All Catholics have Baptismal Certificates; it’s proof that you have received the Sacrament of Baptism. When one gets married in the church or enrolls in a Catholic school, this document is required. How to get one? Read our guide in Getting a Baptismal Certificate for Catholics in the Philippines.

I’ll discuss the Baptismal Certificate for Roman Catholics as I am not knowledgeable of other religions' practices. And, as a Catholic Country, many ask kung paano kukuha ng Baptismal. It’s very easy, kaya kapit lang mga besh at basahin nyo ang guide namin.

Other articles you can read:

Baptismal Certificate

A baptismal certificate is a church document stating that the Baptized person received the Sacrament of Baptism. It contains the baptized person's name, baptized date, the parents, presider, and the godparents (ninongs and ninangs.)

Unlike Marriage Certificates and Birth Certificates, Baptismal Certificates are not public documents. Rather they are parochial documents and could only be asked from the Church where the person was baptized. There is no central database for the churches all over the Philippines or in one archdiocese.

Steps in Getting a Baptismal Certificate for Catholics in the Philippines

STEP 1: Know the following information –

Church – where the baptism was held. Like I said above, yung Baptismal Certificate hindi nakukuha kahit saan unlike PSA Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate. Dapat yung specific church talaga. Kung na-baptize ka sa Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in Cebu, you can’t get a certificate at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, sa Basilica lang. Kaya, if you don’t know where the person was baptized, you’ll need to ask parents, godparents, or remember kung saan ka nakitira when you were less than a year old. You can start asking the churches there if you have a record.
Name of Baptized
Parents of the Baptized
Baptismal Date – in case you don’t know the specific date, you may give your birthdate or an estimate of what month the baptism was
Purpose of Baptismal Certificate
Here are some purposes:
- Marriage at a Catholic Church – both groom and bride, must have a Baptismal Certificate when marrying at a Catholic Church
- Late Registration Birth – for those who have no Birth Certificate registered, you can submit the Baptismal Certificate as one of the requirements for late registration
- Catholic School Enrollment – some Catholic schools will require their students to have a Baptismal Certificate; they usually arrange First Communion and Confirmation, and it would be easier if they have that filed
- First Communion or Confirmation
Fees – may be PHP 50 – 200, depending on the Parish

STEP 2: Go to the Parish Office where the baptism was done. Inform them that you will need a Baptismal Certificate. They will ask you to fill in up information so that it will be easier to find.

STEP 3: Pay the fee. Come back at a date specified by the church staff. It may take longer if you don’t have the specific date as they will check their logbooks one by one; most church records are written and not yet in a database.

STEP 4: Get the Baptismal Certificate. An ID and the receipt might be asked.

Frequently Asked Question on Baptismal Certificate for Catholics in the Philippines

1. Can I get my Baptismal Certificate in another church?

No, Churches don’t share information with each other or a central database, so you would need to get the Baptismal Certificate at the church where it was held.

2. I was baptized in a Chapel, and there is no office; where can I get my Baptismal Certificate?

Go to the Parish or Church is in-charge of the chapel.

3. I can’t go to the Church, can I get my baptismal certificate sent to me?

You will need to communicate with someone in the area you know or the church on the procedure if you can’t personally get it.

4. My Baptismal Certificate is not found in the Church; what should I do?

Maybe you were not baptized there; please double-check or look at other churches?

5. Is it true that I can’t get married at a Catholic Church if I’m not baptized?

Yes, you can’t get married unless both of you are Catholics. You need to get baptized first or opt for a Civil Wedding Ceremony if you don’t want to.

6. How do I get Baptized? What are the requirements?

These are the usual requirements:

Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate of Parents
2 Godparents (Sponsors)
Pre-Jordan Seminar of Parents and/or Sponsors
Church Fee
For adults, Catechist Recommendation

That’s our guide to Getting a Baptismal Certificate for Catholics in the Philippines. It’s pretty easy if you know the details, date, and location of Baptism. It’s better if you keep an extra copy or a soft copy in case it’s needed. Good luck and God Bless!

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and I fell in love with the experience. I aim to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, taking pictures, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.