Sɪɴɢʟᴇ ✘ Mᴀʀʀɪᴇᴅ ✔

I wish changing my name after getting married was just as easy as doing it on Facebook...lol.. Apparently it takes so long and it requires so much time, effort and patience to do it.  Here's my experience in changing my status and my name in different offices or government agencies.

First: My PASSPORT was already expiring so I didn't go to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to renew it until after my wedding, that way I'd be able to renew it and change my status/name at the same time..hitting two birds with one stone as they say :)  Here are the requirements that I forwarded to them:

• The old passport and photocopy of pages 1,2,3 (amendment) and last page.
• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO and Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar if MC secpa is unreadable.
• Certificate of Attendance (color green) from CFO (Commission of Filipino Overseas) if married to a foreigner.
• Digitized SSS-ID with photocopy

NOTE:  The requirements may vary for each applicant.  Please click HERE  to visit the DFA website.


Second: I was supposed to change my name at the company where I was working right after we received our marriage documents but I was advised it's gonna take about two months to do it and by then I'd already be leaving my job so there's no point in doing it then.

Third: At the last quarter of the year we're asked by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR, the government agency for taxes) to inform them if there's a need for us to update our information so I forwarded all the required documents:

• Copy of NSO issued Marriage Contract
• Filled out BIR form which you can secure from your HR's office

I coordinated with someone from our company who was assigned to process it with the BIR.  It was done but not completely.  They changed my status but they didn't change my name and someone told me that it could be because my company didn't change my name.  Anyway, they already know I'm married so about my name I'll deal with it later.  It's important that they know if you're married or single, with a dependent or not (for the tax exemptions of course!)

Fourth: I wanted to renew my expired Driver's License and change my status/name at the same time so I went to their office at a huge mall here in Cebu but I was told I couldn't do it there.  They only renew licenses but not change the name or status so I had to do it at the main office which is ALWAYS crowded and which is also far.  So I decided not to do it, I'm not driving anyway, I would have just wanted to use the DL for identification purposes.

Fifth: I then went to the Social Security System office (SSS) which is also ALWAYS flooded with people.  I had to present them the following:

• The original Marriage Certificate issued by NSO with one photocopy 
• A photocopy of a valid ID with my married name already so I used my passport, I didn't have anything else.  

They accepted my documents and told me I had to go back to their office after one month so they could "capture" my photo for the ID card.  Sure thing, I went back after a month but was told to come back again because their system is "offline" for the ID capture and this didn't happen just once.  I went there about three times and was advised of the same thing.  Then I got sick so I wasn't able to go back until yesterday and thankfully it was DONE but it consumed my ENTIRE day!  I missed my french class because of it and I decided to just have it done once and for all.  They asked for the following additional documents again:

• Photocopy of two valid IDs but I only have my passport and thankfully they just accepted it.
• A filled out request form which will be given to you when you get there.
• ₱300.00 for the new ID which I don't understand.  Paying because I lost my ID and I need I new  one then I'd understand BUT paying because I need a new one due to changing my name after marriage?!  I don't think it's fair...

They captured my photo BUT told me that I shouldn't expect the ID card until by the 10th of August.  VERY long I know but just imagine those people who's photos were captured in 2009 to 2011...would you believe that their IDs weren't ready until this year?!!  Anyway, it's just a question of time for me now..just a few months then they will mail it so I'll just wait.


Sixth: Due to the fact that I don't have any other identification with my married name on it aside from my passport I decided to get a "Postal ID".  It's an identification card that you can secure at your local post office as proof that you are a resident of whichever address you have.  They required the following:

• Copy of your NSO issued marriage certificate
• Copy of your NSO issued birth certificate
• Barangay clearance (original) must be specifically mentioned "for the purpose of getting a Postal ID"
• Copy of your community tax (Cedula) claimed the same year you applied for the Postal ID
• Two 2x2 pictures (recent)
• Postal ID form signed by any of your Barangay officials.  (Some barangays have this form or you can get it from your local post office, have it signed by any of your Brgy. officials then forward it back to the post office)
• ₱645.00 and you'll have it in three days (the price may change of course, i won't be able to track the price changes and update it here)

Seventh: Last thing I did was to change my status and name with the Philippine national health insurance office (PhilHealth) and I was really happy and amazed with how efficient they worked.  I only waited a few minutes for everything to be done.  They just asked for the following:

• Copy of your  NSO issued marriage certificate
• Copy of your community tax (Cedula) claimed the same year you applied for the change of status.
• One 1x1 photo
• A filled out request form which will be given to you when you get to their office.

Dealing with government offices really requires so much patience.  There was an instance at the SSS (where I waited forever for my turn)..My priority number was called and I saw the woman at the counter (counter number 5) who was supposed to assist me talking to someone else, I thought it was the one prior to me so I waited until she'd leave then the number next to mine was called so I went to that next counter to notify them that I wasn't assisted yet then the woman at counter number 5 said I wasn't assisted coz I didn't go to her.  I reasoned out and told her that i didn't come over coz she was still assisting someone and then she said "No, even if I was talking to someone you should have came to me coz I called you"....I was like, wow! Okay...(so, what is this?  shall we just forget about our manners and values if we go to these f****ing public offices?)!!!  Anyway, I'm glad it's done...Thank God!!