The Philippines used to be one of the countries that didn’t have a standard national ID system. That was until the Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act happened.

Chances are, you’ve already completed the initial steps to owning a Philippine National ID (PhilSys) card or even already own one. As per the government, more or less than half of Filipinos have already started the process and as of May 2022, 10 million cards were already delivered.

Whether you’re just about to start the process, in the middle of it, waiting for your card to be delivered, or already have one, here’s a complete guide that gives you everything you need to know about the PhilSys National ID. Let’s begin.

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Related: How to track the status of PhilSys National ID delivery

Table of Contents

What is a PhilSys National ID?

Registering to PhilSys lets you get your National ID, which is a nontransferable identification card that can be used as a valid proof of identity in PH.

What does PhilSys mean?

The word PhilSys is short for the Philippine Identification System and is popularly regarded as the National ID system.

According to Republic Act 11055, the goal is to provide a central identification platform for all local citizens and foreign residents in the country.

Is it mandatory to get National ID?

No, as the law states that getting a National ID is currently not mandatory. Still, the government is encouraging everyone to get a PhilSys card as the platform will soon be used for the issuance of services by the government.

What is the age limit for PhilSys National ID?

There’s no age limit when getting a National ID, even newborn children are welcome. However, for kids below five years old, the government will only get their front-facing picture and demographic details. The PhilSys number will then be linked to their parent or legal guardian.

Once the children turn 5 years old, they can update their National IDs with more information and have their biometrics re-registered.

What does a PhilSys National ID look like?

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The card will feature the owner’s picture, PhilSys number (PSN), and information such as first, middle, and last name, sex, date and place of birth, blood type, civil status, and address. It also has a QR code that reveals the cardholder’s PSN and two fingerprint data.

How long is the PhilSys number (PSN)?

The PhilSys Number (PSN), which is displayed on the top left of your National ID, consists of a 12-digit number and is unique to every card holder.

What are the data collected for the PhilSys National ID?

Required

  • First name, middle name, last name
  • Sex
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Blood type
  • Address
  • Citizenship (Filipino or Foreign resident)

Optional

  • Email address
  • Mobile number
  • Email address

Biometrics

  • Fingerprint (Full set)
  • Front-facing image
  • Iris scan

What is the validity of the National ID?

The PhilSys ID has no expiry date. Although, newborns who already have one will eventually be given a new ID card when they turn 5 years old as they need to provide the unregistered biometrics.

How much is the PhilSys National ID fee?

The government is offering the National ID completely free for any Filipino citizen who wants one, including the delivery fee.

However, foreigners that live in the Philippines will have to pay a standard fee for the initial ID application, as well as for the renewal or replacement in case of a lost or damaged card.

Where can I use my PhilSys National ID?

One of the reason why the government pushed the implementation of PhilSys is to give more Filipinos access to a valid ID, which they need to transact with the private sector or government entities like:

  • Application for social welfare programs and benefits from the SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, and other government agencies
  • Issuance of passport, driver’s license, and other government-issued IDs
  • Bank account opening and other transactions with banks and other financial transactions
  • Tax-related transactions
  • COMELEC registration and voting
  • Admission to schools or government hospitals
  • Transactions for employment purposes

How to get a PhilSys National ID card

Am I eligible to get a Philippine National ID?

Pretty much anyone can get a National ID. You can register to PhilSys if you are:

  • Filipino citizen, even those with dual or multiple citizenships
  • OFWs and other Filipino citizens living abroad
  • Foreign nationals living in the Philippines for over six months

Step 1: Online Registration

Step 1.1: The Philippine government has made it really easy for anyone to get a National ID. The first step is to register and fill out the form that can be found on the register.philsys.gov.ph website. Once you land on the website, click “Proceed.”

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Step 1.2: Type your mobile number or email address and check the “I’m not a robot” CAPTCHA.

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Step 1.3: Key in the one-time password (OTP) sent to you on the provided email address or mobile number.

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Step 1.4: On the Privacy Note, scroll down and click the checkbox then hit Continue.

