Have you applied for a Philippine national ID? Formally known as the Philippine Identification System or “PhilSys ID,” it is part of a national identification system implemented by the Philippine government. In this article, we will talk about the PhilSys ID, its purpose, and how you can apply or register for it.
What is the PhilSys ID?
The PhilSys ID is a non-transferrable card that will serve as a person’s proof of identity when making transactions, both in public and private sectors. It is based on the Philippine Identification System Act (Republic Act No. 11055), which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. The new system is carried out by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The goal of PhilSys is to establish a single, national identification system — not only for those in the Philippines, but Filipino citizens abroad, as well. The system will also include foreign permanent residents in the Philippines.
That being said, the PhilSys ID will NOT replace existing IDs, particularly those that are issued for specific purposes, such as driving licenses (for drivers), and passports (for travelers).
Notably, the PhilSys ID will have no expiration date for Filipino citizens. For foreign permanent residents, however, the ID will be valid for one (1) year only.
How to Apply for a PhilSys ID
The PSA, together with Local Government Units (LGUs), government agencies, and the private sector, has begun establishing fixed and “mobile” registration centers nationwide for the purpose of PhilSys ID registration. This involves three (3) major steps, as follows:
STEP 1. The first step involves the collection of demographic information, such a person’s name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, and address.
STEP 2. The second step involves the capture of biometrics, such as the person’s photograph and fingerprints. During this stage, supporting documents will also be validated.
STEP 3. The third step refers to the issuance of a PhilSys Number (PSN) and PhilSys ID, which will be sent via Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to the person’s given address.
NOTE: The entire process, from registration to issuance of the PhilSys ID, is free of charge. The physical ID itself is also free for all applicants.
List of Required Documents
During registration, applicants will be asked to show an original copy of at least one (1) of the following primary or secondary documents.
Primary Documents:
• PSA-issued Birth Certificate and one (1) government-issued identification document bearing the person’s full name, signature, and photograph
• Philippine Passport or e-Passport issued by DFA
• Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card (UMID) 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)
Secondary Documents:
• Certificate of Live Birth issued by PSA or National Statistics Office (NSO)
• Certificate of Live Birth issued by the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO)
• Report of Birth issued by PSA
• Certificate of Foundling issued by PSA
• Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• SSS ID
• Voter’s ID
• Postal ID
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ID
• Solo Parent’s ID
• Persons with Disability (PWD) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance/ID
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
• License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
• Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) issued by Philippine Retirement Authority
• School ID
• Employee ID
• Barangay Clearance/Certificate
• Barangay ID
• City/Municipal ID
• National ID from other countries
• Residence ID from other countries
Status of PhilSys ID Registration
On April 30, 2021, the PSA launched an online registration platform for those who would like to apply for a PhilSys ID. More than 51,600 people were able to register through the website, although it is currently being updated due to technical difficulties.
In the meantime, the PSA continues to conduct house-to-house visitations in select provinces nationwide, as part of STEP 1 registration. Meanwhile, around 6.4 million people from 32 priority provinces have already finished STEP 2 registration.
There you have it! Aside from serving as proof of identity, the PhilSys ID will certainly make it more convenient for people to access various services. To learn more about the national ID, the requirements for application, and registration locations — visit the official website of PSA at https://psa.gov.ph/philsys or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial.
