Complete List of Government Issued IDs in Philippines

In the Philippines, you'll need a legal form of identification. Even though enrollment for the national ID registration has begun, you may still have not signed up for one. If you don't already have a legitimate ID or don't have enough of them, you'll need to apply for a new form of ID that meets all relevant requirements-- including the requirements for buying an affordable house and lot for sale.

Furthermore, if you plan on being a fully-fledged adult, you should always keep two forms of valid IDs with you.

Complete List of Valid IDs in the Philippines

A person's identification may be verified with a valid ID. The individual's complete name, birth date, and home address are normally included in this. A wide variety of documents are recognized as acceptable identities in the Philippines, in contrast to the standardized national ID cards used in other nations. Below are the various Primary IDs that you must have in the Philippines:

1. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card

The GSIS eCard, widely regarded as the most cutting-edge kind of government-issued identification card, serves as not only a GSIS membership card but also as a GSIS transactional card, disbursement card, ATM card, and VISA debit card.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from the GSIS office or its counterpart. It has lifetime validity.

2. Driver's License from Land Transportation Office (LTO)

In the Philippines, you may get a student licensing permission, a non-professional license, or a professional license. All three of these licenses are valid forms of government-issued identification since they were issued by the LTO.

Where to apply: Obtaining a license may be done at a local LTO office or online using the LTMS or the Land Transportation Management System.

Validity: A Student Permit has a validity of one (1) year while Non-Professional licenses have three (3) years validity period. Meanwhile, for professional licenses, they can enjoy a minimum of five (5) years up to 10 years validity period.

Cost: For Student Permit, you have to pay around Php 317.63. Meanwhile, Non-Professional and Professional drivers need to pay around Php 685 for their licenses.

3. Philippine National ID

This document, sometimes referred to as a "Philippine Identification Card," is the primary form of identification for all Filipinos, anywhere they are in the world, and for all foreign permanent residents of the Philippines.

The primary purpose of a national ID as per the Philippine Identification System Act is to make it simpler for Filipinos to have access to their own personal data while engaging in business with commercial and public institutions.

Where to apply: Get your national ID card at any of these local agencies:

- Civil Registry Office (LCRO) in your municipality

- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) local or provincial offices

- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) branches

- Other government agencies or GOCCs may be assigned by the PSA

- Pag-IBIG or Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) branches

- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) branches

- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional and provincial offices

- PhilSys website

- Postal offices (under PHL Post or Philippine Postal Corporation

- Social Security System (SSS) branches

Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free and it has lifetime validity.

4. Philippine Passport

You probably already know that a passport is needed for international travel. On the other hand, it is not only the primary means of identification while traveling abroad, but also one of the most frequently accepted forms of identification in the Philippines.

Where to apply / Validity: You can apply for this valid ID from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website and it has a validity of 10 years.

Cost: For regular processing, it will cost you around Php 950 while you have to pay around Php 1, 200 for expedited processing.

5. Tax Identification Number ID

A TIN card eliminates the need for taxpayers to carry their Tax Identification Number all the time. Yet having one makes it easier to do things like create a bank account, transfer money overseas, and receive mail. This is also one of the best forms of legitimate identification for workers in the Philippines.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office. It has lifetime validity.

6. Postal ID

Have you heard that anybody may apply for a Postal ID? One of the quickest and least complicated forms of government ID in the Philippines is this one. It may be used to verify your name and address when dealing with private and government offices.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from any PHLPost branch. It has lifetime validity.

7. PhilHealth ID

When compared to other forms of legitimate ID on our list, a PhilHealth ID is among the simplest to get, aside from the fact that you need this to claim your benefits.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from any PhilHealth Local Insurance Office. It has lifetime validity.

8. Senior Citizen ID

This ID is available to senior citizens of the Philippines who are 60 years old or older. This is not only a legal form of identification, but it also qualifies the holder for a 20% discount at a wide variety of businesses and institutions, including eateries, retail shops, pharmacies, public transit, medical and dental services, and more.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs of your municipal or city hall. It has lifetime validity.

9. SSS UMID card

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) issued by the Social Security System (SSS) is also used as identification for the GSIS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG in the Philippines.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from any SSS or GSIS office. It has lifetime validity.

10. PRC ID

Those who have completed the licensing examinations in their respective fields, such as doctors, architects, and engineers, are issued this kind of identification. The ID card is both a means of establishing one's identification and qualification to engage in professional activities.

Where to apply / Validity: You can get this valid ID from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Central Office. It has three (3) years validity period.

Cost: For professions that require a baccalaureate degree, you have to pay Php 450 good for three years while for those that require a non-baccalaureate degree, it is Php 420 good for three years.

11. Voter's ID

Since it is granted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), one of the most powerful government agencies in the Philippines, the voter's ID is recognized as a genuine government-issued ID by both public and private institutions.

However, since 2017, when the national ID system was implemented, COMELEC has not issued voter ID cards.

12. PWD ID

Anyone living in the Philippines who has a permanent impairment may apply for a PWD identity card. The holder receives a discount equal to that granted to seniors (at least 20% off) at a wide variety of businesses. It also includes perks unique to the city, such as financial aid for schooling and mandated government insurance programs like SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

Where to apply / Validity / Cost: You can get this valid ID for free from selected government office such as Persons with Disability Office (PDAO), the Office of the Mayor, and the City Municipal Health Office. This kind of valid ID has lifetime validity.

Getting at least two (2) of these valid IDs will save you time and effort to prepare secondary IDs or other supporting documents when you buy an affordable house and lot for sale from Lumina Homes.

These primary IDs are essential not just for any government or private business transactions but also when you want to start an affordable house and lot Philippines investment with Lumina Homes. So, prepare these valid IDs beforehand and start your homebuying journey with us now!