Philippine National ID Registration Step-by-Step Guide (2026 Updated)

The Philippine National ID is a single proof of identity for Filipino citizens and resident aliens. It is issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), and it can be presented in transactions with government agencies and private institutions. Registration is free.

The registration process has changed since this guide was first published in 2021. The PSA closed its online pre-registration portal in February 2023 and now accepts walk-in registrations only. This guide reflects the current process, the accepted supporting documents, and the three formats in which the National ID is now issued.

What is the Philippine National ID?

The National ID was established by Republic Act No. 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on August 6, 2018.

The law created a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines. Its stated aims include making services more accessible, reducing identity fraud, and supporting the country’s shift to digital government and a digital economy.

The National ID is issued in three formats, and the PSA states that all three carry the same validity and functionality:

• National ID card (the physical card);
• ePhilID, also called the National ID in paper format; and
• Digital National ID, accessed through the eGovPH app.

For Filipino citizens, the National ID has no expiration date. It is renewed only when the holder updates demographic or biometric information.

Two numbers are associated with the ID. The National ID Number is a randomly generated, permanent 12-digit number assigned to each registered person. It is confidential and should not be shared except with the PSA or where the law allows.

The National ID Card Number, printed on the front of the card, is the public version and is the number to use in physical and online transactions. Registrants can also generate an Alyas National ID Number through the National ID portal and mobile app as an additional token.

The National ID does not replace functional government IDs that serve other purposes, such as the UMID or a driver’s license. It’s a foundational proof of identity.

The Philippine national ID card contains basic information about the cardholder including:

• Full name (Given name, middle name and last name)
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Address
• Sex (Male or female)
• Marital status
• Blood type (O+/-, A+/-, B+/- or AB+/-)

The PhilID card also includes the PhilSys Card Number (PCN). The PCN is the public, tokenized version of the PhilSys Number (PSN), which is a unique and permanent 12-digit identification number assigned to every citizen and resident alien registered to PhilSys.

The PSN is considered confidential and should not be revealed or shared with others (aside from the PSA and when allowed by law), while the PCN is the public version of the PSN that will be used for physical and online transactions.

The PhilID card is also imprinted with the registrant’s photograph at the front and the micro-printed PSN and digitally-signed QR code at the back.

The national ID is free, except for renewals which will incur a small fee that will be determined by the PSA.

What Can You Use the National ID For?

The National ID serves as valid proof of identity in public and private transactions. It can be used to:

• Transact with the GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, and other government agencies;
• Avail of services at public hospitals, health centers, and related facilities;
• Apply for a passport and a driver’s license;
• Claim benefits and assistance from the DSWD;
• Open a bank account and conduct other banking transactions; and
• Complete any other transaction that requires an ID or proof of identity.

Because the system supports digital authentication, government agencies and businesses can verify a person’s identity against the national registry. The PSA says this reduces fraud and speeds up onboarding and service delivery.

Refusing to accept a valid National ID without just and sufficient cause is punishable by a fine of up to Php 500,000 under the law.

Who Can Register?

Registration is open to Filipino citizens and resident aliens. According to the PSA, registration is currently open to Filipinos aged 1 and above. Children aged 1 to 4 have only their demographic information and a front-facing photograph captured, and their National ID Number is linked to a parent or legal guardian. Full biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph) are captured at age 5 and recaptured at age 15.

The PSA describes the establishment of the system as mandatory under the PhilSys Act and strongly recommends that Filipinos register. Registering also gives you access to services that increasingly ask for the ID.

Overseas Filipino workers who are returning or departing can register at select Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) offices where the PSA has set up registration centers.

What Are the National ID Requirements?

Bring the original copy of one primary document. The PSA lists the following:

• PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth, together with one government-issued ID that shows your full name, a front-facing photograph, and your signature or thumbmark (Read our guide on how to get a PSA birth certificate);
• Philippine Passport or ePassport issued by the DFA;
• Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card issued by the GSIS or SSS; or
• Student’s License Permit, or a Non-Professional or Professional Driver’s License, issued by the LTO.

If the PSA birth certificate and the government ID show different entries, the entries in the birth certificate prevail.

