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February 8, 2022
13 min Read
Flona

How to Get a Postal ID in the Philippines

How to Get a Postal ID in the Philippines: Application Guide

You must have heard about Postal ID plenty of times especially when talking about valid IDs that establishments here in the Philippines accept.

Unfortunately, not everybody knows how useful a Postal ID is or how to get one. For example, you can use this when you’re trying to start an online business or applying for employment.

In this article, let’s understand what a Postal ID is and why it’s important to have one. Then, let’s discuss how to get one and also answer some of the frequently asked questions.

Let’s get started.

What is a Postal ID in the Philippines?

A Philippines Postal ID is an identification card issued by the Philippines Postal Corporation for local and foreign postal transactions.

This card basically verifies who you are and where you live in order to complete a postal transaction.

Besides postal transactions, you can also use it as a valid identification document anywhere, (except for passport application/renewal).

Please note that there is news circulating right now that the new digitized Postal ID is accepted for passport application/renewal.

Unfortunately, offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs don’t see Postal IDs as a primary ID document yet so you can’t use your Postal ID for passport purposes.

Why get a Postal ID in the Philippines?

Before you can do anything legal in the Philippines (like applying for a new loan or starting a business), you need a valid ID.

Unfortunately, getting a valid ID isn’t that easy…

That’s because government establishments like the Commission on Elections stopped using IDs for voters. The new national ID card program is still rolling out applications so it’s out.

In this case, getting a Postal ID becomes significant to conduct legal matters. It’s also now the fastest and easiest government ID you can apply for.

Your Postal ID can be used in the following ways:

  • Verification of identity when applying for other government IDs like PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, SSS, and many others
  • Required identification document for banking purposes including personal loan, credit card application, and other products
  • Verification of identity when transacting at remittance centers (receiving and sending money)

What are the requirements for getting a Postal ID?

Like getting any valid IDs here in the Philippines, the requirements could be a little exhausting.

Basically, you will need to fill out an application form first and provide original and copies of a few documents.

The documents you need to apply for a Postal ID include the following:

  • Two filled-out Postal ID application forms (which you can get from any Post Office or download one online)
  • Other valid identification cards:
    • SSS UMID card/GSIS ID
    • Passport
    • Driver’s license
    • Birth certificate
  • If you don’t any valid primary identification cards, present two copies of secondary identification documents:
    • Baptismal certificate
    • Elementary or High School Form 137
    • OWWA ID
    • PhilHealth ID
    • Alumni ID
    • Seaman’s Book
    • Confirmation certificate
    • Senior citizen ID
    • Pag-IBIG ID
    • School ID
    • Transcript of records
    • Voter’s ID
    • PRC ID
    • TIN ID
  • Proof of residence that’s under the applicant’s name:
    • Barangay certificate (issued three months prior to your Postal ID application)
    • Utility bills (gas, electricity, water, cable, internet, etc.)
    • Credit card billing statement
    • Bank statement
    • Certified and verified lease copy, real estate tax receipt, or issued titles from the Land Registration Authority.
    • If you’re a married woman, there’s an additional requirement — a marriage certificate issued by the Philippines Statistics Authority

Postal ID Requirements for Foreign Residents

Understandably, you will need a different set of documents if you’re a foreign resident who wants to apply for a Philippine Postal ID.

The requirements include:

  • Filled out Postal ID application form (the same you need to fill out if you’re a resident of the Philippines)
  • Documents that prove your identity:
    • Passport (must be issued six months before your postal ID application)
    • Proof of your residency in the Philippines (must be issued only six months before your Postal ID application)
  • The proof of residency in the Philippines could be any of the following:
    • Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE)
    • Diplomatic Visa
    • Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card
    • Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
  • Documents that verify your address in the application form:
    • Land, House, or Condo Lease Contract (notarized)
    • Statement of Account from Hotel, temporary residence certificate (Issued within three months of postal ID application)
    • Utility Bill
    • Barangay Certificate of Residency temporary residence certificate (Issued within months of postal ID application)
    • Bank Statement
    • Hotel, Transient home, temporary residence certificate (Issued within three months of postal ID application)

Postal ID Requirements if You’re Trying to Renew or Replace Your ID

On the other hand, if you already have a Postal ID and you only need to renew or replace it, you don’t need the documents anymore that verify your identity and address.

