resources==
+===Online Resources===
+*'''1888-1986''' {{RecordSearch|1410394|Philippines Civil Registration (Local), 1888-1986}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Local) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*'''1899-1984''' {{RecordSearch|1686086|Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*'''1902-1945''' {{RecordSearch|2018411|Philippines Civil Registration (Archives Division), 1902-1945}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*'''1945-1984''' {{RecordSearch|1852584|Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1984}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (National) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+''Births''
-The records of birth, marriage and death provides important information of events in a person's life; therefore, it became necessary for legal authorities to record and keep these events in their citizens life, in formal books, for the benefit of civil and personal purposes.
+*'''1642-1994''': {{RecordSearch|1500711|Philippines Births and Baptisms}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] index only; Also at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/philippines-births-and-baptisms-1642-1994 Findmypast] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60123 Ancestry] ($), [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30062/philippines-births-baptisms-1642-1994?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($)
+*'''1706-1911''': {{RecordSearch|1935452| Philippines Civil Birth Registration (Spanish Period)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Spanish Period) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
+*'''1902-1945''': {{RecordSearch|2018411| Philippines Civil Birth Registration (Archives Division)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*[http://search.findmypast.com/results/world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-births-and-baptisms?country=philippines British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Philippines] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
+''Marriages''
+*'''1706-1911''': {{RecordSearch|1935452| Philippines Civil Marriage Registration (Spanish Period)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Spanish Period) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
+*'''1723-1957''': {{RecordSearch|1500713|Philippines Marriages}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index only; Also at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/philippines-marriages-1723-1957 Findmypast] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60130 Ancestry] ($); [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30063/philippines-marriages-1723-1957?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($)
+*'''1888-1986''': {{RecordSearch|1410394| Philippines Civil Marriage Registration (Local)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Local) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60125 Ancestry] ($)
+*'''1902-1945''': {{RecordSearch|2018411| Philippines Civil Marriage Registration (Archives Division)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*[http://search.findmypast.com/results/world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-banns-and-marriages?country=philippines British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Philippines] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
+''Deaths''
+*'''1706-1911''': {{RecordSearch|1935452| Philippines Civil Death Registration (Spanish Period)}}at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Spanish Period) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
+*'''1726-1957''': {{RecordSearch|1500714|Philippines Deaths and Burials}}at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index only; Also at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/philippines-deaths-and-burials-1726-1957 Findmypast] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60128 Ancestry] ($), [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30064/philippines-deaths-burials-1726-1957?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($)
+*'''1888-1986''': {{RecordSearch|1410394| Philippines Civil Death Registration (Local)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines Civil Registration (Local) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60125 Ancestry] ($)
+*'''1902-1945''': {{RecordSearch|2018411| Philippines Civil Death Registration (Archives Division)}} at FamilySearch — [[Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*[https://www.findmypast.com/search/results?datasetname=british+armed+forces+and+overseas+deaths+and+burials&sid=103&country=philippines British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, Philippines] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
+===Offices to Contact===
+[https://psa.gov.ph/directory '''Philippine Statistics Authority''']<br>
+PSA Complex, East Avenue<br>
+Diliman, Quezon City<br>
+Philippines<br>
+Civil Registration concerns:<br>
+Telephone: (02) 8461-0500 local 605<br>
+Email: [mailto:crs.qvu1@psa.gov.ph crs.qvu1@psa.gov.ph]<br>
+{{Block indent|[mailto:crs.qvu2@psa.gov.ph crs.qvu2@psa.gov.ph]|3}}
+{{Block indent|[mailto:crs.qvu3@psa.gov.ph crs.qvu3@psa.gov.ph]|3}}
+Explanations on how to [https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/requesting-civil-registry-document Request a Civil Registry Document]<br>
+Application forms for certificates:
+{{Block indent|- [https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/Birth%20Application%20Form.pdf Birth certificate]}}
+{{Block indent|- [https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/Marriage%20Application%20Form.pdf Marriage certificate]}}
+{{Block indent|- [https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/Death%20Application%20Form.pdf Death certificate]}}
+{{Block indent|- [https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/CENOMAR%20Application%20Form.pdf Certificate of No Record of Marriage (Cenomar)]}}
+*'''Local Civil Registry Offices''': A copy of the records have been retained in local civil registry offices. Because many records were lost or damaged in the war, checking both the national office and local office might help find a surviving record. To write to a local office, address your letter to:<br>
+{{Block indent|'''City Civil Registry'''<br>|2}}
+{{Block indent|'''([http://zip-codes.philsite.net/ postal code--find it here)] (City)'''<br>|2}}
+{{Block indent|'''(province), Philippines'''<br>|2}}
+==Background==
-==Civil Registration (''Registros Civiles'')==
-*The recording births, marriages and deaths, provides important information of events in a person's life and required valid evidence, making these records very important.
-==Time Coverage==
 *Most vital records from before 1889 come from Catholic parish and diocesan archives.
