If you have lost your UMID card or forgotten the number printed on it, the first step is to identify which number you actually need. People often use “UMID number,” “CRN,” and “SSS number” interchangeably, but they are not the same. In most cases, the UMID number means the 12-digit Common Reference Number (CRN). You can usually recover it through your My.SSS account, the MySSS mobile app, old SSS documents, or an identity-verified request at an SSS branch.

What Is the UMID Number?

The Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card was designed to connect a person’s records across participating government institutions. Its legal foundation includes:

Executive Order No. 420 (2005), which directed government agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations to harmonize their identification systems;
Executive Order No. 700 (2008), which identified the Social Security System identification system as the core of the unified government ID system; and
Executive Order No. 867 (2010), which encouraged government agencies to adopt the UMID system as their primary identification framework.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of Executive Order No. 420 in Kilusang Mayo Uno v. Director-General of NEDA, G.R. No. 167798, April 19, 2006. The Court explained that the order coordinated existing government identification systems rather than creating a compulsory national ID for every citizen. (Lawphil)

CRN, SSS number, GSIS number, and National ID number compared

Number	Typical format	What it is used for
UMID Common Reference Number or CRN	12 digits, commonly shown as `0000-0000000-0`	Links records under the UMID system
SSS number	10 digits, commonly shown as `00-0000000-0`	Your permanent Social Security System membership number
GSIS ID number	11 digits	Identifies a GSIS member or pensioner
GSIS Business Partner or BP number	Separate GSIS reference number	Used for GSIS online services and transactions
National ID Card Number	16 digits	Number associated with the Philippine Identification System
UMID ATM or bank account number	Varies by bank	Banking account connected to an ATM-enabled UMID card

An official SSS registration guide shows the SS number and CRN as separate numbers on the My.SSS account dashboard. The guide’s sample CRN uses the 12-digit format 0111-1234567-8. (Social Security System)

The National ID number is also different. The Philippine Statistics Authority describes the National ID Card Number as a randomly generated 16-digit number, while the Digital National ID has an additional six-character Digital ID Number. (Philippine Identification System)

Is the UMID Still Being Issued?

The answer depends on whether your membership is with SSS or GSIS.

For SSS members

SSS has introduced the MySSS Card, an EMV-enabled identification and debit card that replaces the old UMID card for new applications and replacements. Previously issued UMID and SSS cards remain valid, but a person who needs to replace a lost or damaged card may now be directed to apply for a MySSS Card instead of receiving another traditional UMID card. (Social Security System)

The change in card type does not give you a new SS number. Your SS number is a lifetime number, and a member should not obtain more than one. (Social Security System)

For GSIS members and pensioners

GSIS discontinued the issuance of new physical UMID and eCards effective May 31, 2024, as part of its transition to the GSIS Digital ID integrated into the GSIS Touch mobile application. Existing UMID and eCard users can continue using their accounts and receiving benefits. (GSIS)

How to Find Your UMID Number on the Card

Look at the front of your UMID card for a field marked:

CRN
Common Reference Number
SS Number, particularly on certain older cards

The CRN is normally a 12-digit number. Do not confuse it with:

The six-digit UMID PIN;
The ATM card number;
The linked bank account number;
Your 10-digit SSS number; or
The serial or reference number found on an application receipt.

If the print has faded, examine the card under good lighting or check a clear photocopy or photograph made before the card was lost. Avoid uploading the card to public groups or sending an unredacted image to strangers.

How to Recover Your UMID Number Online

1. Check your My.SSS account

For most SSS members, this is the fastest method.

Go to the official My.SSS Member Portal.
Sign in using your user ID and password.
Complete the one-time PIN or other multi-factor authentication requirement.
Look at the account header, dashboard, Member Info, or profile section.
Check for separate entries marked SS Number and CRN Number.

SSS’s account-registration and password-reset guides show both numbers in the upper portion of the member dashboard after successful login. The exact menu position may change when the portal is updated, but the numbers remain part of the member’s account information. (Social Security System)

2. Check the MySSS mobile app

The official MySSS app allows members to view membership information and UMID/SS ID details.

Download or open the official MySSS mobile app.
Sign in to your member account.
Complete biometric or one-time PIN authentication.
Open the membership, profile, or UMID/SS ID details section.
Record the CRN only in a secure place.

SSS confirms that the app provides access to membership details and UMID or SS ID information. (Social Security System)

3. Search your old SSS records

Your CRN or SS number may appear in:

A saved screenshot of your My.SSS dashboard;
An old UMID application or acknowledgment slip;
SSS benefit or loan forms;
A previous password-reset record;
Printed SSS membership records;
Old card photocopies submitted to a bank, employer, embassy, school, or government office;
Personal files containing an E-1, E-4, or other SSS form.

Be careful when checking files previously sent by email. Download the document to a secure device and delete unnecessary copies from shared computers or public cloud folders.

4. Ask your employer for your SSS number

An employer’s payroll or human resources records usually contain an employee’s SSS number, because it is needed for contribution reporting. The employer may not have the CRN.

Knowing the SS number can still help because My.SSS registration and account-recovery facilities commonly accept either the CRN or SS number. Do not ask an employer to create or register another SS number for you.

