You’re often asked for at least two valid IDs for most transactions in the government and otherwise. That’s why, even if you already have a passport or a national ID, it’s still good to have more identification cards on hand to prove your identity. And one of the easiest and most accessible ID cards to get is the Philippine Postal ID. If you don’t have yours yet, here’s how to get your postal ID.
Why should you get one?
The Postal ID is one of the easiest and most accessible valid IDs you can get. Its eligibility requirements allow all Filipino citizens to get it regardless of age, and even foreign residents are able to apply for it after a period of time.
There are also not a lot of documents required for application, so you can easily get a valid government ID that is widely accepted across the country, even in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). You can definitely use this ID in your passport application.
The Philippine Postal ID is valid for three (3) years for Filipino citizens and foreign residents with a Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV), while other foreign residents can use their Postal ID for one (1) year.
Who can apply for it?
You can get a Postal ID if (1) you’re a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines, (2) you’re a Filipino citizen living abroad but was in the Philippines during the time of application, or (3) a foreign resident who has been living in the country for at least six months before applying.
According to the Philippine Postal ID website, there is no age limit for applicants, as long as they fulfill any of the three eligibility requirements above. So yes, even students can easily get this valid ID for themselves!
Is there an application form?
Yes, there’s a one-page application form you need to accomplish. You can either visit your nearest post office or simply download it through the Philippine Postal ID website. Here’s a direct link to the form.
What are the required documents?
To get a Philippine Postal ID, you need to submit the following requirements:
- Two (2) copies of the duly accomplished application form
- proof of identity; and
- proof of address.
Accepted proofs of address are as follows:
- Barangay Certificate of Residency issued within three (3 months) prior to PID application
- Certified True Copy of Lease
- Certified True Copy of Titles issued by the Land Registration Authority (LRA)
- Certified True Copy of Real Estate Tax Receipt
- Bank Statement
- Credit Card Statement
- School Billing Statement
- Utility Bill (cable, electric, internet, landline, telephone, water)
Accepted proofs of identity for Filipino citizens are as follows:
- Birth Certificate issued by NSO or Local Civil Registry
- GSIS or SSS Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) Card
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Passport
If you’re a married female and you’re submitting your birth certificate, you must also bring your marriage certificate to confirm your name change in contrast to your birth certificate.
If you don’t have any of the above-mentioned IDs or documents, you can bring any two (2) of the following:
- BIR ID
- Baptismal Certificate
- Certificate of Birth
- College or Post-Graduate Transcript of Records
- Confirmation Certificate
- Elementary or High School Form 137
- Marriage Certificate
- Valid Alumni ID
- Valid school ID
- Valid company ID
- Valid Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
- Valid NBI Clearance
- Valid OWWA ID
- Valid Pag-Ibig ID
- Valid PhilHealth ID
- Valid PRC ID
- Valid Paper-based Postal ID
- Valid Basic Postal ID
- Valid Police Clearance
- Valid Seaman’s Book
- Valid Senior Citizen ID
- Valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) Card
- Valid Voter’s ID
But for foreign residents, only the following proofs of identity are accepted:
- Passport valid for at least six (6) months prior to Postal ID application
- Any one (1) of the following documents valid for at least six (6) months prior to Postal ID application
- Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACRI-Card)
- Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE)
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- Diplomatic Visa
- Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
Do you need to get your biometrics captured?
Yes, capturing your biometrics is a must for the Postal ID. So you would need to visit your local post office or other postal ID capture stations to submit your documents and complete your application.
Where can you apply?
You can go to the main post office, any post office branch, or the nearest postal ID capture station. According to their website, there are 260 postal ID capture stations across the country. You can find one near you through their locator.
How much is it?
You will need to pay a fee of PHP 504. This already includes the application processing fee and the delivery fee. If you want to have it ASAP, you can apply for rush processing for PHP 650. It might be a little pricey, but it’s worth it to have another valid ID to use.
Do you need to pick up the ID yourself?
No, you don’t have to go back to the post office to get your new ID. Since the post office will be delivering it to your doorstep, you just need to wait at home, and you get your new valid Postal ID. Hooray!
Do you already have your postal ID? Tell us what your experience was like in the comments!
