Key takeaways
- Registration is in person at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO). iRehistro only fills in your form online; you sign and thumbmark it in front of the Election Officer.
- COMELEC does not honour barangay IDs or certifications, cedulas, company IDs or PNP clearances as proof of identity for registration. Digital government IDs in the eGovPH app are accepted (Res. 11294 Sec. 18).
- Voter's ID cards are on hold. A voter's certification from the OEO replaces it, and COMELEC says it is free for all registered voters (the old ₱75 fee was waived in February 2024).
- Miss two successive regular elections and your registration is deactivated (RA 8189 Sec. 27). For May 2028, file reactivation by 30 July 2027 in person, or by email to your OEO until 30 June 2027.
- The next barangay and SK elections are on the second Monday of November 2028 (RA 12326); the national and local elections are on 8 May 2028.
Voter registration at a glance
| Document | Fee | Processing time | Validity | Where to apply | Apply online? | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter registration (new, transfer, reactivation, correction) | No fee: COMELEC forms are free at the OEO (Res. 11294 Sec. 17), and no registration fee is charged; never pay a middleman | Decided at the quarterly Election Registration Board hearing; filings from 10 Nov to 29 Dec 2026 are heard on 19 Jan 2027 | Stays active unless deactivated, for example after missing two successive regular elections | OEO of the city or municipality where you live | Form only, through iRehistro; filing and signing are in person | comelec.gov.ph |
| Voter's certification | Free for all registered voters, local or overseas (COMELEC, July 2026) | Check with the issuing office | Check with the issuing office; no validity period is stated on the COMELEC pages read | OEO where you are registered | No | comelec.gov.ph |
| Voter's ID card | Not issued | On hold | Old cards already issued | Not available | No | COMELEC Voter ID page |
As of November 2026. Sources: RA 8189; COMELEC Res. No. 11294 (Secs. 3, 5 and 17); COMELEC on free voter's certification, as reported by the Inquirer, 23 July 2026; COMELEC Voter ID page.
Is voter registration open now? Status as of November 2026
| Item | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Next national and local elections | 8 May 2028 | COMELEC Res. No. 11294 |
| Rules for the current registration period | Resolution No. 11294, "Rules and Regulations on the Conduct of the System of Continuing Registration of Voters for the May 8, 2028 National and Local Elections", promulgated 29 October 2026 | Res. No. 11294 (PDF) |
| Is registration open? | Yes: 10 November 2026 to 30 July 2027 at your OEO and satellite sites. Closed 24, 25, 30 and 31 December 2026, 1 January 2027 and 25–27 March 2027 | Res. No. 11294 Sec. 3 |
| Hours | 8 AM–5 PM, Monday to Friday, plus scheduled Saturdays and holidays. If COMELEC applies its four-day workweek: 8 AM–6 PM, Tuesday to Friday. Check your OEO's hours | Res. No. 11294 Sec. 3 |
| Reactivation by email | Reactivation (with or without correction, or transfer within the same city or municipality) can be emailed to your OEO's official address until 30 June 2027 | Res. No. 11294 Sec. 3 |
| Barangay and SK elections | Moved to the second Monday of November 2028; the 2 November 2026 BSKE did not take place | RA 12326 |
| Previous registration window | Closed 18 May 2026 (for the BSKE that was later reset) | COMELEC Res. No. 11177 |
| Overseas registration | 1 December 2025 to 30 September 2027 | COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting notice |
| Last day you can register before a regular election | By law, 120 days before a regular election (90 before a special election). For May 2028 COMELEC closes earlier, on 30 July 2027 | RA 8189 Sec. 8; Res. No. 11294 |
Dates from the text of COMELEC Resolution No. 11294, read 10 November 2026. COMELEC can adjust or suspend registration days, and a few areas (such as Naga City) resumed later, so check with your OEO before you go.
Legal basis: RA 12326 (approved 24 September 2026) sets the barangay and SK elections on "the second Monday of November 2028" and every five years after, with five-year terms. COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 governs continuing registration for the 8 May 2028 national and local elections.
Primary sources: RA 12326 on Lawphil · RA 12326, Official Gazette · COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 (PDF)
Who can register to vote in the Philippines
RA 8189, the Voter's Registration Act of 1996, sets four conditions in Sec. 9. You must be a Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old on the day of the election, a resident of the Philippines for at least one year, and a resident of the place where you will vote for at least six months immediately before the election. You can register before your 18th birthday as long as you will be 18 by election day: for 8 May 2028, that means born on or before 8 May 2010 (Res. 11294 Sec. 14).
