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I’m certain that most Filipinos can relate- in order to get a valid government ID, you’d need two other government ID’s as a requirement. Talk about an unsolvable loop right?
I had to get a new government ID because I wanted to open a bank account for receiving and withdrawing earnings from my online gigs. But the thing is, my passport which was issued when I was a student had just expired and my school ID was no longer valid because I had already graduated. I had no other government issued ID’s.
Much to my dilemma, other ID’s like UMID for example would take you MONTHS before you’d be able to receive it.
I tried getting a UMID ID but they said it would take them 6 months before I’d be able to get it because of the pandemic.
Getting a government issued ID in the Philippines can be a pretty head scratching experience.
It doesn’t have to be that way however.
Do you know that the Postal ID is one of the easiest government ID’s to get in the Philippines?
The Improved Postal ID
The Improved Postal ID is one of the newer government ID’s issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation.
They’ve improved on the card’s security features by adding in a hologram to easily verify the authenticity of the card, and they also use a UV ink that is visible when illuminated by a UV light.
They also employ the AFIS or the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The AFIS is a biometrics authentication system that validates the uniqueness of an applicant by comparing his/her fingerprints with the database’s records.
Update: The Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA will now consider Postal Id’s as an acceptable ID for passport applications starting August 1, 2020.
Who can apply for The Improved Postal ID?
All Filipinos residing in the Philippines and Filipinos who were in the Philippines at the time of the application can apply. Foreign residents living in the Philippines for at least 6 months can also apply for the Improved Postal ID.
How much is The Improved Postal ID in 2020?
| Amount | |
| Postal ID + Delivery Fee | Php 450.00 |
| 12% Vat | Php 54.00 |
| Total | Php 504.00 |
For RUSH applications, the processing fee is Php 650.00.
What are the Postal ID application requirements for Filipinos?
For new applicants, you must bring the original and xerox copy of the following documents:
I. Two (2) copies of duly-accomplished Postal ID application form
II. PROOF OF IDENTITY – Submit any one (1) of the following:
- Birth Certificate Issued by NSO or Local Civil Registry
- GSIS or SSS UMID Card
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Passport
Married females must bring their marriage certificate to validate change of name from birth document.
Applicants with no Birth Certificate, UMID Card, Driver’s License or Passport may submit ANY TWO (2) of the following documents, at least one of which should bear the applicant’s photo and signature:
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 Basic Postal ID, Valid College, School or University 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 Police Clearance, Valid Seaman’s Book, Valid Senior Citizen ID, Valid Tax Identification Number Card, Valid Voter’s ID
III. PROOF OF ADDRESS – Submit any one (1) of the following:
- 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)
In my experience, since I didn’t have any ID’s, all I did was order an NSO birth certificate online and had it delivered to my mailing address. I also went to our local barangay to get a barangay clearance.
When I applied for a Postal ID, I only submitted my NSO birth certificate, barangay clearance, and Postal ID application form.
What are the Postal ID application requirements for Foreign Residents?
1. Two (2) copies of duly-accomplished application form
2. PROOF OF IDENTITY
a. Passport – must be valid for at least six (6) months prior to application
b. Any one (1) of the following documents relative to the stay in the Philippines valid for at least six (6) months prior to 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)
3. PROOF OF ADDRESS – Submit any one (1) of the following:
- Barangay Certificate of Residency – issued within three (3) months prior to PID application
- Certification or statement of account from hotel, transient home or any temporary residence within three (3) months prior to application
- Certification from hotel, transient home or any temporary residence within three (3) months prior to application
- Notarized, if applicable, Land, House or Condominium Lease Contract
- Bank statement
- Credit card statement
- School billing statement
- Utility bill (cable, electric, internet, landline, telephone, water)
Until when is the validity of The Improved Postal ID?
For Filipinos and for foreign residents with SRRV or Special Retiree’s Resident Visa, the Improved Postal ID will be valid for 3 years.
For other foreign residents, on the other hand, the Improved Postal ID will only be valid for 1 year.
How to Apply for the Improved Postal ID in 2020
Applying for the postal ID is super easy and fast.
All you have to do is submit the requirements to any post office branches.
After the screening of documents and payment, you will proceed to the nearest ID capture station where you’ll be photographed and fingerprinted.
You will be asked to remove any accessories like earrings, glasses, headbands, etc.
You will then be asked to review all your information from their computer screen to be transferred to your ID.
I went to the Quezon City Central PO branch along NIA Road and to my surprise, the entire application process only took me 10 minutes.
When will my Postal ID be delivered?
Once you’ve completed your biometric data capture, it will take at least 10-30 days for your Improved Postal ID to be delivered to your mailing address depending on your location.
- NCR – approximately 10-15 working days
- Other municipalities – approximately 20 working days
- Island provinces and remote barangays– approximately 30 working days
For RUSH Applications, it will be delivered the following day.
Note that only the following post offices branches allow for RUSH postal ID processing:
1. Las Pinas Post Office – Las Pinas City Hall Compound, Real corner Pamplona St. 1740 Las Pinas City
2. Makati Central PO – Post Office Bldg. Gil Puyat corner Ayala Avenue Malugay, 1200 Makati City
3. Manila Central PO – Liwasang Bonifacio, Intramuros, 1000 Manila
4. Paranaque Central PO – Ninoy Aquino Avenue Brgy. La Huerta, 1700 Paranaque City
5. Q. Plaza Central Post Office located at Q. Plaza Commercial Center, Felix Ave. Cor. Marcos Hi-way San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal
6. Quezon City Central PO – NIA Road, Brgy. Pinahan, Diliman, 1100 Quezon City
7. Robinsons Otis Central Post Office located @ 2nd Floor Lingkod Pinoy, Philpost Robinsons Otis, Paz M. Guanzon St., Paco, Manila
8. SM Aura – Government Service Express 7Th Floor Sm Aura Mall Bldg, Taguig City
9. SM South Mall Post Office located @ Lower Ground Floor, Government Services Section SM South Mall, Almanza, Las Pinas City
10. Taguig Central Post Office – M.L Quezon St. Prk 1 New Lower Bicutan Taguig City
11. Taguig City Hall – Gen Luna St. Tuktukan Taguig City Hall
12. Valenzuela Post Office – Valenzuela City Hall Complex, Maysan St. 1440 Valenzuela City
