An individual’s citizenship defines the essence of his fundamental human rights. It is the core of a country’s diplomatic protection and is also often a legal or practical requirement for the exercise of rights and privileges, including the privilege to own a driver’s license.
In the Philippines, each citizen has that privilege manifested by the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) provision of a driver’s license. Having said that, it is, in turn, the individual’s responsibility to ensure that his citizenship is properly declared in his/her identification documents, like the driver’s license. In cases when there are changes in the citizenship of a foreigner in the Philippines or a Filipino with a driver’s license, it is his duty to update the LTO records under his name, by making a request for a revision of records at the LTO.
LTO Revision of Records: Change in Citizenship
Revision of records at the LTO refers to the process of updating or revising personal records of registered or licensed drivers. Making such a request to revise or update the citizenship in an individual LTO record refers to making a record change that usually stems from either gaining dual citizenship status with another country or acquiring a Filipino citizenship (for foreigners in the Philippines).
Changing the citizenship reflected in your LTO records, and consequently, in your driver’s license, is easy enough, thanks to the modernization efforts of the LTO. Having said that, there is no reason not to declare which country is protecting your basic human rights, especially since the LTO revision of records for changing citizenship is so easy to do either in person, via any of the LTO offices in the country, or online, via the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal. Plus, an updated LTO profile that shows that your correct citizenship ensures that the relevant authorities would know how to treat you accordingly in cases of emergencies. Aside from that, it also helps you get better and more personalized access to the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal for online LTO services and LTO alerts and notifications.
Benefits of LTO Change in Citizenship
Some of the benefits associated with record change for change in citizenship, include:
- The ability to use a driver’s license to drive freely without worrying about getting caught and facing fines, penalties, and other legal repercussions.for incorrect details.
- A valid driver’s license is a useful government-issued photo ID that is valid almost anywhere in the Philippines.
- Your citizenship does have an effect on what is and is not allowed for you.
- Your citizenship also defines the rights, privilege, and even punishments you get to receive as a licensed driver in the Philippines
Eligibility to Change Citizenship on LTO Records
Anybody who is a holder of a registered Driver’s License (DL) who recently got either a dual citizenship or has recently become a Filipino citizen and who wishes to update his Driver’s License Record with LTO is eligible to make this request.
The applicant must also satisfy the following conditions:
- Able to read and write in Filipino, English, or any major dialect
- Holder of Valid DL (foreign or local) or a DL that has not been renewed two (2) years after the expiry date
- Driver’s License or Appropriate Affidavit if DL is Lost or Mutilated
- Has no unsettled traffic violation
Requirements for LTO Revision of Records: Change in Marital Status
The requirements for making a record change for incorrect name with LTO requires submission of the following documents:
- Properly Accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL) Form
- Alien Certificate of Registration
- Foreign License
- Immigration Card
- Passport
- Requisition of Filipino Citizenship
- Visa
If the applicant is a Muslim:
- Affidavit of at least two (2) disinterested individuals
- Certification from OMA (Office of the Muslim Affairs).
Procedures for LTO Revision of Records: Change in Citizenship
Changing your citizenship in your LTO driver’s records is just like changing a misspelled first name. It is a straightforward process that can be done online via the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal or in person, by making an actual visit to any LTO branch in the Philippines.
In-Person, via the LTO office
To make the change, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Before you actually go for an LTO visit, you need to first prepare the documentary requirements for the information you wish to revise under your current LTO driver’s license.
Step 2: Once the documents are prepared, you will then need to submit them for evaluation and wait for the transaction ID to be generated by the system so you can present it for verification and confirmation of the details.
Step 3: The Evaluator will check the authenticity and completeness of the documents, then proceed with processing the ID.
Step 4: You will need to get your photo and signature taken for the records.
Step 5: Then, you will be sent to make the payment amounting to P30.00 regardless of the number of fields revised at the cashier.
Step 6: Once payment has been processed, you will just need to wait for the new driver’s license reflecting the correct information to be released.
Online, via the LTMS portal
To update your Driver’s License record via the LTMS portal, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Go to the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal at portal.lto.gov.ph.
Step 2: Log in or register for an LTMS account.
If the applicant is a new user:
- Click the “Register Now” button.
