How to Get a National ID in the Philippines

The Philippine National ID, frequently referred to as PhilID or PhilSys National ID, is a uniform identity database for all Filipino citizens and permanent residents. Its goal is to give legitimate evidence of identification for a variety of activities and services, including opening bank accounts, applying for social assistance, enrolling in schools, and traveling within the nation. Let’s walk through the methods for obtaining the PhilID in this article!

Source: Philippine Identification System

What is the Philippine National ID?

The Philippine National ID was formed by Republic Act No. 11055, also known as the Philippine Identification System Act, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law in August 2018. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is in charge of carrying out and overseeing the PhilSys. The ID intends to provide a unified national identity system for all Republic of the Philippines residents and resident foreigners. 

PhilSys’s legitimate proof of identification shall be used to ease both public and private purchases and serve as a fiscal and social framework that encourages streamlined delivery of social assistance and enhances financial accessibility for everyone. The PhilSys, as a fundamental electronic identity system, will alter how operations are rendered in the Philippines and expedite our transition to a world of digital commerce, including the ability to conduct presenceless, paper-free, and electronic payments.

Benefits of a PhilID

Accountability & Transparency

Allow Filipinos a greater grasp of their personal information. PSN holders will be able to control who sees which information about them while utilizing PhilSys national ID to conduct purchases. It will help to increase openness and accountability in the way data is utilized in the Philippines.

Establish a Better Digital Economy

Collaboration and confidence in digital governance and the digital economy must be enabled and promoted. PhilSys should help the government and corporate sector to make a larger shift to digital, interactive, citizen-centric provision of services.

Ease in Business Promotion

Encourage accessibility of doing business. It would provide an infrastructure for the government and business sector to verify the identity of their customers in both in-person and online commerce in a digitized and automatic style.

Reduce Fraud

Improve service integrity and decrease fraud. PhilSys will individually identify each registered person on a nationwide scale with high certainty, therefore eliminating identity theft and strengthening the integrity of functioning identification registers.

Centralized Data Infrastructure

Increase the accessibility of services. PhilSys will be open to all Filipinos, and its credentials are acceptable for the majority of purchases. It will give individuals access to financial, social, and healthcare services and additional government offerings.

Source: Philippine Identification System

Application Steps for PhilSys National ID

Step 1 – Prepare the Requirements
  • A valid mobile phone number and email address.
  • A primary identification document such as your passport, birth certificate, or alien certificate of registration. If you lack a main document, you may offer a secondary document, such as a driver’s license, voter’s ID, or senior citizen ID. The complete list of eligible papers may be seen here.

Step 2 – Proceed to the Nearest Registration Center

Regardless of where you live, you can select any registration facility that is easily accessible to you. The list of currently operational registration centers may be found here. Alternatively, you may also register online via this link.

Step 3 – Follow the Identification Process

Bring your PRF (printed or digital), reference number or QR code (if you pre-registered online), and primary or secondary documents.

A PSA employee will next use biometric equipment to take your photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan. Follow the directions and recommendations for capturing biometrics, such as removing jewelry, dressing appropriately, and looking directly at the camera.

Step 4 – Claim your Receipt and Transaction Slip

Claim the receipt indicating that your registration was successful. You will also be notified through SMS or email of your 12-digit PhilSys Number (PSN), a distinctive identification number allocated to you.

PhilSys Number (PSN)

The PSN will be utilized as an identifier for any transactions using your PhilID. It will additionally be displayed on your actual PhilID card, along with your complete name, gender, date of birth, blood type, address, marital status, citizenship status, contact number, email address, signature, picture, fingerprints, iris scan code, and QR code.

Step 5 – Wait for Your PhilSys National ID

The final step is to wait for your PSN and PhilID card to be delivered to your home by a PSA-approved courier provider. When the courier arrives, you must produce your transaction slip or other acceptable ID.

The time frame for delivery could differ based on where you live and transportation access. You may check the progress of your delivery here.

Common Questions about the PhilID

Is the ID Transferrable?

The PhilID is a non-transferable card that holds the registrant’s demographic and biometric information, including complete name, birth date, address, front-facing picture, and the PhilSys Card Number, or PCN.

The PSN is microprinted on the reverse of the PhilID, which also includes the date of issue, gender, blood type, marital status, birthplace, and an electronically signed QR code.

What is the PhilSys Registry?

The PSN, listed records, recorded history, and known information of all registered people in the PhilSys are all stored in the PhilSys Registry. Digital copies of finished application forms supplied during registration and subsequent revisions shall be considered registered records.

Where can I reach out to PhilSys for Concerns?

You may contact the organization through their website portal here. Alternatively, you may also send an inquiry to their email address at [email protected].

How Long is the Validity of the ID for Filipino Citizens?

The PhilID has no expiration date for Filipino nationals and will only be renewed upon request for information updating.

How Long is the Validity of the ID for Foreign Residents?

The PhilID is valid for one year for foreign residents and may be renewed yearly.

Does the PhilID have an Age Limit for Application?

Like most documents in the Philippines, such as the passport, the PhilID does not impose any age restrictions. Philsys registration is available to people of all ages, including newborns. 

Only demographic data and a forward-facing image will be taken from children under the age of five (5), and their PSNs will be connected to their parents or legal guardians. Their demographic details and full biometric information will still be collected at the time of registration, but they will have to update it and have their biometrics recorded whenever they reach the age of fifteen (15).

