Manila: The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that all Negative Certification of Birth documents will now be valid for only six months from the date of issuance.

According to Philippines News Agency, this decision was detailed in a public advisory by National Statistician Dennis Mapa. While Republic Act No. 11909 provides permanent validity for certificates of live birth, death, and marriage, a Negative Certification of Birth serves a unique and time-sensitive function, indicating the absence of a birth record in the Civil Registry System (CRS) database as of its issuance date.

Mapa highlighted that the lack of a prescribed validity period previously allowed outdated certifications to be used, which could lead to misuse and irregularities in civil registration processes. The introduction of a six-month validity period aims to ensure the accuracy of records and uphold the integrity of civil registry transactions.

He further stated that Negative Certifications of Birth presented beyond the six-month validity will not be accepted for delayed birth registration or other civil registry transactions. All relevant offices and personnel are instructed to comply strictly with this advisory unless it is revoked or modified.