If you have none of the primary documents, you may present one of the following secondary documents:

• PSA-issued or NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with a Birth Reference Number (BreN);
• Certificate of Live Birth issued by the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO);
• PSA-issued Report of Birth or Certificate of Foundling;
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID or Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID;
• Seaman’s Book, Seafarer’s Identity Document, or MARINA Professional Identification Card;
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID;
• Senior Citizen’s ID, Solo Parent’s ID, or Person with Disability (PWD) ID;
• SSS ID, PhilHealth ID, or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID;
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID;
• License to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF);
• NBI Clearance or Police Clearance or ID;
• COMELEC Voter’s ID;
• Postal ID;
• Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority;
• National ID or Residence ID from another country;
• Eligibility card issued by the Civil Service Commission;
• Conductor’s License issued by the LTO;
• Dependent’s or retiree’s ID issued by the AFP, PNP, or Philippine Coast Guard, and PVAO pensioner’s ID; and
• For members of indigenous communities, a tribal certificate or ID, a Certificate of Confirmation from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, or a certificate of tribal membership from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The following are also accepted as secondary documents, provided they show a front-facing photograph, signature or thumbmark, full name, permanent address, and date of birth: Employee ID, School ID, City or Municipal ID, Barangay ID, Barangay Clearance or Certificate, and a COMELEC Voter’s Certification. For pre-school and elementary School IDs, the owner’s signature or thumbmark is not required.

How to Register for the National ID

Online registration is no longer available. The PSA closed the register.philsys.gov.ph portal and moved to nationwide walk-in registration in February 2023. You don’t need an appointment.

Step 1: Go to a registration center

Bring your supporting documents to any PhilSys registration center and present them to the Registration Kit Operator. Centers are located at:

• PSA regional and provincial offices;
• Selected malls; and
• Local government units (LGUs).

Registration centers operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. The PSA also runs mobile registration in far-flung areas through National ID on Wheels and National ID on Boat.

The official list of centers is available on the PhilSys registration center page. Confirm the schedule of your chosen center before you go, particularly at mall and LGU sites.

Step 2: Validation and biometric capture

The registration staff will validate your demographic information against your supporting documents. Your fingerprints, iris scan, and front-facing photograph will then be captured.

Your signature is also recorded. The PSA advises registrants to provide personal and demographic details accurately.

Step 3: Review and confirm

Review your demographic and biometric information and confirm that it is correct before you leave the center.

Step 4: Receive your transaction slip

You will be issued a transaction slip that carries your Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Keep it, as the TRN is used to track the delivery of your National ID card and to request your ePhilID.

After Registration

The ePhilID (National ID in paper format)

The ePhilID can be released immediately after registration if the PSA confirms that there is no duplicate record and no discrepancy in your information. If it was not released during your visit, return to the nearest registration center with your transaction slip and request its printing.

Receiving the ePhilID does not cancel your physical card. Every registered person is still allocated a card.

Tracking your card

Enter your TRN at tracking.phlpost.gov.ph to check the delivery status of your National ID card.

If you lost your transaction slip, send your first name, middle name, last name, suffix (if any), date of birth, and gender to any official PSA channel to retrieve your TRN. If your card has not arrived, you can still obtain the Digital National ID once you are registered.

The Digital National ID

Every registered person is eligible for the Digital National ID. You can access it through the eGovPH app, which requires an Internet connection, your demographic information, and a live selfie for identity verification. The PSA states that the Digital National ID has the same validity as the card and the ePhilID, subject to authentication.

Its authenticity can be checked by scanning its QR code through the National ID Check at everify.gov.ph. Printing the Digital National ID on PVC or plastic is strictly prohibited and will not be accepted as proof of identity. Only the PSA is authorized to print and issue the National ID. If an establishment insists on a printed copy, request an ePhilID from a registration center instead.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide to the Digital National ID.

Updates, replacements, and non-acceptance

To update information on your record, visit a registration center that offers updating services and bring your National ID and supporting documents. You don’t need to register again, because your National ID Number is permanent. Registering more than once is prohibited and can cause problems with identity verification.

A National ID card with a peeled-off photo can be replaced free of charge through the PSA Regional Statistical Services Office or Provincial Statistical Office. For a lost or stolen ID, the PSA has asked the public to wait for its announcement of the replacement process.

If an agency or business refuses your National ID or ePhilID, email [email protected] with the date of the transaction, the name, branch, and address of the establishment, the nature of the transaction, and the reason given for the refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The Philippine national ID is definitely a must-have for every Filipino citizen. With a universal ID like PhilID, it’s no longer necessary to apply for an ID with the various government agencies like SSS, Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth and others. Your national ID is honored and accepted by all branches of government, making it easier for you to transact with the government and avail of public services and benefits.

And because the national ID is offered free of charge, even the poorest of Filipinos can have one. This enables the underprivileged – many of whom are lacking valid identification – to open bank accounts, obtain e-wallets, apply for loans, start businesses, and generally contribute to the economic and financial well-being of the country.

To know more about PhilSys and the Philippine national ID, visit the PhilSys website. If you have any questions and concerns about PhilSys and PhilID, you may email [email protected] or call the PhilSys hotline 1388.