Still waiting for your National ID? Wait no more because you can now get a digital copy of your National ID right on your cellphone or computer! It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
The much ballyhooed Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), which commenced in early 2019, was criticized by many for the slow issuance and deliveries of ID cards. In fact, I’m one of the millions of Filipinos who have yet to receive their ID cards, and it’s been three long years since I registered for the National ID way back in 2021.
If you’re still waiting for your National ID just like me, you’ll be glad to know that you can finally get a digital copy of it. You can use your Digital National ID as a valid form of identification while you’re still awaiting the release of your physical ID card.
Is the Digital National ID as good as the printed one? Absolutely! Your National ID comes with security features such as a QR code which can be scanned to verify and confirm your identity via the National ID eVerify platform. There’s no need for your signature which can be easily forged unlike a QR code.
In this short tutorial, I’ll teach you how to get a digital copy of your National ID using your smartphone.
How to Get a Digital Copy of Your National ID
You’ll need a smartphone to get your Digital National ID, since the eGovPH app is now the only way to access it. The old national-id.gov.ph website has been phased out.
Take note that you can only get a digital copy of your National ID if you have already registered for it. So if you have not yet registered for a National ID, then obviously you can’t get a digital copy of it. Read this article to learn how to register for a National ID.
Step 1: Download the eGovPH app
The first thing you have to do is to download the eGovPH app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
This is now the only official channel for your Digital National ID. Visiting national-id.gov.ph in a browser will no longer get you there.
Step 2: Register your account
Open the app and register using your mobile number. You will receive a one-time PIN (OTP) to verify the number before you can continue.
Step 3: Verify your identity
Enter your basic personal information as it appears in your PhilSys record, and then complete the facial recognition step.
Step 4: Verify your account with a government ID
To finish verification, scan a valid government-issued ID such as your passport, UMID, driver’s license, PRC ID, or NBI clearance. This step is mandatory before you can access your Digital National ID.
If verification doesn’t go through on the first try, don’t worry. It usually just means your details didn’t match your PhilSys record exactly, or the selfie didn’t pass the liveness check. Re-enter your info carefully, find better lighting, and try again.
Congratulations! Your Digital National ID is now available under Government IDs in the eGovPH app. You can open it anytime you need valid identification for your online and offline transactions.
To summarize, these are the steps to get your Digital National ID:
- Download the eGovPH app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Register using your mobile number and verify with the OTP sent to you.
- Enter your personal information and complete facial verification.
- Scan a valid government ID to finish account verification.
- Find your Digital National ID under the app’s Government IDs section.
Be sure to keep your Digital National ID private. Avoid sharing it with other people to minimize the risk of identity theft. If you really need to share your ID, especially online, you may blur out sensitive information such as your photograph and date of birth.
How to Check and Verify Your National ID via eVerify
Unlike traditional physical ID cards, the National ID lacks a signature, instead relying on a unique QR code to verify the real identity of the cardholder. This makes the National ID almost impossible to forge and falsify.
You can easily verify your (or someone else’s) National ID through the eVerify website. All you need to do is to scan its QR code and you’ll be able to see the personal details of the cardholder. You don’t need to install and use a separate QR scanner.
Step 1: Open the National ID eVerify website
The first thing to do is to open the National ID eVerify website at https://everify.gov.ph on your browser. You can either click this link or type everify.gov.ph on your browser’s address bar.
Step 2: Select “National ID Check.”
On the eVerify website, click or tap the “National ID Check” button.
If you represent an organization (e.g. government agency, company, financial institution, etc.), you may choose “Register as Relying Party” to open an account.
Step 3: Scan the QR code of the National ID
The website may ask you to use your device’s camera, so press “Allow” to grant access.
You may now scan the QR code of the National ID. The QR code is located at the right side of the front portion of the ID.
Note: Click the dropdown field and select “camera2 0, facing back” to use your phone’s rear camera instead of the front.
Step 4: The National ID has been verified
If the National ID is genuine or authentic, the eVerify website will then display the personal information of the cardholder including name, date of birth, place of birth, and marital status (at the time of registration). It will also show the PhilSys Card Number (PCN) and the Digital ID Number.
Closing Thoughts
Getting a digital copy of your National ID is easy and doesn’t take more than a few minutes. Do take the time to get your copy especially if you’re still waiting for the release of your physical ID card. It’s still considered a valid ID, so you can use for your transactions with government agencies as well as private institutions such as banks.
