The Philippine Statistics Authority has launched its E-Certificate Service, allowing civil registry documents to be requested, issued, and verified entirely online as part of the government’s digitalization drive on 25 February at the PSA Headquarters, Quezon City.

The platform, accessible through PSAHelpline.ph, enables institutions such as schools, employers, banks, and insurance firms to receive authenticated documents in digital format, reducing reliance on paper submissions.

“This event marks a significant milestone towards a truly digital Philippines,” said assistant secretary and deputy national statistician Minerva Eloisa Esquivias, adding that the PSA is working to make services “more secure, more efficient, and more accessible to every Filipino wherever they may be.”

National statistician and civil registrar general Claire Dennis Mapa described the initiative as “a clear step towards a smarter, more responsive government, one that places the citizen at the center of every digital advancement.”

Moving verification online

Under the new system, applicants no longer need to submit printed copies of PSA-issued documents for verification. Once a request is processed and authenticated, the agency releases a digital certificate embedded with a QR code and a unique reference number.

Institutions can instantly confirm a document’s authenticity either by scanning the QR code, which links to the official PSA portal, or by manually entering the reference details into the verification website. The E-Certificate carries the same legal validity as its paper counterpart but is secured by cryptographic features designed to prevent tampering.

The digital format also supports electronic submission through email, institutional portals, or integrated systems, allowing organizations to adopt a fully online workflow.

Expected gains for schools and employers

Educational institutions are expected to be among the first to adopt the system. By accepting verified digital documents, registrars can shorten admissions timelines and reduce the backlog associated with manual document handling.

Employers may also benefit from faster hiring cycles. Human resource departments often experience delays while waiting for applicants to submit physical civil registry records. With digital certificates that can be authenticated in real time, companies can complete pre-employment checks more efficiently while maintaining compliance requirements.

Financial institutions and insurers are likewise positioned to streamline client verification processes under the new system.

How applicants can access the service

Applicants may request civil registry documents online through PSAHelpline.ph. After the PSA processes and validates the record, the digital certificate is uploaded to a secure portal.

The applicant then receives the E-Certificate file, complete with its QR code and reference number, which can be shared electronically with any requesting institution. Verification can be done anytime through the official authentication portal, ensuring that both the document holder and the receiving institution have direct access to the original record.

With the rollout of the E-Certificate Service, the PSA advances its efforts to modernize public service delivery, offering a system that combines digital convenience with strengthened document security.