Legal basis: RA 8189 Sec. 9: qualified citizens "who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the election" may register.
Primary sources: RA 8189 on Lawphil
Voters registration requirements: what to bring
| Document | Notes | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Accomplished application form (CEF-1, revised 2026) | Fill in online through iRehistro or get a copy at the OEO; do not sign or thumbmark it yet | iRehistro or CEF-1 PDF |
| One valid ID with photo and signature | Accepted: PhilSys ID, postal ID, PWD ID, school-signed student ID or library card, senior citizen ID, LTO licence or student permit, NBI clearance, passport, SSS/GSIS/UMID, IBP ID, PRC ID, NCIP certificate of confirmation, any other government ID, and digital IDs in the eGovPH app | See our guides to the PhilSys National ID and the postal ID |
| If you have no accepted ID | A registered voter of your barangay, or a relative up to the fourth civil degree registered there, may identify you under oath. They show a voter's ID, voter's certification or certificate of registration, and can vouch for at most three applicants a quarter | Bring that person to the OEO |
| Personal appearance | You sign and thumbmark the form in front of the Election Officer or an authorized COMELEC representative | OEO or registration site |
COMELEC Res. No. 11294 Secs. 17 and 18 and the iRehistro instructions, as of November 2026. At Register Anywhere and Main Office sites, new and transfer applicants also bring proof of residence, such as an ID showing the address, a utility bill or a notarized lease. Sources: Res. No. 11294; COMELEC forms.
IDs not accepted for voter registration
Several guides still say a barangay ID works. COMELEC says otherwise. Resolution No. 11294, which governs registration for 2028, states that "Barangay Identification card/Certification, Community Tax Certificates (cedula), Company ID card and PNP clearance shall not be honored as valid identification documents for purposes of registration." The NBI clearance, unlike the PNP clearance, is on the accepted list.
| Document | Accepted for registration? | What to use instead |
|---|---|---|
| PhilSys National ID | Yes, first on COMELEC's list | — |
| Postal ID | Yes, second on COMELEC's list | — |
| Barangay ID or barangay certificate | No | A government ID with photo and signature, or identification under oath |
| Community tax certificate (cedula) | No | Same |
| Company ID | No | Same |
| PNP clearance | No | Same |
| NBI clearance | Yes, listed | — |
| Digital government ID in the eGovPH app | Yes, Res. 11294 accepts digital equivalents | — |
| Other government IDs with photo and signature | Yes: "any other government issued valid IDs" | Ask the OEO if you are unsure |
COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 Sec. 18, as of November 2026.
Which voter registration form do I file?
| Your case | Application | Form | Where to file |
|---|---|---|---|
| First time registering | New registration | CEF-1 Revised 2026 | OEO of the city or municipality where you live |
| Moved to another city or municipality | Transfer of registration | CEF-1 Revised 2026, ticking transfer | Election Officer of your new residence (RA 8189 Sec. 12) |
| Moved and also deactivated | Transfer with reactivation | CEF-1 Revised 2026, ticking both boxes | Election Officer of your new residence |
| Deactivated, still at the same address | Reactivation | CEF-1 Revised 2026; can also be emailed to your OEO until 30 June 2027 | OEO where you are registered |
| Wrong entry, or new surname after marriage | Correction of entries or change of name | CEF-1 Revised 2026 | OEO where you are registered |
| Moving from overseas registration back to the Philippines | Transfer from a foreign post to a local precinct | CEF-1 Revised 2026 plus OVF 1B (Revised 2025) | OEO of your Philippine residence |
COMELEC Res. No. 11294 Sec. 17 (PDF): one copy of CEF-1 Revised 2026 covers every application type, and forms are free at the OEO. Older forms such as CEF-1B are not used in the 2028 cycle. As of November 2026.
For a change of name after marriage, bring your PSA marriage certificate. If your ID and your record spell your name differently, for example a missing middle initial, an affidavit of discrepancy can help explain it, but the OEO decides what it accepts.
