How to Get Postal ID in Philippines

We all know how difficult it is to simply get a valid ID in the Philippines, especially if you’re a student. Aside from a school ID, the easiest way to get a valid ID is to process and enroll for a postal ID.

I remembered when I got married, this was the very first valid ID that I got with married status.

I want to emphasize on the convenience that you’ll get from getting a Postal ID in the Philippines; so I made an intensive guide on the important things that you need to know about the Philippine Postal ID.

Everything from the process, requirements, fees, and length of validity are right here! So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on how to get a Postal ID in the Philippines, save this article for your reference.

What is the Philippines Postal ID?

Yes, all of us know that the Postal ID is simply a valid ID that we can present for transactions, but here’s the real deal about this ID.

The postal ID is what the Philippine Postal Corporation uses for international and local postal transactions. The ID contains your current home address and other personal information necessary for postal transactions.

Am I eligible to apply for a Postal ID?

All Filipino citizens currently living in the Philippines are eligible to apply for a postal ID. If you’re an overseas Filipino worker, you can also apply for this ID if you’re currently taking a vacation in the Philippines.

So, how about foreigners? Foreigners are required to live in the Philippines for a minimum of 6 months before being eligible to apply for a postal ID.

What are the requirements for a Postal ID?

I have mentioned that getting a postal ID does not require you to give tons of documents for identification. Here’s a list of the things that you need to prepare before your trip to the postal office:

Identification Documents

All you need to bring is 1 original and 1 photocopy of any of the following documents below:

For Filipino Citizens:

Birth Certificate Issued by NSO or Local Civil Registry
GSIS or SSS UMID Card
Valid Driver’s License
Valid Passport

In case you don’t have any of the above documents, you may submit two of the following identification documents below:

BIR ID
Baptismal Certificate
Certificate of Birth
College or Post-Graduate Transcript of Records
Confirmation Certificate
Elementary or High School Form 137
Marriage Certificate
Valid Alumni ID
Valid Basic Postal ID
Valid College, School or University ID
Valid Company ID
Valid Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
Valid NBI Clearance
Valid OWWA ID
Valid Pag-Ibig ID
Valid PhilHealth ID
Valid PRC ID
Valid Paper-based Postal ID
Valid Police Clearance
Valid Seaman’s Book
Valid Senior Citizen ID
Valid Tax Identification Number Card
Valid Voter’s ID

For females who are recently married (just like me when I applied for a postal ID), don’t forget to bring your marriage certificate so you can change your last name.

For foreigners:

Passport (must be issued at least 6 months prior application for Postal ID)
The following documents showing proof of stay in the Philippines (must be issued at least 6 months prior application for Postal ID)
Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
Diplomatic Visa\
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)\
Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE)
Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card

Proof of Address

You can provide one of the following documents for the proof of your address:

For Filipino citizens:

Utility Bill (Electric, Cable, Internet, Landline, etc)
Bank Statement
School Billing
Certified True Copy of Real Estate Tax receipt
Certified True Copy of Lease
Barangay Certificate of Residency (must be issued 3 months prior application for Postal ID)

For foreign residents:

Utility Bill (Electric, Cable, Internet, Landline, etc)
Bank Statement
School Billing
Land, House, or Condo Lease Contract (notarized)
Hotel, Transient home, temporary residence certificate (within 3 months of PID application)
Statement of Account from Hotel, temporary residence certificate (within 3 months of PID application)
Barangay Certificate of Residency temporary residence certificate (within 3 months of PID application)

How to apply for a Philippine Postal ID

Now that you already know everything that you need to bring before you visit any postal office, we can now move to the entire application process of getting a Philippine Postal ID.

Step 1: Bring all necessary documents

Make sure to bring one original copy and one photocopy of your identification documents. You can also bring extra photocopies for future use.

What I usually do is to photocopy all of the documents before going to the postal office because photocopy centers on government service channels usually have long queues.

Step 2: Secure and fill out your application form

Get a copy of the application form at the postal office (and make sure to bring a pen with you!).

You can also download the form at this link so you can print and fill it out before you go to the postal office. Secure two copies of this form and fill out all the necessary fields.

Step 3:Settle your payment and go to the ID capturing area

After the officer approved all your documents and checked, you can now settle your payments. After the payment, you can now go to the ID capturing section to get your photo captured.

They would also ask you to sign in an autopen or a signing machine which will be attached to your physical ID.

Step 4: Waiting time!

Everything is now complete, and all you need to do now is to wait. Here’s a glimpse of the approximate mailing time of your ID at your doorstep:

Within Metro Manila: 10 to 15 working days
Nearby provinces: 20 working days
Island provinces and remote barangays: 4 to 5 weeks

Note: There is a rush processing of the postal ID in which you can get it the next day from 4 PM to 5 PM. The rush processing is available from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM but of course, it will come in a much higher fee than the regular one. This process is only applicable to certain offices and you can check out the fees in the next section.

Manila Central Post Office located at Liwasang Bonifacio, Intramuros
Robinsons Otis Central Post Office located at 2/F Lingkod Pinoy, Philpost Robinsons Otis, Paz M. Guanzon St., Paco, Manila
Quezon City Central Post Office located at NIA Rd., Brgy. Pinyahan, Diliman
Makati Central Post Office located at Gil Puyat Cor. Ayala Avenue Malugay
Parañaque Central Post Office located at Ninoy Aquino Ave., Brgy. La Huerta
Las Piñas Central Post Office located at Las Piñas City Hall, Real cor. Pamploma St.
SM South Mall Post Office located on Lower Ground Floor, Government Services Section, SM South Mall, Almanza, Las Pinas City
Valenzuela Central Post Office is located at Valenzuela City Hall Complex, Maysan St.
Taguig Central Post Office located at M.L Quezon St., Purok 1 New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City
Taguig City Hall located at Gen. Luna St., Tuktukan, Taguig City Hall
SM Aura – Government Service Express located at 7/F SM Aura, Taguig City
Q. Plaza Central Post Office located at Q. Plaza Commercial Center, Felix Ave. cor. Marcos Hi-way, San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal

How much is a Postal ID?

We have talked about the rush processing fee and the regular processing, so the cost of your postal ID would depend on the type of processing that you chose. Here’s a breakdown of the fee differences of the two application processes:

Regular Postal ID application + Delivery: ₱504
Rush Postal ID application: ₱650

Can you apply for a postal ID online?

If you’re wondering if there’s a way that you can do all of these things online, unfortunately, there is none yet. All procedures are done on-site because the photo capturing feature, fingerprints, and signatures are needed to be taken.

Don’t worry, the entire process is super easy, and it didn’t even take me more than two hours to get these all done. Just make sure that you bring all the correct documents and fill out all the necessary fields on your form.

Can I Use the Postal ID as a Valid ID?

Definitely, yes! The Philippine postal ID is considered as a government issued ID and you can use it on many transactions as long as your ID is not expired. For Filipino citizens, your registered postal ID is valid for 3 years. As for foreign citizens, the ID will only be valid for a year.

Conclusion

Postal ID is indeed one of the easiest valid IDs that you can get since you need minimal requirements. So, if you’re a student or a fresh graduate looking for the fastest way to get a valid ID, then go to the nearest postal office to get yourself a Philippine Postal ID!

What is the Philippines Postal ID?

Am I eligible to apply for a Postal ID?