The Great ID Race: Which Government ID Is the Fastest to Get in the Philippines?

Ang pagkuha ng Goverment ID na ata ang isa sa pinaka-exciting (at stressful) na gagawin ng isang adult. Bakit? Dahil lahat tayo, at some point, ay nag-pila, naghintay, at nagdasal na sana mabilis makuha ang ID na kailangan natin. Pero gaya ng ibang laban o race, may mga frontrunner at may mga nahuhuli. 

At dahil ang government IDs ay mahalaga — whether for job hunting, banking, o sa pag-avail ng Home Credit installment plans—dapat mong malaman kung anong ID ang pinakamabilis na makuha sa Pilipinas. 

Processing time: Same day

Bukod sa pagiging ID, may perks pa itong discount card. Medyo matagal-tagal lang bago lumabas, pero worth it kung gusto mong may extra gamit ang ID mo. Know how to get a Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus here.

Ano ang requirements: Original birth certificate and one photocopy, two government-issued IDs. Prepare a fee of ₱125. 

Processing time: 3 working days in Metro Manila, 5-7 working days for provincial areas.

Need mo na agad ng valid ID? Then Postal ID should be your first choice. Pwede itong kunin sa post office, simple ang requirements, at mabilis din lumabas. Kaya kung kailangan mo ng government-issued ID for banking or business transactions, make sure to apply one today.  Find out how to apply here. 

Ano ang requirements: Duly Accomplished Postal ID Application Form, one government-issued ID, proof of address, Prepare a processing fee of ₱550. 

Processing time: Same day to 3 weeks 

With online appointment, mas mabilis na makakuha ng NBI Clearance. Minsan same-day release pa, basta walang hit (a.k.a. kapangalan na may pending case). Perfect ito ara sa employment requirements at kahit sa mga financial transactions.

Ano ang requirements: Two valid government-issued IDs such as a passport, driver's license, TIN, Postal or SSS ID. Prepare a fee of ₱130 + ₱25 service fee if you use e-payment services. 

Processing time: Same day

Isa ang Driver’s License sa pinaka-valid IDs sa Pilipinas dahil accepted ito halos saan— from employment to bank applications. Kung kumpleto lahat ng requirements mo at pasado ka sa exam, makukuha mo ang Driver’s License mo sa parehong araw. Bilis diba?!

Ano ang requirements: For the full list of requirements, read our Driver's License guide. 

Processing time: 12 working days for regular, 6 days for special

Dream mo rin ba na maikot ang mundo? You will need a passport for that. This powerful ID has 10-year validity and is also great document for business and goverment transactions. Visit this link to schedule a passport application appointment online.

Ano ang requirements: Duly accomplished application form (You can download the form from the Consular DFA website), original and photocopy of birth certificate, 1 original and photocopy of any valid government-issued IDs. Prepare a ₱950 fee for regular processing and ₱1,200 for special processing.

Processing time: 15-20 days

The new MySSS Card officially replaces the Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card. It not only serves as a valid ID for SSS and other government transactions but also functions as a debit card, allowing members, pensioners, and beneficiaries to conveniently receive pensions, loans, and other benefits directly.

Ano ang requirements: Permanent SSS Number, an active My.SSS Portal account and, 1 government-issued ID.

Processing time: 1–2 weeks

Madali lang mag-apply, especially kung employed ka since usually company ang nagpa-process. Pero kung walk-in sa PhilHealth office, expect ka ng konting waiting time. Hindi siya laging accepted as a primary ID, pero okay na rin as supporting document. Plus the ID is free! Make sure you already have a PhilHealth Number before registering. Visit the PhilHealth website for online registration.

Ano ang requirements: Duly filled PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF), one government-issued ID, proof of income, and 2pcs 1 x 1 ID picture. 

Processing time: Months to a year 

May mga Pilipino na nag-apply noong 2022 pa pero hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring hawak. Good news: may improvement na sa delivery, pero hindi pa rin ito kasing bilis ng iba. 

Ano ang requirements: PSA-authenticated birth certificate and 1 government-issued ID such as Philippine Passport or ePassport, UMID; LTO-issued Student’s License Permit or Driver’s License. 

Sa “Great ID Race,” panalo ang mga mabilis lumabas gaya ng Postal ID, NBI Clearance, at Driver’s License. Pero kung long-term validity at versatility ang hanap mo, worth the wait pa rin ang Passport, UMID, at National ID. 

So habang nag-a-apply ka ng mga IDs, isipin mo na lang: bawat pila, bawat hintay, at bawat awkward ID photo ay hakbang papunta sa pagiging certified adult.  

At least next time na mangarap ka ng bagong smartphone or home upgrade, handa ka nang i-avail ang Home Credit installment plans — with your trusty government IDs. Kunin ang Home Credit App para makakita ng loan offers, promos, at iba pa!