How to Register to Vote in the Philippines (2025–2026 Guide)

If you're a Filipino (of legal age) and still an unregistered voter, what are you doing with your life? You'd better get up, register, and take part in helping decide who should lead the nation.

Here’s the latest from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on what you need to know about voter registration

What’s Happening Now: Voter Registration is open

Voter registration in the Philippines reopened on October 20, 2025 and will run until May 18, 2026, in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for November 2026. Registration is accepted at local COMELEC offices and satellite sites from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, including holidays.

NOTE: Registration in the Bangsamoro region will resume later, after the parliamentary elections in that area

Types of registration you can file

During the voter registration period, you can file for:

• New voter registration (first‑time voters)

• Correction of entries (e.g., name or address)

• Transfer of registration (to another city/municipality)

• Reactivation of an old voter record

• Inclusion or reinstatement of a voter’s name

• Updating records for PWDs, senior citizens, Indigenous Peoples, and more

How to register as a voter in the Philippines

1. Visit a COMELEC office or satellite site

Go to the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) or any designated satellite registration point in your city or municipality. COMELEC also runs the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) and Register Anytime Program at public places like malls and terminals.

2. Bring required documents

Prepare your valid ID (any government ID with photo and signature), photocopies, and your filled out voter registration form (CEF‑1). You can get the forms at the COMELEC office or pre‑fill them via iRehistro.

3. Fill out forms on site

Complete the forms in front of a COMELEC officer — signature and thumbprints must be done there.

4. Biometrics capturing

Your photo, fingerprints, and signature will be taken for verification.

5. Get your acknowledgement stub

Keep your stub or receipt — it’s your proof of registration.

You have the option to file online

COMELEC has been working to revive online registration (iRehistro) as an option to pre‑fill forms online before you go to a COMELEC office. This will make the process faster, but you still must personally appear to complete biometrics and submit paperwork.

For now, the online system is not a full registration portal — it only helps with form preparation and appointment scheduling.

What about Overseas Voters?

Filipinos abroad who plan to vote in future elections like 2028 can now register as overseas voters. COMELEC’s iRehistro lets overseas applicants generate the required OVF1 form with QR code, which must be printed and submitted in person at the nearest overseas voter registration site.

Overseas voter registration runs from December 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027.

Who is eligible to register?

To register as a voter in the Philippines, you must be:

• A Filipino citizen

• At least 18 years old on or before election day

• A resident of the Philippines for at least one year

• A resident of the place where you intend to vote for at least six months prior to election day

If you are still active as a registered voter, you typically don’t need to re‑register for each election. But it’s smart to verify your status if you haven’t voted in a while.

Tips before you register

• Bring multiple valid IDs

• Complete forms ahead of time for faster processing

• Visit COMELEC early in the registration period to avoid long lines

Registering to vote is the first step to making your voice heard in the Philippines elections 2026. Whether you’re a first-time voter or just checking that your registration is active, COMELEC makes the process straightforward with online forms and in-person verification at your local office. Don’t wait until the last minute—plan your visit, prepare your documents, and secure your spot on the voters’ list. Staying informed and registered ensures you can participate confidently in shaping the future of your community and country.

Featured image credit: twinsterphoto via Canva Pro