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 or computer. You’ll need to provide a few personal details as well as a selfie photo, so a smartphone is ideal.
How to Get a Digital Copy of Your National ID
As mentioned, you’ll need a smartphone with a decent Internet connection to get your Digital National ID. Alternatively, you can use your computer or laptop, but you’ll need a webcam to take the selfie photo.
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: Open the National ID website
Go to the National ID website at https://national-id.gov.ph using your browser. Read the consent agreement and click the “Proceed” button.
Step 2: Enter your personal information
Provide the following demographic information as provided during the National ID registration:
- First Name – Enter your first name or given name.
- Suffix – If your name has a suffix like Jr. or III, select it from the dropdown field.
- Middle Name – Type your complete middle name (not initial). Check “No middle name” if you don’t have one.
- Last Name – Provide your last name or family name.
- Date of Birth – Enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, June 26, 1990 is 06/26/1990. For convenience, click the calendar icon to use the date picker tool.
Step 3: Take a selfie photo
The website will request access to your device’s camera. Press “Allow” to grant access.
Read the instructions on how to take a selfie photo and position your face so that it fits the oval window. Press “Start Liveness” to begin the facial verification process.
The website will start recording your selfie, so just follow the instructions to move your face forward or backward.
Step 4: Screenshot or save your Digital National ID
If your provided information and selfie photo both match your records in the PhilSys database, you will be able to view and save your Digital National ID.
Press the “View National ID” button to get the digital copy of your National ID.
Congratulations! You now have a Digital National ID! Take a screenshot of your ID or save it to your device. You may also tap your digital ID to view the back portion.
To summarize, these are the steps to get your Digital National ID:
- Visit the National ID website at https://national-id.gov.ph.
- Read the consent agreement and press “Proceed.”
- Enter your personal information and press “Continue.”
- Tap “Allow” to grant the website access to your camera.
- Take a selfie photo by following the on-screen instructions.
- Press “View National ID” to view your digital ID.
- Take a screenshot or save your Digital National ID.
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.
