Philippine IDs

Which IDs should you get first for a new job?

Follow the route below. Mark each document as done and the next step takes its place.

Your situation

First-time jobseekers get several documents free under RA 11261: the NBI, police and barangay clearances, the PSA birth certificate and the TIN. Start with a barangay certification. It works once, for one copy of each, and lasts a year.

Do you already have a government ID?

Tick any you have. It unlocks the NBI and police clearances.

Your route

0 of 9 done

Still to get: 9. Estimated cost: ₱0, about ₱470 to ₱705 saved with RA 11261.

  1. Do this next

    Barangay certification for first-time jobseekers

    FreeSame day

    This is your pass to waived fees on the documents below. It is valid for 1 year, so get it right before you start collecting documents.

    Cost
    Free
    Time
    Same day, as reported
    You need
    Proof you have lived in that barangay for at least 6 months; you will sign an oath of undertaking

    Ask for the “Barangay Certification under RA 11261”. Keep the original: agencies want it, not a photocopy.

  2. PSA birth certificate

    Free for you1 to 8 days

  3. National ID (PhilSys)

    Needs first: A PSA birth certificate (or a passport or LTO license)

  4. SSS number

    FreeRight away

  5. PhilHealth number (PIN)

    FreeA few daysYour employer can do this

  6. Pag-IBIG MID number

    Free2 to 3 daysYour employer can do this

  7. TIN

    FreeQuick onlineYour employer can do this

  8. NBI clearance

    Needs first: A valid government ID (one or two, depending on the ID)

  9. Police clearance (PNP)

    Needs first: A valid government ID

Later, if you need them: Philippine passport and Driver’s license.

Why You Need IDs for Your First Job

When you get hired, your employer needs to know who you are and has to register you with the government. That is why almost every company asks new employees for government-issued IDs, clearances and a few ID numbers before the first day of work.

For fresh graduates, this is usually the first time to deal with so many government offices at once. It feels overwhelming, but it gets simple once you know what to get first and what can wait. That is what the roadmap above is for.

The 4 Kinds of Documents Employers Ask For

  • Foundation document. This is your PSA birth certificate. Many other IDs ask for it, so it comes first.
  • Valid ID. A government-issued ID with your photo and signature, such as the National ID, passport or driver's license. See the List of Valid IDs in the Philippines.
  • Clearances. The NBI clearance, police clearance and barangay clearance. They show that you have no criminal record, and they expire, so they come last.
  • Government numbers. Your SSS number, PhilHealth number, Pag-IBIG MID and TIN. Your employer uses them to pay your contributions and to withhold taxes from your salary. Most are just numbers on a slip or an email, although some can also be issued as ID cards.

How the Order Works

Some documents need other documents, so the order matters. Your PSA birth certificate comes first, then the National ID, and the clearances at the end. The government numbers do not need another ID first, so you can get them anytime, ideally before you start working.

The clearances come last because they do not stay valid for long. An NBI clearance is valid for 1 year and a police clearance is valid for 6 months. If you get them too early, you may need to pay and apply again.

If you have no ID at all: you can still register for the National ID. When you do not have a primary ID, PhilSys accepts secondary documents such as a school ID, a barangay certificate or ID, or an employee ID. Make sure to confirm the current list with the registration center before you go.

What Is the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261)?

Republic Act 11261 is a law signed on April 10, 2019 that waives government fees on the documents required when you apply for your first job. It covers fresh graduates and out-of-school youth who are looking for work for the first time, locally or abroad.

With this law, government agencies, local governments and government hospitals cannot charge you for the following:

  • Police clearance
  • NBI clearance
  • Barangay clearance
  • Medical certificate from a public hospital (lab tests and procedures are not included)
  • PSA birth certificate and marriage certificate
  • Transcript of records from state colleges and universities
  • Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  • UMID card
  • Other government documents that employers usually require

About the UMID: the law lists the UMID card, but SSS has since replaced it with the MySSS Card. Ask SSS first if the free benefit applies before you apply.

How to Get the Barangay Certification

  1. Go to the barangay hall where you live. You must have been a resident of that barangay for at least 6 months.
  2. Ask for the Barangay Certification for first-time jobseekers under RA 11261.
  3. Sign the Oath of Undertaking, which says that this is your first time to look for a job.
  4. Wait for the certification to be signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer. It is free.
  5. Bring the original to each agency, together with your valid ID.

Take note: you can use this benefit only once, and for one copy of each document. It is valid for 1 year from the date on your barangay certification, so make a list of the documents you need before you start.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Getting the clearances too early. They expire. Get them close to the time you apply for jobs.
  • Bringing a photocopy of the barangay certification. Agencies want the original.
  • Having details that do not match. If your documents show different spellings of your name, PhilSys follows the entry in your PSA birth certificate. Check that your details match before you apply.
  • Waiting for your employer to give you an SSS number. Employers report you to SSS, but they do not generate the number. Get it before your first day, or ask HR if they can help.
  • Paying someone to rush your application. National ID registration is free. Do not pay anyone who offers to speed it up, and always use the official .gov.ph websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ID should a fresh graduate get first?

Start with your PSA birth certificate, since most other IDs ask for it. If this is your first job, also get a barangay certification so you can get the NBI clearance, police clearance and other documents for free under RA 11261. Then register for the National ID.

Can I get a National ID if I have no other ID?

Yes. PhilSys accepts secondary documents when you have no primary ID, such as a school ID, barangay certificate or ID, or employee ID. Check the current list with the registration center before you go.

Is the NBI clearance really free for first-time jobseekers?

Yes, once, if you present a barangay certification under RA 11261. The same goes for the police clearance, barangay clearance, PSA birth certificate and TIN.

Does my employer register me for SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN?

Employers are required to report new hires to these agencies. HR often handles PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and the TIN for you, but the SS number has to exist already, so get it before your first day. Some employers help with this, so ask HR.

How long are the NBI and police clearances valid?

An NBI clearance is valid for 1 year and a police clearance for 6 months. Get them last, close to when you apply for jobs.

Can I use RA 11261 more than once?

No. The benefit can only be used once, for one copy of each document, and it is valid for 1 year from the date of your barangay certification.

What if I have worked before?

Switch to "I’ve worked before" at the top of the roadmap. You won’t qualify for RA 11261, so you pay the regular fees.

That was the guide on which IDs to get first for your first job. Make sure to confirm the latest requirements and fees with the agency before you go.

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Last checked October 11, 2026 against government pages and news reports. Fees, rules and processing times change, so confirm on the agency’s site before you pay. This tool stores nothing: your choices stay on this page and in its link, which you can bookmark or share.