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A Complete List Of Philippines Valid IDs

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Perhaps, the only country in Southeast Asia that hasn’t imposed a national ID system yet is the Philippines. Neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore had implemented an identification system for a long time now.

Without a proper identification system, Filipinos are required to provide a number of valid IDs to verify their identity during official transactions with the government, banks, or any other private institutions. Sometimes, they are even required to provide more than one ID for thorough verification of identity.

Valid IDs are those that are issued by the government and they usually come with a photo or the bearer or some form of biometric, making them unique and fraudproof.

If you are frustrated with the different types of identification documents required for your official transactions, here is a complete list and guide on what they are and how to get them.

1. Philippine passport

Philippine passport with map

Passports are not just useful when traveling overseas, it is also a widely recognized and accepted identification document that you can use in private- and government-related transactions. It is also used as a form of identification outside of the Philippines.

For your information

Where to get: At any Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regional office.

Validity: 10 years

Documents needed:

  1. PSA certified birth certificate
  2. One valid ID
  3. Supporting documents

Cost: ₱950 to ₱1,200

You can read our article on how to apply for a Philippine passport for a more comprehensive step-by-step guide.

2. Driver’s license

There are three types of driver’s license in the Philippines: student, non-professional, and professional. Each license grants different level of driving proficiency. This type of identification is acknowledged by both private and government offices, including banks.

For your information

Where to get: Issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Validity: 5 years

Documents needed:

  1. Duly accomplished application form for driver’s license
  2. Valid student permit
  3. Medical certificate with an official receipt from any duly-licensed and practicing physician

Cost: ₱ 318 to ₱ 820

Source: https://www.passport.gov.ph/requirements/new-application

3. SSS UMID Card

Image from http://jekkipascual.blogspot.my/

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) is one of the most powerful valid IDs in the Philippines, as it bears all the information of the cardholder’s local benefits. It also serves as a Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG ID.

For your information

Where to get: At any PhilHealth Regional offices

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. Two (2) 1×1 latest ID picture
  2. Two valid IDs
  3. Await Member Data Record

Cost: Free

Here’s where you can learn more about the basics of the Social Security System and how to get an SSS ID or UMID card.

Source: https://sssinquiries.com/umid/how-to-apply-for-umid-card

4. PhilHealth ID

Philhealth ID card

Other than providing PhilHealth members access to their PhilHealth benefits, a PhilHealth ID card (PhilHealth Insurance card) is also acknowledged as a valid ID.

For your information

Two types of PhilHealth ID

  1. PhilHealth regular ID card – a cardboard like ID card that isn’t fully laminated upon provision. It is not universally considered as a valid ID, only by a few government agencies and establishments.
  2. PhilHealth Insurance card – a fully laminated photo ID card that is acknowledged by all government agencies and all other establishments as a valid ID.

Where to get: PhilHealth Local Insurance Office (LHIO)

Documents needed for Regular ID Card

  1. PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
  2. Two 1×1 ID picture
  3. Member Data Record (MDR)

Document needed for PhilHealth Insurance Card

  1. PMRF
  2. Two 1×1 ID picture
  3. PhilHealth Regular ID card

Validity: Indefinite

Cost:

Regular PhilHealth ID – Free

Philhealth Insurance Card – ₱90 for the ID. ₱358 per dependent

For a more detailed, step-by-step guide, view our article on how to get a PhilHealth ID card.

5. TIN Card

While taxpayers aren’t required to carry their Tax Identification Number ID around, having one can come in handy for all kinds of transactions that will require verification of identity.

For your information

Where to get: Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. Birth certificate
  2. 1 valid ID
  3. TIN application form

Cost: Free

Source: https://www.bir.gov.ph/index.php/registration-requirements/primary-registration/application-for-tin.html

6. Postal ID

This ID card is the easiest to obtain. A postal ID’s primary use is to verify a person’s identity and address, but it can also be used as a valid ID for any transactions concerning government agencies and banks.

For your information

Where to get: Issued by PHLPost

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. Two (2) copies of duly-accomplished PID application form
  2. Proof of identity (NSO-issued birth certificate, SSS UMID card, Passport, or Driver’s License)
  3. Proof of address (Barangay Certificate of Residency, Certified True Copy of Lease, Bank Statement)

Cost: Free

Source: https://www.postalidph.com/requirements.html

7. Voter’s ID

Do you want to be eligible to vote? Apparently, being 18 is only the first part of the requirement, what’s next is registering as a voter and getting a Voter’s ID. Securing a Voter’s ID will take months to process as it will entail a fingerprint-matching process that will filter over 52 million voter records. This ID is granted to registered voters. All government agencies and private organization acknowledge this ID as it is issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Take Note!
This ID is only granted to registered voters.