How to register as a voter: step by step
| Step | What to do | Time it takes | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check that you meet the age and residence rules in RA 8189 Sec. 9 | 5 minutes | Six months at your current address before election day |
| 2 | Fill in CEF-1 through iRehistro and print it, or ask for a form at the OEO | 15–20 minutes | Do not sign or thumbmark the printout at home |
| 3 | Check your OEO's registration days and hours (10 Nov 2026 to 30 Jul 2027; some holidays closed) | 5 minutes | Confirm the site and hours before you travel |
| 4 | Go to the OEO with the form and one accepted ID | Varies by site | Barangay IDs and cedulas will be turned away |
| 5 | Present your ID and have your details checked | Varies by queue | Bring a photocopy of the ID in case it is asked for |
| 6 | Sign and thumbmark the form in front of the Election Officer or an authorized COMELEC representative | A few minutes | Read every entry once more before you sign |
| 7 | Keep the cut-off bottom of your form: it is your acknowledgement receipt and shows the date of the Election Registration Board hearing | — | You need not attend the hearing unless someone opposes your application; check the OEO bulletin board for the approved list |
iRehistro and COMELEC forms page (comelec.gov.ph); Res. No. 11294; RA 8189. As of November 2026.
Voter's ID: is COMELEC still issuing it?
No. COMELEC's Voter ID page says the National ID system "has led the Commission to put the generation and distribution of Voter ID cards on hold." No COMELEC notice reviewed for this page gives a date when printing will resume, and stories about a new digital voter's ID for overseas voters have not been backed by implementing guidelines. Whether an office still accepts an old voter's ID card is up to that office; for current proof that you are registered, get a voter's certification.
| Point | Voter's ID card | Voter's certification |
|---|---|---|
| Status (November 2026) | On hold | Issued |
| Fee | Not issued | Free for all registered voters (COMELEC, July 2026) |
| Where | — | OEO where you are registered |
| What it shows | Your photo and registration details | That you are a registered voter |
| Common use | ID | Proof of registration; one of the secondary documents the DFA accepts for a passport when the birth certificate was registered late |
COMELEC Voter ID page; COMELEC on free voter's certification, as reported by the Inquirer. As of November 2026.
Voter's certification: requirements and fee
Go to the OEO of the city or municipality where you are registered and bring a valid ID. The certification costs nothing: COMELEC waived the old ₱75 fee in February 2024, and in July 2026 it said voter certification "is issued for free for all registered voters, local or overseas" while warning against people who charge for it. The 2021 rule that only seniors, PWDs, indigenous peoples and solo parents were exempt no longer limits who gets it free. A certification also counts as one of the two IDs for an NBI clearance.
| Item | Fee | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voter registration (any type) | Free; forms are free at the OEO | Res. 11294, promulgated 29 Oct 2026 | Res. No. 11294 Sec. 17 |
| Voter's certification | Free for all registered voters, local or overseas | COMELEC advisory reported 23 July 2026 | Inquirer report; Philstar on the February 2024 waiver |
| Voter's ID card | Not available (on hold) | November 2026 | COMELEC Voter ID page |
News reports in December 2025 said COMELEC's main office in Manila had paused certifications for system maintenance; no COMELEC advisory confirming this was found, so request yours at your local OEO.
Reactivation of voter registration after missing two elections
Under RA 8189 Sec. 27, the Election Registration Board deactivates the registration of a voter who "did not vote in the two (2) successive preceding regular elections." Sangguniang Kabataan elections are not counted. A deactivated voter cannot vote until reactivated. Sec. 28 lets you file a sworn application for reactivation stating that the grounds for deactivation no longer exist, no later than 120 days before a regular election.
| Question | Answer | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Which elections count? | Regular elections; SK elections are not counted | RA 8189 Sec. 27 |
| How many missed elections? | Two successive regular elections | RA 8189 Sec. 27 |
| How do I fix it? | File a sworn application for reactivation on CEF-1 Revised 2026, or transfer with reactivation on the same form if you moved | RA 8189 Sec. 28; Res. 11294 Sec. 17 |
| Deadline | By law, 120 days before a regular election; for May 2028, 30 July 2027 | RA 8189 Sec. 28; Res. 11294 Sec. 3 |
| Can I do it online? | Yes, by email to your OEO's official address until 30 June 2027 (reactivation, also with correction or transfer within the same city or municipality) | Res. 11294 Sec. 3, under Res. No. 10715 |
RA 8189 on Lawphil; COMELEC Res. No. 11294. As of November 2026.
Legal basis: RA 8189 (1996): Sec. 8 (no registration within 120 days before a regular election), Sec. 9 (who may register), Sec. 12 (transfer), Sec. 27 (deactivation), Sec. 28 (reactivation).
