When it comes to correcting clerical or typographical errors in an entry in the Civil Registry, you have to go through long procedures that will even make a dent in your pocket. This problem with costly and tedious procedures have already been addressed by Republic Act. No. 9048. This act authored by Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo is known as Clerical Error Law. This legislation allows you to correct typographical errors without court intervention. The law removes the burden of the old procedure in correcting clerical errors such as wrong spelling from marriage, birth and even death certificates.
Republic Act No. 9048
No entry in a civil register shall be changed or corrected without a judicial order, except for clerical or typographical errors and change of first name or nickname which can be corrected or changed by the concerned city or municipal civil registrar or consul general in accordance with the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
Any person having direct and personal interest in the correction of a clerical or typographical error in an entry and/or change of first name or nickname in the civil register may file, in person, a verified petition with the local civil registry office of the city or municipality where the record being sought to be corrected or changed is kept.
(1) The petitioner finds the first name or nickname to be ridiculous, tainted with dishonor or extremely difficult to write or pronounce.
(2) The new first name or nickname has been habitually and continuously used by the petitioner and he has been publicly known by that by that first name or nickname in the community: or
(3) The change will avoid confusion.
The petition shall be supported with the following documents:
(1) A certified true machine copy of the certificate or of the page of the registry book containing the entry or entries sought to be corrected or changed.
(2) At least two (2) public or private documents showing the correct entry or entries upon which the correction or change shall be based; and
(3) Other documents which the petitioner or the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general may consider relevant and necessary for the approval of the petition.