How To Get A Philippine Postal ID: A Step-By-Step Guide

One of the most common government-issued IDs in the country is the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) ID. More commonly known as the postal ID, it’s available to all Filipinos and even foreigners who have lived in the country for at least six months.

With the national ID system still just on the verge of being rolled out in September, it’s great to have numerous forms of identification on hand—the Philippine postal ID being one of the easiest to get. Read on to know more about it, its uses, and the requirements and steps you need to take to get one.

How to Apply for a Postal ID

Why should you get a postal ID?

  • It allows couriers to verify the delivery of letters and parcel of the recipient
  • The postal ID can be used as a valid ID to apply for banking products like savings account, credit cards, and loans
  • Avail of discounts and freebies using it via the Postal ID Privilege Program
  • You can use it to get other IDs such as Philippine passport, OFW ID, and others

(Read: Guide To The Most Powerful IDs In The Philippines – And How To Get Them)

What are the requirements for a postal ID?

It’s easy to get a postal ID! The first step to applying for one, is to prepare the following documents:

  1. Two accomplished copies of postal ID application form
  2. Proof of identity (just one of the following):
    • PSA-issued birth certificate
    • GSIS or SSS UMID card
    • Valid driver’s license
    • Valid Philippine passport
    • If you don’t have any of the following or other valid IDs (check our list of valid IDs for more information), then you can submit any of these:
      1. Baptismal certificate
      2. College or post-graduate transcript of records
      3. High school form 137
      4. Marriage certificate (for married individuals)
      5. Alumni ID
      6. Valid NBI clearance
      7. Valid police clearance
  3. Proof of address (just one of the following):
    • Barangay certificate of residency issued no longer than three months prior to application of postal ID
    • Certified true copy of lease
    • Certified true copy of title issued by the Land Registration Authority
    • Certified true copy of real estate tax receipt
    • Bank statements
    • Credit card statements
    • School billing statements
    • Any utility bill statement

What are the steps in getting a postal ID?

  1. Go to the PhilPost website and download the application form. You can fill out the form using your computer then print two copies of it or you can get a blank copy and manually write your details. Protip: make sure to fill out all fields with the red check mark
  2. Prepare all the requirements mentioned above. Although the requirements only say one of the following, try to bring as much requirements as you can to avoid return trips to any PhilPost office.
  3. Go to any of the 260 ID capture stations in the Philippines and submit all the documents you have on hand. At the ID capture station, your photograph and fingerprint will be taken. Visit PhilPost’s website to know more about their capture stations.
  4. Want it fast? The agency has six rush processing stations that will allow you to pick up your postal ID the next day:
    • Las Piñas Central Post Office
    • Manila Central Post Office
    • Makati Central Post Office
    • Parañaque Central Post Office
    • Quezon City Central Post Office
    • Valenzuela Central Post Office
  5. For postal ID applicants who got it through normal channels, you can wait for the delivery to your mailing address between 15 and 30 days. Meanwhile, rush processing applicants can get theirs the next day.
  6. Want same-day pickup of your postal ID? Go to Manila Central Post Office and be one of the first 30 applicants there. You can get your card later that day between 4 and 5 PM!

(Read: Adulting 101: A Fresh Grad’s Guide To Employee Requirements And IDs)

How much is the fee for postal ID?

For normal processing, you have to pay P504, inclusive of VAT and other delivery charges. Meanwhile, rush processing can set you back by P650.

How long is my postal ID valid?

The brand-new postal ID is valid for three years. After that, you can go to any of the capture points of the PhilPost and submit your expired postal ID and two valid IDs.

You said the postal ID entails me discounts and freebies. Where can I get them?

To increase the value of the postal ID, PhilPost teamed up with several commercial establishments for the Improved Postal ID Privilege Program. To know which establishments are part of PhilPost’s discount program, check the company’s website.