Primary sources: RA 8189 on Lawphil
Voter registration transfer to a new city or municipality
Sec. 12 of RA 8189 says "any registered voter who has transferred residence to another city or municipality may apply" for transfer with the Election Officer of the new residence. File CEF-1 Revised 2026 there, ticking transfer, not at your old OEO. Bring an accepted ID, and be ready to show you have lived at the new address for six months by election day. If you also missed two regular elections, tick transfer with reactivation on the same form. Moving within the same city or municipality is handled by your current OEO on the same form.
Overseas voter registration
Filipinos abroad register with the embassy, consulate or other registration centre of the COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting. Its notice gives the overseas registration period as "01 December 2025 to 30 September 2027". Use the overseas iRehistro to generate form OVF1, which carries a QR code, then submit it in person at the post. Details are on the COMELEC overseas voting page and the overseas iRehistro.
Common voter registration problems and fixes
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Turned away with a barangay ID or cedula | COMELEC does not honour them for registration (Res. 11294) | Bring a government ID with photo and signature, such as the PhilSys ID, postal ID or NBI clearance, or a registered voter of your barangay to identify you under oath |
| Registration deactivated | Missed two successive regular elections | File for reactivation on CEF-1 by 30 July 2027, or by email to your OEO until 30 June 2027 |
| Moved and cannot vote in the new city | Registration stays at the old address until transferred | File CEF-1 (transfer) with the Election Officer of the new residence |
| Signed the iRehistro printout at home | The form must be signed before the Election Officer | Print a fresh copy, or ask the OEO for a blank form |
| Name on record differs from your ID | Typo, or new surname after marriage | Apply for correction or change of name at the OEO; an affidavit of discrepancy can explain minor differences |
| Need a voter's ID for a job or bank | Cards are on hold | Get a voter's certification at the OEO |
| Lost your old voter's ID | No replacement cards are printed | Use a voter's certification; if an office asks for proof of loss, an affidavit of loss covers it |
| Missed the cut-off | For May 2028, registration closes on 30 July 2027 | Register as early as possible; queues grow near the deadline |
| Someone offers to process your certification for a fee | Unofficial middlemen | Get certifications only from the OEO or COMELEC itself |
RA 8189, COMELEC Res. No. 11294 and COMELEC forms, as of November 2026.
Printable voter registration checklist
- Age check: 18 or older on election day
- Residence check: one year in the Philippines, six months in your city or municipality before election day
- CEF-1 Revised 2026 from iRehistro or the OEO, unsigned (one form for new, transfer, reactivation and correction)
- One accepted ID with photo and signature, plus a photocopy (not barangay ID, cedula, company ID or PNP clearance)
- PSA marriage certificate if you are changing your surname
- Your OEO's registration days and hours (open 10 Nov 2026 to 30 Jul 2027)
- For a voter's certification: a valid ID (the certification is free)
No accepted ID yet? The PhilSys National ID heads COMELEC's list. The government documents hub compares every Philippine ID by cost, processing time and validity, so you can pick the fastest one to get before your OEO visit.
Buod sa Tagalog
Para magparehistro bilang botante, dapat Pilipino ka, 18 taong gulang pataas sa araw ng eleksyon, isang taon nang nakatira sa Pilipinas at anim na buwan sa lungsod o bayan kung saan ka boboto. Pumunta sa Office of the Election Officer (OEO) dala ang isang valid ID na may litrato at pirma; hindi tinatanggap ang barangay ID, cedula, company ID at PNP clearance. Puwede mong punan ang form online sa iRehistro, pero sa harap ng Election Officer ka pipirma. Naka-hold pa rin ang voter's ID, kaya voter's certification ang kunin mo sa OEO, na libre na para sa lahat ng rehistradong botante. Bukas ang rehistro mula 10 Nobyembre 2026 hanggang 30 Hulyo 2027.
Frequently asked questions
+Is COMELEC still issuing voter's ID in 2026?
No. COMELEC's Voter ID page says generation and distribution of voter's ID cards was put on hold because of the National ID system, and no notice of resumption was found as of November 2026. If you need proof that you are a registered voter, request a voter's certification from the Office of the Election Officer where you are registered. Offices decide for themselves whether to accept an old card.
+How do I get a voter's certification, and how much is it?