Step 1.5: Now, fill up all the required information: Name, Address, Date and Place of Birth, etc. Once done, click Next.

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Step 1.6: Double-check if all the details you’ve entered are correct. If you want to change something, click Modify. If all are confirmed, scroll down.

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Step 1.7: Click the checkbox with the red texts that you acknowledge that all the information you’ve provided is correct and complete.

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It also asks you if you have an e-money account, check the box that corresponds to your answer. Finally, click Continue.

Step 1.8: On the “Book Appointment” page, choose the Registration Center close to you or use the search box to find the center that’s not on the recommendation list.

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Then scroll down and choose “Book Later” if you want to continue the process on a later date or click “Choose Schedule” if you want to proceed.

Step 1.9: Choose the time and date of your appointment. Click “Confirm” then click “Continue.” You’ll see an appointment saying that your appointment has been confirmed. Simply tap “Next.”

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Step 1.10: You’ll be presented with a document that contains your appointment reference number. Scroll down and click Print/Download PDF to get the digital copy.

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Step 2: Go to the Registration center

Proceed to your chosen registration center at your specified time and date (see Step 1.9) and complete the process there and bring the requirements (see the requirements section below).

Requirements when on PhilSys National ID Step 2

Present the appointment reference number (ARN) that you can find on the digital document provided during the final online registration process (See Step 1.10). Also, present an original copy of any of the following:

Primary Documents

Secondary Documents

  • PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth/NSO-issued Certificate of Live Birth with Birth Reference Number (BreN)
  • LCRO-issued Certificate of Live Birth
  • PSA-issued Report of Birth
  • PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling
  • Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Identification Card
  • Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
  • Seaman’s Book
  • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
  • SSS ID
  • Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID
  • Licence to Own or Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID
  • NBI Clearance
  • Police Clearance/ID
  • Solo Parent’s ID
  • PWD ID
  • Voter’s ID
  • Postal ID
  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) ID
  • Philhealth ID
  • Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-issued Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
  • National ID from other countries
  • Residence ID from other countries

PhilSys will also accept any of the identification documents listed below as secondary supporting documents as long as they have front-facing photograph, signature/thumbmark, full name, address, and date of birth.

  • Employee ID
  • School ID
  • Barangay Clearance/Certificate
  • Barangay ID
  • City/Municipal ID

PhilSys National ID delivery

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How to track my National ID delivery?

Don’t know when your ID will come? You can easily track your PhilSys ID delivery by following these steps.

How long should I wait for the Philippine National ID delivery?

The Philippine Statistics Authority previously estimated a delivery time of up to six months. However, due to the millions of Filipinos already registered and waiting, the lead time may take a bit longer.


These are all the things you should know about getting and owning a PhilSys Philippine National ID. If you have further questions, let us know in the comments below and one from the team or community will try to help you out.

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43 Comments

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  1. Good day po Maam/sir
    Ask ko lang po kung kelan yung bigayan ng Id namin november 4 2021 kami eh
    Thanks po

  2. March 2021 pa po ako ngparegister, hanggang ngayun wala pa po ang card. Pagtrack ko po, delivered na raw ky Danilo sa Pasay. Taga-mindanao ho ako at wala akong kakilalang Danilo.

  3. I mr Generoso S. Ruiz and my wife Emily O.Ruiz registered national id last October 8,2021 Respectfully follow up when should we received the said id thank you.

  4. National id application was done last year in august 2021 at Gen. Trias Cavite but still no id was delivered. How long does it take to make one. Do we have to register again?

  5. Hi, gusto ko lng malaman kelan ko po makukuha national id ko,halos lahat dto sa lugar namin meron na.
    Last year pa po ako nag register,(July,2021)
    Sana po mabigyang pansin,salamat po.

  6. Ang tagal n national ID ko last year pa Ako nagregister jn Hanggang Ngayon Wala pa Rin Wala nman Silang sinasabing dahilan kung bkit umaabot Ng subrang tagal Yan sana nman makuha ko na yon national ID ko sa gobyerno ngayong taon na ito 2022 Taga olongapo city Po Ako salamat Po .