Correcting the citizenship of parents in a birth certificate in the Philippines is an important legal process for ensuring the accuracy of a person’s civil records. An incorrect entry in the “citizenship” field can have serious implications on a child’s nationality, inheritance rights, and eligibility for certain benefits.
To correct such erroneous entry in citizenship of either or both parents, the document owner must file the appropriate petition before the courts under Rule 108 of Rules of Court. The reason being this kind of error in the birth certificate is not considered clerical or typographical ones under Republic Act No. 9048.
In the case of Republic v. Ontuca, G.R. No. 232053, July 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Philippines held that:
The correction of entries in the civil register pertaining to citizenship, legitimacy of paternity or filiation, or legitimacy of marriage involves substantial alterations, which may be corrected, and the true facts established, provide the parties aggrieved by the error to avail themselves of the appropriate adversary proceedings.
Also, in the relatively recent case of Uy-Belleza v. Civil Registrar of Tacloban City, G.R. No. 218354, September 15, 2021, the Supreme Court allowed the change of citizenship of the mother of the petitioner from “Chinese” to “Filipino” after the presentation of competent supporting evidence to prove such citizenship at the time of birth of the petitioner.
The Supreme Court found that the Philippine passport of the petitioner’s mother, as well as the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner’s brother indicating their mother’s citizenship as “Fil,” were sufficient to justify the correction of said entry.
If you need professional assistance in correcting the citizenship of either or both parents in your Certificate of Live Birth in the Philippines, our experienced lawyers can guide you through the proper judicial process. Whether you are in Pampanga, Tarlac, or nearby provinces, we are ready to help protect your rights and secure accurate civil records. Contact us today at inquiries@mpeclaw.com or (+63) 976 385 6705 to schedule a consultation and start the process of correcting your birth certificate.