Depending on how much time you have in your hands and how much you’re willing to shell out, here are four different ways on how you can get NSO certified birth certificate and other documents:

 

NSO Census Serbilis Center

If you need to get your documents within 1-2 days, it is advisable to go directly to any NSO Census Serbilis Center.  For faster processing, you may download the application form and fill it out before going to the serbilis center.  Depending on what time you arrive at the center, processing may take as short as 1 hour to as long as  5-6 hours.

Cost:  Php140 per copy – birth/marriage/death certificates ; Php195 per copy  – CENOMAR ( rates include 15 pesos documentary stamp tax)

Processing Time: 1-2 days

Procedure: 

1. Present filled out application form to NSO personnel along with the following:
   • Valid ID
   • Authorization and ID of the certificate owner if you are requesting a certificate and you are NOT any of the following:
     • the owner of the birth certificate
     • his/her parent
     • his/her spouse
     • his/her direct descendant
     • his/her legal guardian or institution-in-charge, if minor
2. Pay corresponding fees.
3. Wait for your certificates.  If birth/death/marriage certificates are available in the database, documents will be issued within 2 hours. CENOMARS take 2-4 days to be issued.

For the directory of Census Serbilis Centers, click here.

 

NSO E-CENSUS

NSO E-Census is an online facility that allows you to submit requests for the issuance of certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates; and issuance of certificate of no marriage record (CENOMAR).  Through this website, you can apply and pay for the documents you requested and inquire about their current status.

Cost: PHP 315.00 per copy – birth/marriage/death certificates; PHP 415.00 per copy – CENOMAR (fees are inclusive of processing, delivery, and government taxes)

Processing Time: 3-5 working days after payment (for delivery within Metro Manila/Metro Cebu/Metro Davao) ; 4-9 working days after payment (for delivery to other cities/provinces within the Philippines) ; 6-8 weeks after payment ( for delivery to other countries)

Procedure:

1. Fill up online application form at https://www.ecensus.com.ph/.
2. Pay corresponding fees thru accredited payment channels
   • Over-the-counter Payment Channels
     • BDO branches
     • Unionbank branches
   • Online Payment Channels
     • BDO Online Banking
     • UnionBank Online Banking
     • Credit Card (KABAYAN CENTRAL NETWORKS, INC. will appear in the credit card statement. Unisys Public Sector Services Corporation (UPSSC) will appear in the official receipt(s))
   • Other Payment Channels
     • BDO ATM ( BDO account holders only)
     • UnionBank ATM (account holders only)
3. Wait for delivery.  Upon delivery, you will be asked by the courier for the following:
   • Valid ID
   • Authorization and ID of the certificate owner if you are requesting a certificate and you are NOT any of the following:
     • the owner of the birth certificate
     • his/her parent
     • his/her spouse
     • his/her direct descendant
     • his/her legal guardian or institution-in-charge, if minor

To request for your NSO document thru E-Census, click here.

 

SM BUSINESS CENTERS

If your need for the NSO document is not immediate,  getting them thru SM Business Centers is the most convenient and most affordable way.  SM Business Centers facilitate the application, processing, and releasing of needed copies from the civil registry including birth/death certificates, marriage contract, certificate of no marriage (Cenomar), and annotated and endorsed documents. SM Business Centers are open from Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

Cost: Php160 per copy – birth/death and marriage certificate ; Php215 per copy – Cenomar (rates inclusive of service fee)

Processing Time: 7 working days (may take as fast as 3 working days – get phone number so you can check the status of your request)

Procedure:

1. Fill up request form at SM Business Center.
2. Pay corresponding fees.
3. Return after 7 working days to get your documents. Present the following:
   • Valid ID
   • Authorization and ID of the certificate owner if you are requesting a certificate and you are NOT any of the following:
     • the owner of the birth certificate
     • his/her parent
     • his/her spouse
     • his/her direct descendant
     • his/her legal guardian or institution-in-charge, if minor

 

TELESERV NSOHelpline.com

If you are unable to go to any Serbilis Center but need your documents the soonest possible time, you can request copies thru www.nsohelpline.com.  The rates are quite steep but you are assured of receiving your documents within 2-3 days.  And in case you have no internet access, you can call their hotline to process your request.

Cost:  Php 350 per copy – Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and Death Certificates / Php450 per copy – CENOMARs or Certificate of No Marriage (rates are inclusive of processing and delivery)

Processing Time: 2-3 working days upon receipt of payment

Procedure:

1. Log on to NSOHelpline.com and click the Order Now button. Answer a series of validation questions and fill up the application form. You can also make a request by calling their hotline (02) 737-1111.
2. Pay the corresponding fee thru Bancnet online, any Metrobank branch, Bancnet ATM or select Bayad Center outlets.
3. Wait for your documents to be delivered, usually within 2-3 working days upon receipt of your payment.
4. Upon delivery, present the following:
   • Valid ID
   • Authorization and ID of the certificate owner if you are requesting a certificate and you are NOT any of the following:
     • the owner of the birth certificate
     • his/her parent
     • his/her spouse
     • his/her direct descendant
     • his/her legal guardian or institution-in-charge, if minor

 

It takes several months after the date of birth/marriage/death before the birth/marriage/death certificate is received, verified and converted into digital format by the NSO so do allow 2-4 months after the date of birth/marriage/death(if the birth/marriage/death occurred within Metro Manila) or at least 6 months after the date of birth/marriage/death (if the birth/marriage/death occurred outside Metro Manila) before filing your request for a copy of the document.