- Read all the terms and conditions and click the “Yes I accept” button. Then, enter the captcha code and finally click the “Next” button.
- Select the registration type and click the “Next” button.
- Fill in the personal details, contact number, citizenship, and type of license and click the “Submit” button.
- The verification link is sent to the given email ID, using the link the applicant has to create the password.
If the applicant has an existing account:
- Go to the login page and enter the email and password.
- Click the “Sign in” button.
Step 3: Once logged in, the applicant has to select “Licensing.”
Step 4: Click “Accept” to accept the Terms of Use.
Step 5: Select the type of license that you hold: Student Permit, Non-Professional Driver’s License, or Professional Driver’s License.
Step 6: Click Next.
Step 7: Select Revision of Records, then click Next.
Step 8: Choose the type of records you wish to revise: Personal, Address, or Citizenship. For change in citizenship, choose Citizenship.
Step 9: Click Next.
Step 10: Choose your citizenship using the dropdown next to the box, then click Next.
Step 11: Upload any one of the following documentary requirements (Immigration Card, Passport, Requisition of Filipino Citizenship, or Visa) by clicking the Upload icon, selecting the file to upload, and clicking Save. Make sure the file doesn’t exceed the allowed maximum file size of 2046 kb.
Step 12: Once done, click Next.
Step 13: Key in the License Number and Expiry date.
Step 14: Click Next.
Step 15: Continue with the rest of the procedures.
Step 16: Once the application is completed and submitted, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If everything is in place, the application will be accepted.
Step 17: The application will then be processed further. All the status updates will be sent via SMS to the applicant’s mobile number or can be seen via the LTMS portal upon login.
Step 18: Once the process is completed, the applicant gets a call from the LTO for instructions on how to complete the transaction.
Step 19: If required, the applicant needs to visit the office for the biometric/encoding process.
Step 20: You might need to wait for a while to get the updated permit from the office.
Important Reminders
In this section are some useful tips you need to remember when requesting for record changes, especially for a change in marital status, at the LTO:
- Making a request to update citizenship via the LTMS portal only requires either an Immigration Card, a Passport, a document proving the Requisition of his Filipino Citizenship, or a Visa, depending on the citizenship you are changing it to.
- Drivers who are interested in making requests to change citizenship should ensure that he has no pending cases before the department.
- Drivers with pending cases of violations need to settle those first or his application for record change may not be approved.
- This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.
- Updating of citizenship may be done online, via the LTMS portal, or in person, at an LTO branch office.
- If you’re visiting a busy LTO office, make sure to check with them if they require an LTO appointment or if they accept walk-ins.
- You will need to prepare enough funds for the LTO fees and payments of other incidental expenses.
Video: How to Request for Revision of Records from LTO
You can learn how to update your citizenship on your driver’s license as well as the process of making a request for an LTO Revision of Records and the requirements to do so from this video posted by PetChi Mix TV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For your reference, here are some of the most common questions and answers regarding the change in marital status at the LTO:
1. Can I make the request to update the citizenship reflected on my LTO Driver’s License online?
Yes. You may initiate the request online via the LTMS portal. Just log into your LTMS account and follow the steps to complete the record change. However, in certain cases, you might be required to visit an LTO office to complete the procedures.
2. Can I update my citizenship when I renew my license next?
Yes. You may process the record change upon license renewal. The documentary requirements and the LTO fees will vary depending on the license type and the other LTO transactions you wish to do along with it.
3. How much does the revision request for change in citizenship cost?
The LTO fee for any kind of revision of records transaction, including changing your citizenship, is all set at P30.00. Other additional LTO-related transactions may entail additional fees.
Summary
Getting issued a driver’s license is your privilege as a citizen of the country that has granted you your driver’s license or the privilege to drive on public roads. As such, it is your responsibility to ensure that you, at least, set your public records straight. This will ensure that you are treated accordingly wherever you may be driving. To make it more convenient to do so, the LTO keeps moving forward with modernization and building online and offline infrastructure for the benefit of the transacting public. The agency also simplified many processes, including the revision of LTO records so difficulty cannot be used as an excuse not to do so. After all, being allowed to drive legally in the Philippines has its own perks, and you can only do so by making sure you adhere to the rules and regulations of the LTO