 *In 1889, the Spanish government created the Central Office of Statistics, which required each parish priest to  give the government a detailed list of the births, marriages, and deaths in his area.
 *After the Philippine Revolution of 1898, the church and state became separate. Within the first few years, officials responsible for civil registration were appointed in each municipality.
 *In 1930, civil registration became mandatory and, in 1932, the Bureau of Census and Statistics was created to oversee all civil registration in the Philippines. It was not until 1940 that most registrations began to be recorded.
-==Contents==
-**Births:  Child’s name, birth date and place; parents’ names, residence, and occupation; witnesses’ ages, relationships, residences.
+==Coverage and Compliance==
-**Marriages:  Bride and groom names, ages, residences, occupations, marriage date and place; sometimes ages and/or birth dates and places; parents' names;  residences, occupations; witnesses and officer who performed ceremony; former spouses.
-**Death registers:  Name of deceased, age, death date and place, occupation, name of surviving spouse, informant’s name and residence, cause of death, sometimes birth date and place, parents’ names, children’s names.
+*Population coverage:
-**Fetal deaths: Record of all stillbirths, includes information similar to birth and death data shown above.
+{{Block indent|Before 1922, 20%|2}}
-*Population coverage: Before 1922, 20%; after 1922, 90%.
+{{Block indent|After 1922, 90%|2}}
+==Information Recorded in the Records==
+===Births===
+*Child’s name
+*Birth date and place
+*Parents’ names
+*Residence
+*Parents' occupation
+*Witnesses’ ages, relationships, residences
+===Marriages===
+*Names of the bride and groom
+*Ages
+*Residences
+*Occupations
+*Marriage date and place
+*Sometimes ages and/or birth dates and places
+*Parents' names, residences, occupations
+*Names of witnesses
+*Name of officer who performed ceremony
+*Names of former spouses
+===Deaths===
+*Name of deceased
+*Age
+*Death date and place
+*Occupation
+*Name of surviving spouse
+*Informant’s name and residence
+*Cause of death
+*Sometimes birth date and place
+*Parents’ names
+*Children’s names
+===Fetal deaths===
+Record of all stillbirths, includes information similar to the birth and death data shown above.
+===Examples===
 '''Example of a Birth Certificate'''<br>
@@ Line 40: / Line 142: @@
 [[Image:Philippines Civil Registration (local copies) DGS 5364269 23 Death Certificate.jpg|500px]]
-==Locating the Records==
-===Online Civil Registration Records===
-*[http://web0.psa.gov.ph/civil-registration/vital-statistics Vital Statistics Special Release] - [http://web0.psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions Problems and Solutions if you don't find what you are looking for]
-*'''1888 - 1986''' - {{RecordSearch|1410394|Philippines Civil Registration (Local), 1888-1986}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images
-*'''1899 - 1984''' - {{RecordSearch|1686086|Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images
-*'''1902 - 1945''' - {{RecordSearch|2018411|Philippines Civil Registration (Archives Division), 1902-1945}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — images
-*[http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=60124 Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division), 1902-1945] at - ($)
-*'''1945 - 1984''' - {{RecordSearch|1852584|Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1984}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images
-===Microfilm Copies of Civil Registration Records in the FamilySearch Catalog ===
-----
-You can also search microfilmed copies of available civil registration records. If the locality and time period you need are not included in the online records, the next step is to try to find them in the microfilm collection of the Family History Library. Currently, they are being digitized, and plans are to complete that project by 2020. Check back occasionally to see if your records have become available. In the meantime, some of them might be available at a [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ '''Family History Center'''] near you. <br>
-To find a microfilm:
-:::a. Click on this link to see a list of [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=218&query=%2Bplace%3APhilippines '''Places within the Philippines'''].
-:::b. Click on '''"Places within Philippines"''' and a list of provinces will open.
-:::c. Click on '''"Places within...."''' for the province.
-:::d. Click on the '''town or city''' you wish to search.
-:::e. Click on '''"Civil Registration"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
-:::f. Choose the correct '''event and time period''' for your ancestor.  '''"Nascimentos"''' are births. '''Matrimônios''' and '''"Casamentos"''' are marriages. ''' "Óbitos"''' are deaths.  '''"Índice"''' is the index.
-:::g. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the microfilm listed for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the microfilm is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the microfilm.
-===Writing for Records ===
-*Civil registry documents that can be obtained from the '''Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).''' [https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/requesting-civil-registry-document '''Click here'''] for detailed instructions for requesting certificates by mail.   [https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx '''Click here'''] to order records online.
-*A copy of the records have been retained in local civil registry offices. Because many records were lost or damaged in the war, checking both the national office and local office might help find a surviving record. To write to them, address your letter to:<br>
-'''City Civil Registry'''<br>
-'''([http://zip-codes.philsite.net/ postal code--find it here)] (City)'''<br>
-'''(province), Philippines'''<br>
 English is the official language of the Philippines. This [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide''']] will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.