How to Get a Working Child Permit

Under Republic Act No. 9231, or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, provides that children below the age of 15 are not allowed to be employed, permitted, or suffered to work, in any public or private establishment. However, the said law also allows two exceptions to the rule—one is when the child works directly under the sole responsibility of his or her parent or guardian and the other one is when the child’s participation in public entertainment or public information is essential.

In those two exceptions, the child’s employer, parents, or guardian must first secure a Working Child Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before the child’s employment begins. It must be noted, though, that the child must only work for a short-term and on a per-project basis.

working child permit

One should prepare the following documents to be submitted to any DOLE Field Offices to secure a Working Child Permit:

  1. Notarized and duly accomplished WCP Application Form;
  2. Proof of schooling (any of the following);
    • Certificate of Enrollment;
    • Current School ID;
    • Certified True Copy of Current Report Card; or
    • If the child is not enrolled, Notarized Affidavit that the child shall be enrolled in the next school year;
  3. Authenticated copy of the child’s Birth Certificate or Certificate of Late Registration of Birth issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or city/municipal registrar;
  4. Medical Certificate issued by a licensed physician showing the physician’s full name, signature and license number (valid within 1 month from the date of issuance);
  5. Two (2) passport size photographs of the child;
  6. Any valid government issued ID of parent or guardian;
  7. When the employer is the parent, guardian, or a family member other than the parent of the child;
    • For legal guardian – Authenticated proof of legal guardianship;
    • For family member – Proof of relationship to the child;
  8. When the employer is in public entertainment or information;
    1. A certified true copy of the employer’s business permit or Mayor’s Permit;
    2. Notarized Employment Contract between the employer and the child’s parents or guardian; and
  9. Application fee (P100.00)

working child permit

Renewal

The validity period of the Working Child Permit shall be based on the working child’s employment contract and shall not exceed one year. The following set of documents, on the other hand, must be submitted to the DOLE Field Office, for the renewal of the permit;

  1. Notarized and duly accomplished WCP Application Form;
  2. Previously issued WCP Card;
  3. Proof of schooling (any of the following);
    • Certificate of Enrollment;
    • Current School ID;
    • Certified True Copy of Current Report Card;
  4. Medical Certificate issued by a licensed physician showing the physician’s full name, signature and license number (valid within 1 month from the date of issuance);
  5. Two (2) passport size photographs of the child;
  6. Any valid government issued ID of parent/guardian;
  7. Trust Fund or Savings Account Certificate issued by a bank under the child’s name;
  8. When the employer is the parent, guardian, or a family member other than the parent of the child;
    • For legal guardian – Authenticated proof of legal guardianship;
    • For family member – Proof of relationship to the child;
  9. When the employer is in public entertainment or information;
  10. A certified true copy of the employer’s business permit or Mayor’s Permit;
  11. Notarized Employment Contract between the employer and the child’s parents or guardian; and
  12. Application fee (P100.00)

For more information about the Working Child Permit, visit the DOLE website at www.dole.gov.ph.

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