The requirements are the following:

  • For renewal without changes in biographic data, you only need to bring:
    • Two copies of the filled-out Postal ID application form
    • Postal ID card (original or copy)
  • For renewal with changes in biographic data, these are the requirements:
    • Two copies of the filled-out Postal ID application form
    • Postal ID card (original or copy)
    • Further documents to verify the change in biographic data
  • For lost or stolen Postal ID cards, these are what you need:
    • Two copies of the filled-out Postal ID application form
    • Notarized affidavit of loss

How to apply for a Postal ID in the Philippines?

Getting a Postal ID here in the Philippines is easier than you might have imagined — at least compared to applying for other valid ID documents like a driver’s license or SSS.

Unfortunately, as of now, there’s no way of completing everything online. You do have the convenience of downloading the postal ID application from home.

At least, that only leaves you with two trips to the post office to finish the application.

Here are three simple steps of obtaining your Postal ID in the Philippines:

  1. Get a Postal ID application form (either download it online or get one from their office) and fill it out.

The application form looks like this:

  1. After filling out the application form, submit it (together with the required copies) and the other required documents to the nearest post office near you.

If you’re not sure where the nearest post office is, you can check out Postal ID PH’s website to see all the designated post offices in the country.

Make sure to bring some money with you too. Wherever you are in the country, you only have to pay a total of 504 pesos (including the delivery fee).

  1. After sending the application form and documents, you need to wait for a message from the post office that your requirements were approved.

Then, you will need to head over to the near ID capture stations (usually in post offices) for your signature, fingerprint, and photograph.

  1. After that, all that’s left is to wait (usually around 20 working days) for your Postal ID to reach your mailing address.

Rush Postal ID Application Processing

If you don’t want to wait too long, there’s also a rush service meant for people who urgently need their Postal ID.

Through this service, you could get your Postal ID within a single working day or even on the day of application if you went to the office earlier.

The basic application process is still the same as the regular application. The main difference is that you have to pay more fees, which is around 650 pesos.

On the other hand, the rush service isn’t available in all post offices. To save you some time, below is a list of all post offices that provide rush service:

  • Taguig City Hall (Gen. Luna St., Tuktukan, Taguig City Hall)
  • Manila Central Post Office (Liwasang Bonifacio, Intramuros)
  • Valenzuela Central Post Office (Valenzuela City Hall Complex, Maysan St.)
  • Makati Central Post Office (Gil Puyat cor. Ayala Ave., Malugay)
  • Taguig Central Post Office (M.L Quezon St., Prk 1 New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City)
  • Las Piñas Central Post Office (Las Piñas City Hall, Real cor. Pamplona St.)
  • SM Aura – Government Service Express (7/F SM Aura, Taguig City)
  • Parañaque Central Post Office (Ninoy Aquino Ave., Brgy. La Huerta)
  • Plaza Central Post Office (Q. Plaza Commercial Center, Felix Ave. cor. Marcos Hi-way, San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal)
  • Quezon City Central Post Office (NIA Rd., Brgy. Pinyahan, Diliman)
  • Robinsons Otis Central Post Office (2/F Lingkod Pinoy, Philpost Robinsons Otis, Paz M. Guanzon St., Paco, Manila

Unfortunately, as you can see from the list above, all the post offices that accept rush applications are in Luzon. However, it will come to Visayas and Mindanao soon.

Take note that rush applications are accepted Monday to Friday during office hours (8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon) and releases are from 4 to 5 pm.

However, if you go to the Manila Central Post Office, you can get your Postal ID on the same day if you applied at around 8 to 8:30 in the morning.

Furthermore, the postal offices at SM Aurora and SM Southmall release rushed Postal ID only after two working days, which is longer than the other post offices.

Upgrading to the New Postal ID Card

Please note that there’s a new Postal ID card around with upgraded security features.

Like other improved government-issued ID cards, the new Postal ID has more protection layers with verification features via a smartphone app.

Some of the key features of the new card include:

  • Comes with a scannable QR code with the Postal ID Verification smartphone app (verifies the card owner’s identity)
  • Comes with a security hologram that looks like a mailman
  • Printed at one location only (to avoid duplicates)

You can actually upgrade to the new Postal ID card easily.

All you need to do is download and fill out a Postal ID application form and take it to the nearest postal office. You also have to bring your old Postal ID card with you.

What is the Postal ID Privilege Program all about?

