User:Terriethomas/Sandbox/phil

3. Writing for Records

 * Civil registry documents that can be obtained from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), beginning with the year 1945.
 * Click here for detailed instructions for requesting certificates by mail.
 * Click here to order records online.
 * Civil registry records from the National Archives of the Philippines, prior to 1945.
 * See Philippines Civil Registration (Archives Division) collection listed above under 1. Online Civil Registration Records to find the starting date for your province.
 * Click here for the Archives Collection and Access Division and you will find instructions and forms for ordering records from the National Archives.
 * A copy of the records have been retained in local civil registry offices. Because many records were lost or damaged in the war, checking both the national office and local office might help find a surviving record. Click here for a directory of office telephone numbers, fax numbers, and sometimes email addresses. To write to them, address your letter to:

City Civil Registry (postal code--find it here) (City) Abra, Philippines

English is the official language of the Philippines. The Letter Writing Guide will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.

3. Writing to Request Records
Begin by searching Catholic records unless you know your ancestor was of another religion. The Catholic Directory will help you find the addresses and telephone numbers (if available) for the Catholic churches in the Philippines. Write or telephone directly to inquire whether the diocese holds the parish records. Use the address below as an example:

Bishop of the Diocese or Parish Priest (name of Diocese or Parish) (city), (postal code--find it here), (province) Philippines

There are three methods available to effectively search The Catholic Directory:
 * 1) Search by ''Regions
 * 2) Search by Parish or Diocese
 * 3) Search by City or Province


 * Follow these steps to search by Regions.
 * Click the link and the Catholic Churches by Location page will appear.
 * Using the scroll bar on the right side of the page, scroll down to until you reach the section Browse Philippines Members.
 * Choose one of the Regions listed to access the addresses and phone numbers (if available) of the churches in that region.


 * Follow these steps to search by Parish or Diocese.
 * Click the link and the Catholic Churches in Philippines page will appear.
 * At the top of the page are two search boxes on the right.
 * Use the Church Name or Keyword search bar to enter Parish or Diocese.
 * Next use the City, State, Zip, County, Country search bar to enter Philippines.
 * Click the Search button to access the addresses and phone numbers (if available) of the Parishes or Dioceses.


 * Follow these steps to search by City or Province.
 * Click the link and the Catholic Churches in Philippines page will appear.
 * At the top of the page are two search boxes on the right.
 * Use the City, State, Zip, County, Country search bar to enter the name of the City or Province, Philippines.
 * Choose from the multiple choices which appear below the search bar.
 * Click the Search button to access the addresses and phone numbers (if available) of the churches in that location.

Write, call, or personally visit the parish or church. Ask for permission to study their records or make arrangements for them to search for you. It is usual to pay for their help in the form of a donation to the church. When you write, send the following:

For other religions, Google the denomination and the location. Many churches maintain websites.
 * Full name and the gender of the person sought.
 * Names of the parents, if known.
 * Approximate date and place of the event.
 * Your relationship to the person.
 * Reason for the request (family history, medical, etc.).
 * Request for a photocopy of the complete original record.
 * Check or cash for the search fee (usually about $10.00).

English is the official language of the Philippines. The Letter Writing Guide will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.