Imagine you’re at the government agencies in the Philippines and about to request an important document like birth certificate, a business permit, a tax declaration, or a land title transfer. You’ve waited in line for hours, only to be told that the ID you’ve presented isn’t accepted. Now, you have to go back home, find another valid ID, and repeat the whole process again.
This is a common frustration many Filipinos face when dealing with government transactions in the Philippines. Whether you’re applying for a passport, requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate, or processing a permit, having the right identification is essestial. Some transactions require primary IDs, which are generally issued by major government bodies, while others may accept secondary IDs as supporting documents.
Knowing which IDs are valid for these purposes—and which agency issues them—can save you time and avoid unnecessary delays. This guide provides a comprehensive list of the updated primary and secondary IDs in the Philippines and the issuing agencies, so you’ll be fully prepared for any government or official transaction.
List of Primary Valid IDs Philippines
Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID (National ID) or Philippine Identification Card (PhilID) / ePhilID. It is a universal ID used for all public and private transactions, ranging from government services to banking and insurance. This is issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly known as National Statistics Office (NSO).
Philippine Passport. It serves as official proof of citizenship and is required for international travel and other key government transactions like applying for visas or permits. This is issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Driver’s License. Official proof of driving privileges and a general form of valid identification for transactions like banking, employment, and government services. It is issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. it is a proof of professional license and credentials for individuals in regulated professions, required for employment and professional transactions. It is issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID. Identification for licensed lawyers to prove their professional status, commonly used in legal proceedings and government transactions. Issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
SSS ID or SSS UMID Card. Issued by the Social Security System.
GSIS ID or GSIS UMID Card. Issued by the Government Service Insurance Sytsem (GSIS).
OWWA ID. Provides access to benefits, welfare programs, and assistance for OFWs. It is issued by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification. Issued by the the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Firearms License. Issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Senior Citizens ID. Grants senior citizens access to discounts, healthcare benefits, and other government support services. It issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU).
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ID. It is issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU).
Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) or Immigrant Certificate of Registration (ICR). Identification for foreign nationals residing in the Philippines, essential for immigration-related matters and legal status. It is issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
Postal ID. Issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost).
School ID. Proof of student status for minors and individuals enrolled in formal education programs.
List of Secondary Valid IDs Philippines
Tax Identification Number or TIN ID. Required for tax-related transactions, employment, and other financial processes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Barangay Clearance or Barangay ID. Proof of residency and community membership, often required for local government transactions and as a supporting document.
PhilHealth ID. Issued by PhilHealth, this ID serves as proof of membership and allows access to PhilHealth benefits.
Police Clearance. Proof of no criminal record in a particular locality. Often used for employment purposes or as supplementary ID.
Company ID. Proof of employment, commonly used for accessing company benefits, facilities, and as general identification.
NBI Clearance. Issued by the National Bureau of Immigration (NBI).
Primary IDs are essential for most transactions and typically stand alone as valid proof of identity while Secondary IDs are useful as supporting documents but may require a primary ID for major transactions. These IDs typically government-issued IDs. Keeping your IDs up to date and understanding which ones are accepted for different purposes will help streamline your government or private transactions.