Your postal ID can provide you with various perks and privileges thanks to partner establishments. However, certain terms and conditions come with this privilege program.

For example, only the card owner is eligible to enjoy the privileges.

Furthermore, your Postal ID privileges cannot be availed in combination with the offers provided by the establishment like:

  • Senior citizen discount
  • PWD discount
  • Student discount

How to avail of the Postal ID Privilege Program

Availing and using the Postal ID Privilege Program is basically using your Postal ID like a discount card. There’s also no additional application needed.

To avail of it, you must have an idea of the partner established involved in the privilege program. You can see an exhaustive list on the postal ID website.

If you’re already at the establishment, you can directly ask the attendant whether or not they’re part of the privilege program.

Once you’re at a partner establishment, all you need to do is show the representative or cashier your valid Postal ID. You can then ask them for the services that your privileges apply to.

Then, simply follow their guidance and take advantage of your discounts and offers.

Frequently asked questions about Postal ID application in the Philippines

Here are some questions you may be asking about getting a Postal ID in the Philippines:

1. Is a Postal ID considered a valid ID?

Your Postal ID is considered a valid source of identification in all transactions except for passport-related transactions.

In addition to this, it’s the most convenient and reliable form of government identification.

Here are other spheres where your postal ID is accepted as a valid document of identification and verification:

  • As an identity proof when applying for other IDs issued by the government including SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG benefits
  • Identification for a bank loan application, bank account application, and credit card application
  • Identification proof for sending and receiving funds from remittance centers
  • To avail discounts and offers from partner establishments who are part of the privilege program

2. How long do the Postal ID release and delivery take?

Once you have filled out the Postal ID verification, it will take up to 15 working days to deliver your postal ID for residents of the Metro Manila area.

Unfortunately, the ID could take up to 20 working days for those who live in provinces. Moreover, the ID delivery could take up to 30 days for inner barangays and remote island residents.

Fortunately, you can always make use of the rush service program. However, it’s only available to Luzon residents as of now.

3. How many days will the Postal ID application take?

The Postal ID application is quick, convenient, and won’t take too long. All you need to do is fill out the form, provide the documents and submit your fee.

The first part can be done right away especially if you already downloaded the application form and you already gathered all the requirements.

The ID capture part is also easy since you only need to get your fingerprints and image taken. After that, you only need to wait for the delivery.

4. How much is the total fee when applying for a Postal ID?

Here are the charges you will have to pay when applying for your postal ID:

  • Postal ID plus delivery charges: 450 pesos
  • Vat 12%: 54 pesos

In total, you only need to pay 504 pesos. For rush services, the fee is 650 pesos.

5. How long is the validity of your Postal ID?

If you are a Filipino or foreign resident, your postal ID is valid for three years.

However, foreign residents must have a Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV) to have a card validity of three years.

For the rest of the foreign residents residing in the Philippines, the postal ID is only valid for one year.

6. How to renew the postal ID?

If your previous ID has expired, been damaged, or lost, you don’t need to worry. You can apply for the renewal or replacement of your Postal ID by the following processes:

  • For damaged or expired cards, you need to provide those and two photocopied copies of your Postal ID application form. Next, you must pay the 504 pesos application fee for ID renewal.
  • If you are looking to update or change the information on your ID card, you need to submit verified supporting documents like your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or proof of billing.
  • If you have lost your Postal ID card, you will need to submit a notarized affidavit of loss.

To obtain this affidavit, follow these steps:

  • First, visit your closest notary public.
  • Then, explain the events that led to the loss of your ID.
  • The notary public already has an affidavit template, so you don’t need to make one yourself.

Get a Philippine Postal ID easily

Postal ID is easy to obtain, and all residents and foreigners here in the Philippines must get theirs as soon as possible.

It also doesn’t cost too much and it’s fast. There’s also a rush service that would make getting it even quicker.

Getting one has a lot of benefits on your part since you can use the Postal ID as a valid ID in almost everything except for passport purposes.

There’s also the privilege program that provides you with discounts and offers on partner establishments across the country.

If you’re looking to get a Postal ID to start an online business, get reliable web hosting from z.com and enjoy features at an affordable price.

Flona
Flona / Customer Support Team @GMO

A Boss Level Tech nerd. Her interests range from all things web hosting to swiping food from the pantry. As she says, free food is the best food. You can't out nerd her and your food is definitely not safe when she's around.

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