After the stress and bliss of wedding preps and the wedding day itself comes a new challenge for the new missus: how to change name after marriage. In the Philippines (and many other countries), it's not required to change your maiden name.
I want to write about how I changed my last name after marriage because I know it could be confusing and overwhelming without guidance.
It's really not.
But since we're talking about government offices in the Philippines, expect that it could take a loooong time to accomplish everything.
Let me share the process (as of April 2019) with commentaries, tips and rants here and there. Sorry can't help it.
How to Change Name after Marriage in the Philippines
First off, make sure you have a copy of your marriage certificate from PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) or formerly known as NSO (National Statistics Office).
Here's a tip (that I wish someone told be beforehand):
Get at least 5-6 copies of your marriage certificate to avoid argument with the spouse. 😅
Some agencies will need to keep the original.
Some agencies will need to keep the original.
The Mister begrudgingly went back to request two more copies but we later realized that it might not be enough to have only three. So after much stressful exchange of commentaries 😂 (welcome to married life), we agreed we should have bought 6.
The stress comes from knowing how much people are lining up at the PSA every day, and how early you need to be there because...lines!
Another tip: It's better to go to the PSA in the afternoon the day before a national holiday. People are usually on their way somewhere for a long weekend or extra day off.
My husband at PSA
I've never been a fan of going to government offices because of really bad traumatizing experiences in the past.
But, we don't really have a choice, do we?
I'd like to clarify that I'm currently based in Bacolod and though requirements listed here may be the same nationwide, the processes (like which window, building, etc.) may differ.
But, we don't really have a choice, do we?
I'd like to clarify that I'm currently based in Bacolod and though requirements listed here may be the same nationwide, the processes (like which window, building, etc.) may differ.
- For Philhealth, we went to their main office (map below). They're also in Robinson's.
- For PRC, SSS and PAG-IBIG, we went to Robinson's Bacolod 3/F. If you have the time, it's better to go to their main offices. The lines there may be shorter.
PHILHEALTH
Requirements:- Marriage Certificate original and photocopy (In my case, she didn't bother checking the original and gave it back to me but kept the photocopy).
- Photocopy of valid government ID (with maiden name is fine).
- Printed and filled out PMRF (Philhealth Member Registration Form) that you can download from their website. Their site is often down so just check the link if it works. You can also ask in the office directly if you don't want to download. Or send me a message here and I will forward it to you.
- 1x1 ID picture with white background. This one's not listed on the website, but you need it for your new ID.
- Fill out necessary information that applies. For Purpose, tick off ✔ For Updating.
- Wait for your number to be called and submit all requirements for checking.
- Wait for your updated record and ID.
Comments:
That's it.
Philhealth office is my favorite so far.
We arrived a little past 7 am. I asked the guard for a number and I was #27. They let us in around 7:40 am (their office hours is 8 am to 5 pm) and started transactions right away.
By around 8:15 am, my number was called and in less that a minute I was done!
See? That's why it's my favorite.
I didn't know that I could get an updated ID right then and there though so I had to go out for 1x1 rush ID picture nearby, and went back to request.
But again, it took less than a minute. I think maybe 20 seconds. She just printed my name and pasted my picture.
You have to have your ID laminated yourself to protect it from damage. There's a lamination service just outside their office.
Philhealth office location:
Click photo to view on Google Maps
PRC
Requirements:- Filled out Petition Form from their website
- Photocopy AND original Marriage Certificate
- Photocopy of old PRC ID
- Statutory fee of Php 225
- Metered documentary stamp
- 2 pcs passport size picture with white background and name tag (your married name)
- PRC postal envelope - this is not listed on the website but required in Bacolod which I think is because they will mail your requirements to Manila office.
1. Proceed to Window 1 with requirements 1-3 above.
It
I told Miss Not-So-Pleasant at Window 1 that it's what the website says. I even showed the list I downloaded but Miss Window #1 just said, "No, we don't require that. We don't ask you to do that."
Cute. 🙄
2. Proceed to the back of the room where you will have your passport size picture taken (they have blazers if you're not wearing top with collar). They only needed one photo but you'll get 6 copies.
This is also where you will pay for the stamps.
I paid Php 110 for 2 pieces documentary stamps (which the woman wrote on a piece of paper, not an official receipt), Php 120 for the pictures and Php 25 for the postal envelope.
