How to Apply for the Philippine National ID

The Philippine Identification System ID (PhilSys ID) also known as the Philippine National ID is the official national identity card for Filipino citizens worldwide and foreign permanent residents in the Philippines. It was first implemented as a pilot program in 2019 and is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. The primary aim is to provide Filipinos with government-issued identification giving them better access to public programs and financial services.

According to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua, the online registration for the national ID is now ongoing. If you are interested to apply, here is our step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Philippine National ID online.

How to Apply

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is now open for the registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) to the general public on Friday, April 30, 2021. This is the first step of the registration process and involves the online collection of demographic information and appointment-setting. Applicants will simply have to input their personal information and schedule their visit to centers to have their biometrics information recorded.

Here’s a quick overview of the three-step process to secure the Philippine National ID:

1. Go to the PSA online registration portal (https://register.philsys.gov.ph/) then register your information, including full name, gender, date, and place of birth, blood type, and address. Set your appointment for a visit to the registration center to have your biometrics information recorded.
2. Attend your appointment for biometrics capture that includes fingerprint, iris scan, and front-facing photograph.
3. Wait for your card to be issued. It will contain your 12-digit PhilSys number or personal serial number (PSN) and a 16-digit PhilSys card number (PCN).

The PSA is now coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) to set up fixed and mobile registration centers nationwide for the second step of the registration process. However, the locations of these registration centers will be announced later.

Requirements for the Philippine National ID

To register for the National ID, you need to submit at least one of the following documents:

Primary Documents

• PSA Issued Birth Certificate AND one (1) government-issued identification document which bears the full name, front-facing photograph, and signature or thumb mark;
• Philippine passport or ePassport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs;
• GSIS or SSS-issued Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card (UMID);
• Professional/Non-Professional Driver’s License or Student’s License Permit issued by the Land Transportation Office.

Secondary Documents

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
• 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
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• SSS ID
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
• License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance/ID
• Solo Parent’s ID
• PWD ID
• Voter’s ID
• Postal ID
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
• Philhealth ID
• Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
• A national ID from other countries
• Residence ID from other countries

If you do not have any of the documents stated above, you can submit the following as secondary supporting documents as long as it has your picture, signature/thumbmark, full name, address, and date of birth:

• Employee ID
• School ID
• Barangay Clearance/Certificate
• Barangay ID
• City/Municipal ID

Conclusion

The Philippine National ID is free for all Filipinos and has no expiration. It is not mandatory for every Filipino but you are strongly encouraged to get one. The PhilSys ID will not replace our existing functional IDs that serve other purposes like passports and driver’s licenses. Aside from providing valid proof of identity, the PhilSys will provide easier access to applications for eligibility to social welfare programs and benefits from the government. It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. It will likewise simplify public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.