Philippine IDs How to Get a Postal ID: Requirements, ₱550 Fee and Same-Day Release
Updated October 30, 2026 · 6 min read
Good first ID
You do not need an existing ID to apply. A PSA birth certificate and a barangay certificate (or a utility bill in your name) are enough.
PHLPost also told offices not to ask for documents beyond its official list. Source: PHLPost: simplified Postal ID application (Circular 25-48).
- Regular
- ₱550includes tax and delivery
- Rush
- ₱650same-day at select sites
- Validity
- 3 yearsper PHLPost
- Accepted by
- DFA, banksremittance centers
The Postal ID from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is a plastic photo ID with biometrics and a QR code. It is one of the easiest government IDs to get if you are starting from a birth certificate, and DFA accepts it for passport applications.
Requirements
- One accomplished application form, filled in with bold black or blue ink. Get it at the capturing station or download it from phlpost.gov.ph or postalidph.com.
- One proof of identity: PSA birth certificate, National ID, UMID, driver’s license, passport, or another government ID with your photo and signature.
- One proof of address: barangay certificate of residency, a recent utility bill in your name, lease contract, land title, school billing statement, or other recognized proof.
- Only if your name or status changed: marriage certificate (married women using the spouse’s surname), death certificate or annulment decree (widowed or annulled), divorce decree, or naturalization certificate.
How to apply
- Find a capturing station
Post offices and selected mall stations take applications. PHLPost lists open stations on its website and social media pages, and it runs booths at government service caravans.
- Appear in person
Submit the form and your documents. Every new applicant must appear personally.
- Pay and have your biometrics captured
Pay ₱550 for regular or ₱650 for rush processing, then have your photo and fingerprints taken.
- Receive the card
Regular cards are printed centrally and delivered to your address; the fee covers delivery. Ask the station for the current delivery estimate for your area. Rush applications at same-day sites are released the same afternoon.
Same-day release
In April 2026, PHLPost began same-day release at its SM City Manila and Robinsons Otis branches. Cards are released at 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. At SM City Manila, applicants had to submit requirements between 11:00 a.m. and noon to qualify. Confirm the current cut-off with the branch before you go.
Example: You need an ID for a passport next week
Let’s say you have only your PSA birth certificate. Get a barangay certificate of residency in the morning, then apply for a rush Postal ID at a same-day branch before the cut-off. With the card in hand that afternoon, you have an ID DFA accepts. Bring the same birth certificate to your passport appointment.
Recent status of Postal ID issuance
- February 2026: PHLPost stopped accepting new applications because of printer problems.
- March 2, 2026: new applications resumed.
- April 2026: same-day release started at SM City Manila and Robinsons Otis.
- July 2026: PHLPost clarified that no existing valid ID is needed.
If your local post office says it is not accepting applications, ask when it resumes or try a mall station.
Compare with other IDs in our list of valid IDs, or see the first-job ID roadmap for the order to get documents.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a valid ID to get a Postal ID?
No. In July 2026 PHLPost clarified that first-time applicants do not need an existing government ID. A PSA birth certificate is enough as proof of identity, plus a barangay certificate or utility bill as proof of address.
Is the Postal ID accepted for passports?
Yes. DFA lists the Philippine Postal ID among acceptable IDs for passport applications, and PHLPost says banks and remittance centers accept it too.
How long is the Postal ID valid?
Three years, according to PHLPost. Renew before it expires if you rely on it as your main ID.
Can foreigners get a Postal ID?
Yes. PHLPost has said foreign residents who have stayed in the Philippines for at least six months may apply. Expect to present immigration documents.
Can someone apply for me?
No. PHLPost requires every new applicant to appear in person, because your photo and fingerprints are captured at the station.
How do I check if a Postal ID is genuine?
Scan the QR code on the card with PHLPost’s verification app. The card also has other security features.
Official sources and further reading
These are the PHLPost notices and reports checked for this guide. Fees and station schedules can change; check with the post office before you go.
- PHLPost: Simplified Postal ID application (August 2025)
- PHLPost: DFA reaffirms acceptance of the Postal ID; fees and validity
- Daily Tribune: No valid ID needed for a Postal ID (July 2026)
- Daily Tribune: PHLPost launches same-day Postal ID service (April 2026)
- PhilSTAR Life: Same-day release at SM City Manila and Robinsons Otis (April 2026)
- PhilSTAR Life: New applications resume March 2, 2026
- DFA: Acceptable IDs for passport application
Independent guide: PhilippineIDs.com is not affiliated with PHLPost or any Philippine government agency. Information reviewed on October 30, 2026.
