Do you need to open a bank account? Or did you land your first job? Or maybe you just need to do a transaction with a government agency? Whatever it is, you need to have a valid identification card that proves your identity. It might be difficult since a valid government-issued ID is also required to apply for another valid ID. But here are some of the easiest and most accessible valid IDs that you can apply for whatever purpose you need.

Passport

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Passport is one of the most powerful identification cards you can get, and also one of the easiest in terms of requirements. Aside from being accepted in private and government institutions, it also serves as your identification when traveling around the world.

Where to apply: DFA or any consular offices or temporary off-site renewal centers

Requirements

• confirmed online appointment
• duly accomplished application form
• original and photocopy of birth certificate and/or marriage certificate issued by PSA
• valid government-issued ID (e.g. UMID, postal ID, driver’s license, etc.

Application process

1. Schedule an appointment online through their website.
2. Fill out the application form on the website.
3. Pay the processing fee and prepare the requirements.
4. Go to your scheduled appointment and have your biometrics captured.
5. Claim your passport at the office where you filed your application, or wait for delivery.

Validity: 10 years
Cost: PHP 950 for regular processing; PHP 1,200 for expedited processing
Arrival: 12 days for regular processing; 6–7 days for expedited processing

Find more information here.

Postal ID

The Philippine Postal ID is one of the easiest identification cards you can apply for. It is also accepted in many government and financial institutions as valid ID.

Where to apply: Philippine Postal Office and any of the 260 capture stations across the country

Requirements

• duly accomplished Postal ID application form – 2 copies
• proof of address (e.g. barangay certificate of residency, bank statement, utility bill, etc.)
• proof of identity, such as:
  • birth certificate issued by PSA or Local Civil Registry
  • GSIS or SSS UMID card
  • driver’s license
  • passport
  • marriage certificate (for married females who have changed their name as indicated in their birth certificate)

Application process

1. Fill out the Postal ID application form. Prepare two copies.
2. Head to any post office or capture station. Submit the duly accomplished application form, the payment, and the other requirements.
3. Once your requirements are accepted, proceed to the capture station to be digitally photographed and fingerprinted.
4. Wait for your Postal ID to be delivered to your address.

Validity: 3 years
Cost: PHP 504 total (PHP 450 processing fee + delivery fee + PHP 54 VAT)
Arrival: Delivered in 10 to 15 days for Metro Manila residents and 4 to 5 weeks for those in island provinces and remote barangays

Find more information here.

SSS Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)

The UMID card is one of the most powerful identification cards in the Philippines, serving as the common identification document for four government agencies: Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Where to apply: over 200 branches of SSS

Requirements

• duly accomplished UMID application form – 1 copy
• 1 valid government-issued ID

Application process

1. Fill out the UMID application form.
2. Choose an SSS branch and set up an appointment through My.SSS.
3. Go to your appointment and get your biometrics captured. For your attire, SSS has guidelines on what to wear, which you can find in the second page of the application form.
4. Wait for the notification that your UMID card is ready for pick up (or check your My.SSS account) and head to the SSS branch to claim your ID.

Validity: Lifetime
Cost: Free, but in case of a lost card, PHP 200 as a replacement fee
Arrival: ID must be picked up at the SSS office where the application was filed. You will receive a notification SMS once available for pickup, and the UMID card must be claimed within 60 days.

Find more information here.

Philippine National ID

Also known as the PhilSys ID or Phil ID, the national ID was mandated by Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act to serve as a valid proof of identity in the Philippines. It is accepted in all private and government institutions.

Where to apply: PSA, or registration centers across the country, including some malls

Requirements

• birth certificate issued by PSA
• any valid government ID (e.g. passport, UMID card, driver’s license)

Application process

1. Submit your demographic data to the Philsys website and schedule an appointment.
2. At your appointment, you will be asked to validate your submitted data and have your biometric information captured.
3. Wait for the delivery of your Philippine National ID.

Validity: Lifetime for Filipino citizens; 1 year for alien residents
Cost: Free

Find more information here.

NBI Clearance

Issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the NBI Clearance is a document that proves you have not committed any criminal offense in the country. While technically not an identification card, the NBI Clearance is accepted as a valid identification document in some institutions. It is also usually required when you start a new job.

Where to apply: NBI or any NBI Clearance center

Requirements

• 2 valid government-issued IDs (e.g. passport, postal ID, UMID, driver’s license, etc.)
• NBI Clearance online reference number
• NBI Clearance payment receipt

Application process

1. Register on their website.
2. Fill out the form.
3. Schedule an appointment at your chosen NBI branch.
4. Have your biometrics captured.
5. Wait for the release, which would be within the same day if you don’t get a hit.
6. In case you get a hit status, NBI will need to review your records and see if the hit is for you or a namesake. You will need to wait five to ten days for this.

Validity: 6 months to 1 year
Cost: PHP 130 as processing fee and PHP 25 as e-payment services fee, if applied online
Arrival: Same day release (if no hit)

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