DepEd OKs one-time submission of child's birth certificate for entire K-12

The Department of Education (DepEd) has allowed parents or guardians to submit their learner's birth certificate only once for the entire K-12 education in order to simplify the enrollment process.

"We've heard from parents that enrollment problems often come from documentary requirements—especially when records are lost, delayed, or need to be reprocessed. This change saves families time and money. More importantly, it helps ensure that no child misses the first day of school just because of paperwork," Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement on Saturday.

Under its revised guidelines, the DepEd said parents or guardians must submit the original or a certified true copy of the learner's birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly known as the National Statistics Office (NSO).

If unavailable upon enrollment, they may submit secondary documents—such as the National ID, persons with disability (PWD) ID, and the Philhealth ID—until October 31. In this case, the birth certificate should still be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Other secondary documents that are accepted include any primary government ID, Certificate of Live Birth, Marriage Certificate, Barangay Certification, Affidavit of undertaking signed by parents, NSO/PSA issued Certificate of Foundling, and Baptismal Certificate.

Meanwhile, special provisions are provided for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and residents of rehabilitation facilities enrolled in alternative learning system (ALS), who may submit certificates or proof of identity to their ALS teachers.

Enrollment can be done either in person or remotely, where parents or guardians may register their learner in-person by submitting the Basic Education Enrollment Form (BEEF) and necessary documents at school.

Learners, meanwhile, are also allowed to enroll themselves provided they are of legal age, while minors should have their enrollment form signed by a parent or legal guardian. 

Options for remote enrollment include sending completed digital forms through the school's email or messaging platforms, or dropping forms at designated boxes located in schools, barangay halls, or other collection points.

Digital and printed copies of the form could be accessed on DepEd's official websites, Learner Information System (LIS) support page, schools, barangays, and other designated locations. 

Late enrollees, the DepEd said, may still be accepted should they meet at least 80% of the number of school days and pass the quarterly requirements. If not, the school head may decide to accept the student and offer interventions to catch-up.

The agency underscored that students' records must be transferred directly between schools. 

Further, no voluntary fees shall be collected during the early registration and enrollment period.

The DepEd said the new policy is in response to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s call for faster, seamless, and more inclusive school registration, while also reducing the financial burden on families.

With the new guidelines, the DepEd said it expects that more students were enrolled this year across all grade levels in public schools during the nationwide registration period from June 9 to 13, 2025.

Classes for the School Year 2025-2026 will start on Monday, June 16, 2025. — VDV, GMA Integrated News