The pictures and envelopes were not written on the paper nor was I given an official receipt for these requirements but I didn't ask why anymore because welcome to the Philippines. 😅
3. Back to Window 1. She pasted the stamps and my picture on the form, wrote some things and gave me back my documents.
4. Pay for the statutory fee in Window 5 (Cashier). No sarcasm, she was nice and helpful. You need a number for this though. You can get from the Cashier after you're done with the requirements but my husband got me a number while I was processing.
The cashier already called my number but this good guy in front of the line allowed me to go before him because I said I had to wait for my photo (I did for about 5 minutes because it's quite busy). Bless his heart.
They'll give you an official receipt for the Statutory Fee.
5. Proceed to Window 6.
Brace yourselves. Major rant is coming.
Again,
So I told him, "Your website says notarized Petition Form." 😈
To which he replied that it's only for blah blah blah process. I didn't catch what he said. But he meant it's for something else.
It's time to update your website and specify which transaction needs a notarized petition form and which doesn't, PRC. We're professionals, we're not mind readers.
And train your employees (or at least Sir Brian at Window 6) to act professionally next time. The P on your agency's name means Professional after all. 🙄
I went back to the woman who sold me the postal envelope for a refund because I said it's not required apparently. But then she said, they should've taken it and called the trooper Sir Brian. He forgot he needed to file it with my papers.
He's such a delight! 🙄
Giphy
Note: I was instructed to check online (within 2-8 months) if my record has been amended. After that, I have an option to apply for online transaction like I'm applying for renewal of license or just wait for when my present ID will expire.
They will then give me an ID with "Duplicate" on it (if I'll apply for renewal right away), reflecting the same expiration date as I have on my current ID.
Depending on the number of people applying on the day, transaction may be quick or slow. I think we were there for only about 40 mins.
PRC Location:
I went to PRC Robinson's Bacolod. The mall wasn't open yet but if you tell the guard your purpose, they'll let you in.
SSS
Requirements:- Two (2) copies of Member Data Change Request
- Marriage Certificate (must show the original but only leave photocopy)
- Old SSS ID
- Photocopy of valid ID with married name
Steps:
- Line up to have your forms checked and get a number. So if you'll ask me, it's better to download the form online so you can fall in line right away.
- Wait (for eternity 😅) for your number to be called and submit your requirements.
Note: I was also told to put my husband under Dependent because apparently, that's automatic when you're married. I didn't know that.
They will send your new SSS ID via mail within 30-60 days.
They will send your new SSS ID via mail within 30-60 days.
Comments:
This one's a pain. Although I'm thankful that Robinson's has Lingkod Pinoy Centers where you can find government offices in one place, the lines could be daunting. This took more than two hours of waiting.
🚩 Update: I never got my SSS ID. It was lost in the mail, the post office told me. They advised me to just get a new one. That was more 2 hours wasted including me going back. 🤬
PAGIBIG
Requirements:- Marriage Certificate (they didn't look for original, just photocopy)
- MCIF (Member's Change of Information Form)
- Valid government ID (it's on the list but they didn't ask for mine)
Steps:
- Get a number.
- Wait for another eternity. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜… Wait for your number to be called and submit all your documents. They will update your information immediately but you'll have to go back for the form with your updated married name. They'll tell you when. For me it's three days after.
Giphy
Changing name is no fun but it is necessary. It's part of making things legal.
Remember to bring with you:
- black pen
- some snacks or candy to avoid getting hAngry
- water
- a fan (it was hot even with the mall's AC)
- a whole lot of patience and understanding for uncultured people like Brian at the PRC office 🙊
What's your experience in changing your name after marriage? Let me know!
4 comments
I really had a bad experience with getting my digitized SSS ID. I waited a year to get it, and it was not delivered in my apartment. I had to trace its whereabouts and I ended up finding it in the post office.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish they could move some of these transactions online!
You know update on this article, I still don't have my updated SSS ID. They lost it in the post office. Sadly, I have to go to the office and process it again. Yeah, it's 2020. Why can't we do things online for everybody's convenience? :(
DeleteFiling for such in the PSA is so frustrating in the Philippines it will take days or a week to request for it.
ReplyDeleteGosh. Tell me about it. ��
Delete