Go to the Office of the Election Officer in the city or municipality where you are registered and bring a valid ID. It is free: COMELEC waived the old ₱75 fee in February 2024, and in July 2026 said voter certification is issued free to all registered voters, local or overseas. Never pay a fixer or a website that offers to get one for you.
+What are the requirements for voter registration in the Philippines?
You must be a Filipino citizen, at least 18 on election day, a resident of the Philippines for one year and of your city or municipality for six months before the election. Bring one valid ID with photo and signature and the CEF-1 form, unsigned, to the Office of the Election Officer. With no accepted ID, a registered voter or relative registered in your barangay can identify you under oath.
+When is voter registration for the 2028 elections?
From 10 November 2026 to 30 July 2027, under COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 promulgated 29 October 2026. OEOs are closed on 24, 25, 30 and 31 December 2026, 1 January 2027 and 25 to 27 March 2027. Reactivation by email closes on 30 June 2027. Overseas registration runs from 1 December 2025 to 30 September 2027. Check your OEO's hours before going.
+Is a barangay ID or cedula accepted for voter registration?
No. COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 says barangay IDs and certifications, community tax certificates (cedula), company IDs and PNP clearances shall not be honoured as identification for registration. Bring a government ID with photo and signature, such as the PhilSys National ID, postal ID or NBI clearance; eGovPH digital IDs also count. With none, a registered voter of your barangay may identify you under oath.
+Can I register as a voter online through iRehistro?
Only partly. iRehistro lets you fill in the CEF-1 application online and print it, which saves time at the office. You still go in person to the Office of the Election Officer, where you sign and thumbmark the form in front of the Election Officer or an authorized COMELEC representative. Do not sign it at home, and do not pay anyone who offers online registration.
+How do I reactivate my voter registration if I did not vote in two elections?
File a sworn application for reactivation on CEF-1 Revised 2026 at the Office of the Election Officer where you are registered, or email it to that OEO's official address until 30 June 2027. If you also moved, tick transfer with reactivation and file at your new city's OEO. For May 2028 the in-person deadline is 30 July 2027. SK elections do not count.
+How do I transfer my voter registration to a new city?
File an application for transfer on CEF-1 Revised 2026 with the Election Officer of the city or municipality where you now live, as RA 8189 Sec. 12 provides. Bring an accepted ID with photo and signature. You must have lived there at least six months by election day. If you were deactivated, choose transfer with reactivation on the same form.
+How do I register as an overseas voter?
Use COMELEC's overseas iRehistro to generate form OVF1 with its QR code, then submit it in person at the Philippine embassy, consulate or other registration centre where you live. The COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting gives the registration period as 1 December 2025 to 30 September 2027. Check the post's own schedule and ID requirements before you go.
Related formats and guides
Official sources
- RA 8189 – Voter's Registration Act of 1996 — Who may register (Sec. 9), 120-day cut-off (Sec. 8), transfer (Sec. 12), deactivation (Sec. 27), reactivation (Sec. 28). Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- RA 12326 – Barangay and SK elections moved to November 2028 — Next BSKE on the second Monday of November 2028, five-year terms; approved 24 Sep 2026. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- COMELEC Resolution No. 11294 (PDF) — Continuing registration for the 8 May 2028 elections, promulgated 29 Oct 2026: dates and hours (Sec. 3), ERB schedule (Sec. 5), who may register (Sec. 14), free forms (Sec. 17), accepted and refused IDs (Sec. 18). Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- COMELEC – Voter ID issuance — Generation and distribution of voter's ID cards on hold due to the National ID system. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- Inquirer: COMELEC says voter certification is free (news report, 23 Jul 2026) — Secondary source quoting COMELEC: free for all registered voters, local or overseas. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- Philstar: COMELEC waives voter certification fee (news report, 4 Feb 2024) — Secondary source on the waiver of the ₱75 fee; replaces the May 2021 notice. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- COMELEC – Application forms (CEF-1 Revised 2026) — Official forms and iRehistro instructions on signing before the Election Officer. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting – Resumption of registration — Overseas registration from 1 Dec 2025 to 30 Sep 2027. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
Deepak Middha, Chartered Accountant
18 years in hedge funds; writes and maintains sulat.ph. Every fee, processing time and requirement on this page links to the official agency page, citizen's charter or law it comes from, and were checked against those sources on 2026-11-11. Where a rule could not be confirmed from an official source, the page says so or leaves it out.
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