For your information

Where to get: Commission on Elections (COMELEC)

How to apply:

  1. If you’re not yet a registered voter, go to COMELEC and bring a valid ID and register as a voter in your district.
  2. For registered voters: proceed to COMELEC with your valid ID and fill out their application form.

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. Bring any valid IDs
  2. Application form.

Cost: Free

Note: Voters ID are released a few months from the date of application. The release date of your ID are indicated in the claim stub provided after your registration.

Source: https://www.comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/Resolutions/AnnexA_ApplicationForm.pdf

8. Professional Regulation Commission ID

Professionals such as registered nurses,  engineers, architects,  physicians, and etc., among many others who passed their licensure exams are provided with a license card by the Professional Regulation Commission. The IDs serve as proof of identity and license to operate as a professional.

Take Note!
 ONLY APPLICABLE TO PROFESSIONALS WHO PASSED THEIR RESPECTIVE LICENSING BOARD EXAM.

For your information

Where to get: Professional Regulation Commission

Validity: 5 years

Things you’ll need:

  1. Oath Form (from the Professional Regulation Commission website) with your REFERENCE Number in check
  2. Passport ID Picture in Plain Background with Complete Name Tag
  3. 2 Metered Documentary Stamps
  4. Valid IDs (Photocopy it as well, optional and for emergency purposes)
  5. Current Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
  6. Short Brown Envelope
  7. Black BallPen
  8. Glue (for pasting the documentary stamp)

How to get your Professional Regulation Commission ID

  1. For your Initial Registration, you must first visit their website (prc.gov.ph). At the left side of your computer screen, you will see REGISTRATION eSERVICES. Click “Initial Registration”. Select Central Office.
  2. Register all your information in the required fields. Once you have signed up, you will be asked to upload a 2×2 ID Picture.
  3. After completing the online registration, your OATH FORM is now ready. A REFERENCE CODE will be shown. Take note of your reference code because it will be required by the cashier.
  4. Print out now your OATH FORM.
  5. Proceed to the Professional Regulation Commission Central Office to pay for the Baccalaureate Fee, submit your Oath form and your documents (placed inside a brown envelope)
  6. You will be given a claim stub that shows the release date of your license. (It’s usually 3-5 working days)

Cost: 

Baccalaureate Fee

Registration – ₱600

Annual Fee – ₱450

Total – ₱1050

Non-Baccalaureate Fee

Registration – ₱450

Annual Fee – ₱870

Total – ₱1320

Aside from claiming your ID, you can learn more about the application process and requirements with our guide to PRC Online Registration.

Download the PRC ID application form here, for renewal, duplicate, or change in ID details.

9. Senior Citizen ID

According to Republic Act 9994, better known as Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, every senior citizen is entitled to a 20% discount. Apart from the discount that senior citizens could access with this card, it’s also as good as their valid ID.

For your information

Where to get: Office for Senior Citizens Affairs

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. An Application Form (available at the OSCA office) duly accomplished
  2. A recent 1″ x 1″ ID photograph, and a photocopy of any of the following documents:
    • Voter’s ID (from Comelec)
    • Driver’s License
    • NBI Clearance
    • Police Clearance
    • Old Residence Certificate
    • Postal ID
    • Any combination of identification documents confirming the applicant’s name, date of birth and present address.
  3. Duly filled out application form.

Cost: Free

Source: https://www.wikiprocedure.com/index.php/Philippines_-_Apply_for_Senior_Citizen_ID_Card

10. OFW ID

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) encourages Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to get an OFW ID to assist them with banking and government-related transactions. Not only will this function as their membership card for POEA, but it can also be used for all other transactions in the Philippines.

For your information

Where to get: POEA or POLO office in the country of employment

Validity: Indefinite

Documents needed:

  1. POEA contract
  2. Work visa
  3. Passport
  4. OEC

Cost: ₱119.50

Source: https://idole.dole.gov.ph/

If you want to make your government and non-government transactions less painful, securing at least two or more of the valid IDs listed above could come in handy. Getting all of them is the most ideal thing to do, but the process of acquiring each can be a bit painstaking. So, prioritize the valid IDs applicable to your needs and transactions, so that verification of your identity will be seamless.  

Each valid ID can also provide you the opportunity to participate in some of the economic activities or grant you access to consumer-related services in the country. For the country to become more economically inclusive without a unified identification system in place, citizens should at least have a two or more of these valid IDs.

 

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