PSA adopts Arta’s recommendation on foundling registration and authority to solemnize marriage

THE Anti-red Tape Authority (Arta) on Monday announced that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has formally adopted its recommendations easing the process and requirements for securing a Certificate of Foundling and Certification of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM).

In a news statement, Arta said the PSA signed its Memorandum Circular No. 2021-24 on the Guidelines in the Registration of the Certificate of Live Birth of Persons with No Known Parent/s and the Amended Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2021 on the 2021 Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing the Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriages on December 14, 2021.

The agency said among the changes made in the guidelines for the registration of foundling include the new revised form for the Certificate of Foundling, renamed as the Certificate of Live Birth, which is found to be less discriminatory.

“The PSA also scrapped the requirements of the affidavit of the finder stating the facts and circumstances surrounding the child and the certification of the barangay captain or police authority regarding the report made by the finder,” Arta said.

“Instead, those securing the said certificate will only be required to submit four copies of the correctly and completely accomplished Certificate of Live Birth, the original or certified true copy of the social case study report, and the certificate declaring a child legally available for adoption (CDCLAA) in case the person with no known parent/s is subject for adoption,” it added.

Also, Arta said, PSA also removed the “burdensome” requirements in securing a CRASM, particularly the required list of 200 bonafide active members with their complete addresses and signatures.

Arta said required sworn statement containing the brief history of the religion or religious sect and the certified Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporations and by-laws, and updated General Information Sheet issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were also removed from the list of requirements.

“We strongly believe that these revised guidelines will help the Filipino public conduct smoother, faster, and more efficient transactions with their government,” Arta Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica said.