In transactions with people, institutions: private or public, or traveling; you need a valid ID to prove your identity. It’s easier to apply for bank accounts, cash-in checks or register to a government agency if you have a valid ID. So get as many as you can because it might be useful in the future.

Valid IDs don’t also prove your identity but each has information or perks that could be helpful to you like Passports can help you travel abroad, Senior Citizen ID can give discounts or the Driver’s License gives you permission to drive a vehicle. So here is the list of Valid IDs in the Philippines. Get at least one and don’t forget to put it on your wallets.

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1. UMID Card

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID is a union of 4 GOCCs - SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and PAG-IBIG. You can get a UMID Card if you are a member and has at least one contribution at SSS, GSIS. or PhilHealth.

GSIS is for government employees while SSS are for private employees, self-employed or voluntary payors.

Should you want a UMID ID, go to the nearest SSS or GSIS branch and apply for it.

2. SSS ID

The Old SSS ID (Blue) is a valid ID in the Philippines. However, they have been issued up to 2010 only since the UMID Card was promoted. UMID Card has better security features than the old SSS ID too. UMID Card has the Common Reference Number, while the SSS ID has the SSS Number. So take note of your SSS Number by having an online SSS Account or keeping your E-1 Form. Most owners of the SSS ID are Generation X (1980s and below).

3. GSIS ID

The GSIS eCard plus is only offered to Government Employees. The government employee can either choose a regular UMID GSIS Card or one that can serve as an ATM too especially for pensioners. Go to the Nearest GSIS Branch, Union Bank or Land Bank for a GSIS ID.

4. Postal ID

Everyone can get a Postal ID. Students, newly married women or unemployed persons can get this and use this as a valid ID in the Philippines. Before it was just paper with your details type-written, now it is a plastic kind of ID as thick and secure as the UMID Card. Just go to the nearest Philippine Postal ID Capturing Site to have your picture and fingerprints taken.

This will cost Php 504.00 and is valid for three years.

5. PRC ID / IBP Card

For those who are professionals or lawyers. The Professional Regulation Commission issues the PRC ID while the Integrated Bar of the Philippines issues IBP Card.

If you have passed the Board Exam or your course lets you be a licensed individual immediately. You can get your PRC ID after your oath-taking or at the PRC Office. For renewal, schedule an appointment and go to the PRC Branches or Service Center.

The IBP Card is for lawyers, you can get one from the National IBP Office or sending your application to them by mail. Or you could also go to the IBP office of your town or city.

6. Passport

Your Philippine Passport can not only be your key to getting out of the country and traveling the world, but it can also serve as a valid ID. You can get your passport at a DFA office near you. You could get an online Appointment at the DFA Website. And if you want to know the whole process, here is a Passport Application Guide.

7. Driver’s License

A Driver’s License issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is considered as a Valid ID in the Philippines. When driving a vehicle, always bring this as you may pay a violation if ever you are caught without one. Go to the Licensing Center, LTO District or Extension Office near you and apply for a Driver’s License. Remember, you must be at least 18 years old to get a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s license.

8. Student Permit Card

A Student Permit is granted for those who want to drive a vehicle and is at least 17 years old. So if you are younger than that, try getting a Postal ID instead. Go to the Licensing Center, LTO District or Extension Office near you and apply for a Student Permit Card.

9. Senior Citizen ID

For those Filipino Citizens who are 60 years young, you can get your Senior Citizen ID at the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) in your town or city.

10. OWWA eCard or iDOLE Card

The Overseas Worker Welfare Administration has issued and OWWA OFW Ecard for active Overseas Filipino Workers. You can use this for easier transactions at any Consulates or POLO Offices. You can apply for an OWWA eCard online and you can get your OWWA eCard at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office.

The iDOLE Card of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs is the old version of the OWWA eCard. However, the iDOLE Card is still a Valid ID in the Philippines.

11. Voter’s ID

A citizen who has the right to vote can get a Voter’s ID from the COMmission on ELECtions. Those who are at least 18 (Barangay, National, or Local Elections) or 15 (Sangguniang Kabataan) Elections living at least one year in the Barangay or Town s/he wants to vote can get an ID. Just go to the nearest COMELEC Office in your town or city to get your picture and data taken.

12. PNP Fire Arms License

Those who have guns and explosives should have a Fire Arms License from the Philippine National Police. Go to the nearest PNP Office with a Firearms and Explosive Office to get your license.

13. Residence Card

For those Filipinos who are considered a resident of another country. A resident card issued by that country or city you are living at can be considered as a Valid ID in the Philippines.

14. Seaman’s Book

A Seaman’s Identification and Record Book is exclusively for seafarers. It is their tickets in their world. You can do it by getting an appointment at the MARItime INdustry Authority (MARINA.)

15. PhilHealth ID

After your PhilHealth Registration, you can get your own PhilHealth ID. Though not really considered as a primary ID because you can easily paste your picture on this paper card and have it laminated .this can be considered a proof of identification good if paired with another ID or PSA Birth Certificate or NBI Clearance.

16. PAG-Ibig Loyalty Card

PAG-Ibig Card though taken by government personnel and printed in a thick plastic card is still considered a secondary ID. However, this card gives you discounts and freebies when used.

17. BIR TIN Card

Those who need to pay taxes once or regularly need to have a BIR TIN. You can get it at the RDO where you registered. As it is only printed on paper IDs and your picture is pasted, this isn’t always considered a primary ID. However, it could help you identify your TIN and could be paired up with another document for proof of identification.

18. PWD ID

For those Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), those who have physical or mental impairments can have a PWD ID. They can register or go to the nearest Social Welfare, National Council on Disability Affairs or DSWD Office in their town or city for issuance of PWD IDs. Since some are typed and your picture is glued, this sometimes makes it a secondary document. However, PWD IDs can grant you discounts and benefits too.

19. Solo Parent ID

A Single Parent or a person who gives parental care and responsibility of a child can get a Solo Parent ID. You need to go to your town, city or province’s DSWD office for submission of documents and assessment. It is only valid for a year, so you need to renew it. Solo Parents are also given benefits by the government like additional leaves and flexible work schedules.

20. Company ID

You can get a Company ID from the company you are working at. Sometimes, this won’t be considered as a primary ID since this isn’t government-issued but could do well as a secondary ID and needs to be paired up with another ID or Birth Certificate.

21. School ID

A School ID is a valid ID in the Philippines if you are an enrolled student of a school. The school will issue another ID valid for the school year or sign at the back of your current ID. To prove that you are indeed a student, some may ask your current load or a letter from the school.

There are many Valid IDs in the Philippines. If you are employed or self-employed; you can definitely have a UMID, PhilHealth, PAG-Ibig, TIN and Company ID. For those stay-at-home or unemployed, you can have UMID if you apply as a voluntary member, but if not a Postal ID is good to have. OFWs can also have OWWA eCard or Seaman’s Book, aside from their Passport. Benefits are also given to holders of Senior Citizen, PWD or Solo Parent ID.

With a lot to choose from, surely you can get at least two - Passport being the most important for our travel goals! Anyways, feel free to check out our other How-To Guides on getting these valid IDs!