In the Philippines, having a valid government-issued ID is crucial for various transactions and accessing benefits. Whether you’re applying for a loan, opening a bank account, or claiming discounts, most institutions require at least one primary and one secondary valid ID. With the ongoing implementation of the national ID system, it’s important to understand what constitutes a valid government ID in the Philippines in 2024.
Primary Valid IDs in the Philippines
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the following are considered primary valid IDs in the Philippines:
- Philippine Passport or ePassport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) Card issued by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or Social Security System (SSS)
- Student’s License Permit or Non-Professional/Professional Driver’s License issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
These primary IDs must contain the following elements:
- Front-facing photograph of the ID holder
- Signature or thumbmark of the ID holder
- Full name of the ID holder
- Unique number or barcode assigned to the ID holder
Secondary Valid IDs in the Philippines
If an individual does not have any of the primary valid IDs, they can present secondary valid IDs. According to the PSA, the following are considered secondary valid IDs in the Philippines:
- PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/National Statistics Office (NSO)-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
- Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO)-issued Certificate of Live Birth
- PSA-issued Report of Birth
- PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Record Book)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- Senior Citizen’s ID issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and/or Local Government Units (LGU)
- Social Security System (SSS) ID
- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
- License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- Police Clearance/ID
- Solo Parent’s ID
- Person with Disability (PWD) ID issued by the National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) or its regional counterpart, Office of the Mayor, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office and other participating organizations with a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health (DOH)
- Voter’s ID issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
- Postal ID issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost)
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
- PhilHealth ID
- Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)
- National ID from other countries
- Residence ID from other countries
- Professional Identification Card issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- Eligibility Card issued by the Civil Service Commission
- Dependent’s ID Issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP)
These secondary IDs must contain the following elements:
- Front-facing photograph of the ID holder
- Signature or thumbmark of the ID holder
- Full name of the ID holder
- Permanent address of the ID holder
- Date of birth of the ID holder
It’s important to note that while the voter’s ID was previously considered a valid government-issued ID in the Philippines, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has stopped issuing voter’s ID cards since 2017 due to the implementation of the national ID system.
Obtaining a Valid Government ID in the Philippines
To obtain a valid government ID in the Philippines, individuals can follow these steps:
- Passport: Apply at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office
- Driver’s License: Apply at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) branch
- UMID Card: Apply at the Social Security System (SSS) or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) office
- PhilHealth ID: Apply at the PhilHealth office
- TIN ID: Apply at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office
- Postal ID: Apply at the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) office
- NBI Clearance: Apply at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office
- PRC ID: Apply at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) office
- OWWA OFW e-Card: Apply at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office
- Senior Citizen ID: Apply at the municipal office
- National ID: Apply at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) office
- PWD ID: Apply at the Persons with Disability Office (PDAO), City Municipal Health Office, or Office of the Mayor
It’s important to note that some valid IDs, such as the UMID Card, PhilHealth ID, TIN ID, and National ID, are free for initial applications, while others may have associated fees.
In conclusion, having a valid government-issued ID is crucial for various transactions and accessing benefits in the Philippines in 2024. By understanding the primary and secondary valid IDs recognized by the government, individuals can ensure they have the necessary documentation to fulfill their requirements. With the ongoing implementation of the national ID system, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments and requirements for obtaining valid IDs in the Philippines.