How to Get a Philippine Postal ID

The bank would not let Ate S and M open a savings account without 2 valid IDs. Aside from the Condominium IDs issued to the employees of the residents, they don't have any other identification card so the teller suggested that they get Postal IDs.





HOW TO APPLY FOR A POSTAL ID

1. Go to the nearest PhilPost Office. It is best if you go to the post office in your zip code.
2. Ask for a copy of the Postal ID Application Form or Form No. 391. They will probably give you a photocopy. The form is free here in Quezon City but I heard that some cities charge a minimal fee.
   
3. Fill in the upper half portion of the application form with your personal data.
4. Have your picture taken. You need to attach 3 identical 2x2 ID pictures with white background to your application form.
   
5. After filling up the form and attaching 1 picture, we had the form photocopied so that Ate S and M would have 4 copies each. (1 for the post office, 1 for the barangay, 1 for the notary public and 1 personal copy) This is not required but we did it in case the Barangay Captain and the notary public ask for a copy.
   
6. Bring the application form to your Barangay Hall.
7. Request for a Certification from the Barangay Captain that you are a resident of the Barangay. The Barangay Captain will fill up the bottom portion of your application form and give you a photocopy of his/her valid ID. He may or may not ask to retain 1 copy of the application form. Our barangay charges P50 for this.
   
8. While you are in the Barangay Hall, get a Community Tax Certificate. You need this to complete your application form. Ate S and M paid P50 each.
   
9. Have the application form duly notarized. There is usually a notary public near barangay halls. The notary public will ask for a copy of the notarized document. Notarization costs around P150 per document.
   
10. Go get a NSO certified copy of your birth or marriage certificate. (Click here for tips on how to get one.)
    
11. Submit the following to the post office: 1) Duly accomplished application form [notarized with attached photocopy of the Barangay Captain's valid ID]; 2) 3 pcs. 2x2 ID picture with white background; 3) NSO certified copy of birth or marriage certificate; and 4) P315 postal ID fee. The postal ID fees vary from city to city.
    
12. Expect to come back for the ID after a few days. In the case of Ate S and M, they were able to get the ID after 3 days.

Estimated Total Cost: P815
1. ID Picture - P60
2. Barangay Certification - P50
3. Community Tax Certificate - P50
4. Birth Certificate - P140
4. Notarization - P150
5. Postal ID Fee - P315
6. Others (Transportation, Food, Photocopying) - P50

It is EXPENSIVE. Good thing it is valid for 5 years.

Ate S and M now both have BPI savings accounts. Their next goal is to get voter IDs.

NOTE:

• For applicants without a birth certificate, they have to submit a certification of no record from the Local Civil Registrar or a negative certification from NSO plus any of 2 of the following requirements: baptismal certificate, permanent Elementary School Record 137-E, marriage contract of parents issued by LCR (if single) or marriage contract of applicant (if married) or certificate of Live Birth duly signed and properly filled up.
• Instead of a certification from the Barangay Captain, the applicant may submit: a valid NBI clearance; if student, certification from the Principal or School Registrar, together with photocopy of the valid identification card of the Principal or School Registrar; or if employed, certification from the employer with the employer's valid identification card.
• Data from www.pia.gov.ph