COE in 3 days — even while you're still employed
New job offer, a loan, a visa application — many of them ask for a Certificate of Employment. DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2020 gives it a short deadline: the employer shall issue a certificate of employment within three (3) days from the time of the request.
Ano ang laman ng COE?
Per the advisory, the COE specifies the dates of your engagement and of the end of your employment, and the type or types of work you did. And an important line: an employee whose employment is not yet terminated may also ask for a COE. You do not have to resign first.
Example: request on Monday
Illustrative example only.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 2, 2026 | Written request e-mailed to HR (keep the sent e-mail) |
| Thu, Nov 5, 2026 | Three days have passed — the COE should be in your hands |
| Fri, Nov 6, 2026 | Still nothing: send the follow-up letter with a new date |
| After that | File at the nearest DOLE Regional, Provincial or Field Office for conciliation |
⚠️ Tandaan. The 3 days count from your request, so make the request in writing and keep proof of the date. The COE is separate from final pay: final pay has 30 days from separation, the COE only 3 days from the request — one does not wait for the other.
Checklist
- ☐ Request in writing: e-mail or letter with a receiving copy
- ☐ State what you need: dates of employment and position(s)
- ☐ Mark the date 3 days after the request
- ☐ Day 4: follow-up letter
- ☐ Still none: DOLE office covering your workplace — all labor issues go through mandatory conciliation-mediation first
Libre ang template
The request already cites the 3-day rule, has a field for the due date, a ready follow-up for day 4, and a tracker for COE and final pay deadlines.
Legal basis: DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2020 (January 31, 2020), Parts I(1), III and IV; Labor Code Art. 228 as amended by R.A. No. 10396 (mandatory conciliation-mediation) — lawphil.net.