How will the PSA Ensure the Security of Registered Information?

The PSA takes the responsibility of preserving the privacy, security, and integrity of registered people’s data very seriously. Sufficient protections, including compliance with the Data Privacy Act, must be in place to ensure the safety of information, cybersecurity, safeguarding information, and privacy.

What Standards are Applied for the PhilID?

The PSA has been collaborating with the National Privacy Commission (NPC), the DICT, and the National Security Council. These organizations have been building the PhilSys’ infrastructure and procedures, including identifying and mitigating security and privacy issues. 

 Will the PhilSys National ID Replace Existing Government IDs?

The PhilSys National ID will not be used in place of current functional IDs that perform different functions. The PhilID is a fundamental ID that acts as genuine evidence of identification, easing interactions with both the governmental and private sectors through quicker identity validation and verification.

List of PhilSys Registration Centers

City of Manila
  • G/F GAMA Building J.P. Laurel cor. Minerva sts. San Miguel, City of Manila
  • Lingkod Pinoy Center 2/F Robinsons Otis, Paco, City of Manila
  • 3/F Adriatico Wing Robinsons Manila, Ermita
  • Lower G/F SM City San Lazaro, Sta. Cruz
  • T.Yangco Elementary School
  • Patricia Complex (Florentino Torres High School)
  • Centex Manila
  • Lakandula High School
  • T.Alonzo High School
  • R. Soliman High School
  • Abada National High School
  • A. Maceda Integrated School
  • Margarita Roxas De Ayala Elementary School
  • Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School
  • Claro M. Recto High School
  • Emilio Aguinaldo Integrated High School
  • Lucky Chinatown Mall 5th Floor, Reina Regente St. Binondo

City of Mandaluyong
  • Cinema Lobby 3/F Robinsons Forum
  • SM Megamall Bldg A, 3F Cinema 12 EDSA, Corner Dona Julia Vargas Avenue Ortigas Center
  • 3/F Bargain Center Market Place Gen. Kalentong St. 1550
  • 3/F Starmall Shaw, Harvard

City of San Juan
  • G/F Shoppesville, Greenhills Shopping Center, 1502 Ortigas Avenue

City of Marikina
  • Ayala Malls Marikina, Level 2
  • Teatro Marikina
  • SM City, 3rd Floor Main Building., Marikina, Brgy. Calumpang

Quezon City
  • Robinsons Novaliches
  • SM North EDSA
  • Robinsons Magnolia
  • SM Sta. Mesa
  • SM Fairview
  • Ayala Malls Cloverleaf
  • SM Novaliches
  • SM Cherry Congressional
  • Fishermall
  • Ayala Malls Fairview Terrace
  • Megaworld City Walk 2
  • Ayala Malls Vertis North
  • Ayala Malls UP Town Center
  • Wilcon City Center
  • Ever Commonwealth
  • Farmers Plaza
  • Eton Centris
  • Jackman

City of Makati
  • Old MSEMCO, Makati City Hall
  • Ayala Malls Circuit
  • 5th Floor, Cinema, Waltermart Makati, 790 Chino Roces Avenue, Corner Antonio Arnaiz Street, Brgy. Pio Del Pilar
  • SM City Makati, 3/F Annex Building, Ayala Center
  • Guadalupe Mall Complex

City of Pasig
  • Pasig City Institute of Science and Technology
  • SM City East Ortigas, Power Cinema Lobby
  • Robinsons Metro East, 4th Floor
  • Lucky Gold, 3rd Choice Market
  • Estancia Mall, LG East Wing, Capitol Commons
  • 3rd Level, Ayala Malls Feliz, Amang Rodriguez
  • Special Children Education Institute

City of Taguig
  • 5th Floor Office Tower Building, SM Aura
  • Multipurpose Hall of Western Bicutan
  • Venice Grand Canal Malls, McKinley Hill Drive, Upper McKinley
  • Uptown Mall
  • SM Grace Malls
  • BGCEA

City of Caloocan
  • Victory Central Mall
  • SM Sandagandaan

City of Malabon
  • Fishermall
  • MC Mall
  • Robinsons Town Mall

City of Valenzuela
  • One Mall
  • SM City Valenzuela

City of Las Pinas
  • Robinsons Place Las Pinas
  • SM Southmall Lower Ground Level Mall Extension
  • SM Center Las Pinas

City of Muntinlupa
  • Ayala Mall South Park
  • SM Center Muntinlupa

City of Paranaque
  • Ayala Malls Manila Bay
  • SM City BF
  • SM City Bicutan
  • SM City Sucat

City of Pasay
  • SM Mall of Asia Government Services Express
  • Resorts World Manila, 2nd Floor Newport Mall, Near Garden Wing
  • Double Dragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park East Entrance, Tower 4, Ground Floor

Adoption of new technology becomes ever more important in molding the country towards becoming a more competitive economy. The PhilID is only one of many innovative technologies that are emerging, all with the purpose of providing Filipinos with greener pastures and possibilities all over the world. A fundamental digital ID system, such as PhilSys, will help to construct a country. It will allow the Philippines to transition from inefficient and costly physical papers, procedures, and certifications to digital counterparts.

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