Valid Primary and Secondary IDs in the Philippines

     An identification card or ID is an essential requirement in transacting with the government, private companies, and financial institutions, among others. Valid IDs however are further classified as primary and secondary and are accepted depending on a certain office's discretion.

     IDs are mainly used as proof of identity upon executing transactions like opening bank accounts, claiming money from remittance centers, visa application, securing an insurance, investing on stocks, or merely entering a private establishment.

     Though issued by the government, some IDs are identified only as secondary IDs such as Philhealth card, TIN card, NBI clearance, Barangay clearance, and CTC/cedula.

Here's a list of  PRIMARY IDs updated as of April 2017:

• Philippine Passport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

• Driver's License issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

• SSS UMID Card issued by Social Security System (SSS)

• GSIS ID or eCard issued by the Government Service Insurance System

• Digitized Postal ID (PVC type) issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost)

• PRC ID issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

• IBP ID issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)

• OWWA ID issued by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

• Senior Citizen ID issued by the local government in cities and municipalities

• Voter's ID issued by the Commision on Elections (Comelec)

• Diplomat ID issued by the Philippine Embassy

• OFW ID issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

• GOCC and Government ID issued by a branch or agency of the government

     If you do not have any of the IDs aforementioned, you would be required to present or submit at least two secondary IDs. In case of loss of primary IDs, secondary IDs could be used to reapply for the issuance of new primary IDs. There are private institutions though that does not accept secondary IDs for security reasons. If you are planning to transact using secondary IDs, it is advisable to bring as much secondary IDs for a higher chance of successful transaction.

Here's the list of SECONDARY IDs updated as of April 2017:

• NBI Clearance

•Police Clearance

• Barangay Clearance

• Community Tax Certificate or Cedula

• Voter's Certification

• Government Service Record

• School ID for current students

• Elementary or High School Form 137 for current students

• Transcript of Records from University or College

• Land Title

• NSO/PSA Marriage Contract

• Seaman's Book

• Old Postal ID (must be valid up to date of transaction)

• Philhealth Card

• PWD ID

• TIN Card

• Firearms License Card

• NSO/PSA Birth Certificate

• PLRA ID

• Company ID

• Alumni ID

• Photo-bearing Credit Card

     It is important to have at least one primary ID to be able to transact with ease in all public and private companies and institutions. If you don not have one yet, obtaining a primary ID must be an utmost priority you should consider as early as now. Most primary IDs take 6 months to 1 year to obtain. In the case of voter's ID, it may even take years. If you need a primary ID as soon as possible, the easiest one to get is the new and improved Postal ID, which takes at least 7 days to a month at most.

     I hope this article had been helpful. For other questions and concerns, feel free to leave a comment or send us a private message on our Facebook page. Have a great day ahead!