5. Reset your My.SSS password if you still know your SS number

SSS’s online password-reset process allows a member to use either the CRN or SS number, together with the registered email address, security questions, one-time PIN, or other authentication method required by the current portal. (Social Security System)

This option will not solve the problem if you have forgotten both your CRN and SS number. In that situation, an identity-verified branch request is generally the most reliable route.

How to Recover Your UMID or SSS Number at an SSS Branch

Visit an SSS branch when:

You cannot access My.SSS;
You no longer have the registered mobile number or email address;
You have forgotten both the CRN and SS number;
Your name or birth date does not match the SSS record;
The portal says that your information cannot be found;
You may have been assigned more than one SS number; or
You need an official printout or verification.

Step-by-step branch procedure

Locate the nearest SSS branch through the official SSS website.
Bring your original identification documents.
Obtain or print the SSS Request/Verification Form, Form COV-01205.
Complete your name, birth date, address, contact details, and any information you still remember.
Under Verification, mark SS Number if you also need your forgotten SS number.
For the CRN, write “Verification or recovery of Common Reference Number/UMID number” under Others.
Sign the certification section.
Submit the form and IDs to the branch personnel.
Keep the acknowledgment stub or transaction reference given to you.

The official form allows requests for SS number verification, membership records, computer records, manual verification, and other record-related concerns.

Identification documents to bring

The Request/Verification Form lists the following as acceptable identity documents for a member:

SSS card or UMID card;
Passport;
Professional Regulation Commission card;
Seaman’s Book;
Driver’s license; or
Two valid IDs, both bearing the member’s signature and at least one bearing a photograph.

Because the purpose may be to recover a lost UMID number, bring the strongest available original ID, preferably a passport, driver’s license, PRC card, or National ID. Bringing a PSA birth certificate can also help when there is a spelling, birth-date, middle-name, or civil-status discrepancy.

Situation	Useful documents or information
Ordinary personal request	Request/Verification Form and original valid ID
No primary ID available	Two signed IDs, with at least one bearing a photograph
Name or birth-date mismatch	Valid ID plus PSA birth certificate and, when applicable, PSA marriage certificate
Forgotten SS number and CRN	Full birth name, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, previous employers, and old SSS records
Possible duplicate SS numbers	All known SS numbers, contribution records, employment history, and IDs
Representative filing	Completed authorization section, member’s IDs, and representative’s IDs
Lost ATM-enabled UMID	Valid ID, bank details, and any affidavit or bank form required for blocking or replacement

A straightforward online lookup is immediate. A branch request may be completed during the visit when the record is readily matched, but manual verification, duplicate records, identity discrepancies, or archived files can require additional processing. Obtain a receiving copy rather than relying only on a verbal assurance.

What If Your Registered Mobile Number or Email Is No Longer Active?

My.SSS increasingly uses one-time PINs and multi-factor authentication. If the OTP is being sent to an old number, first check whether the portal permits an authenticated online update.

Members who cannot update their contact information online may submit a Member Data Change Request at an SSS branch. SSS has also established branch e-centers where personnel can assist members having difficulty with the My.SSS portal. (Social Security System)

Bring proof of your current mobile number or email when available, together with your valid IDs.

Can an Authorized Representative Recover the Number?

The SSS Request/Verification Form contains an authorization section for a representative. The form requires identification documents for both the member and the representative.

In practice, prepare:

The completed and signed Request/Verification Form;
A clear copy of the member’s valid ID;
The representative’s original valid ID;
A signed authorization identifying the specific information requested; and
Additional authority, such as a special power of attorney, if required because the representative will also change records, receive a card, or perform a broader transaction.

SSS may withhold the complete number until it is satisfied that the member or representative has been properly identified.

How OFWs and Members Abroad Can Recover the Number

An OFW or former Philippine worker abroad should try the following in order:

Access the My.SSS portal or MySSS mobile app.
Search old SSS emails, forms, employer records, and card copies.
Contact SSS through the official hotline 1455 or usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph.
Check the SSS website for the nearest foreign representative office.
Use an authorized representative in the Philippines when personal attendance is not practical.

SSS may ask identity-verification questions or direct the member to a formal records process. Do not expect the agency to send a complete CRN through an unsecured email merely because the requester knows the member’s name and birth date. Official SSS contact information is published on its website. (Social Security System)

What to Do If the UMID Card Was Lost or Stolen

Recovering the number and replacing the card are separate matters.

If it was an ordinary identification card

Recover your CRN through My.SSS or SSS verification.
Check whether any unauthorized transaction occurred.
Apply for a MySSS Card if you need a replacement and meet the eligibility requirements.
Keep any affidavit of loss or incident report in case a bank or agency requests it.

If it was an ATM-enabled UMID or UMID Pay Card

Contact the issuing bank immediately to:

Block the card;
Disable ATM or debit transactions;
Review the account for unauthorized withdrawals;
Request replacement instructions; and
Change compromised banking credentials.

Older SSS replacement rules required a notarized affidavit of loss for a lost UMID card. Under the current MySSS Card arrangement, the partner bank may impose its own replacement fee and documentation requirements. (Social Security System)

The SSS Citizen’s Charter states that a partner bank or financial institution may charge applicable fees and should release a MySSS Card within a maximum of 20 working days after successful processing, subject to the bank’s release procedures. (Social Security System)

Why SSS Will Verify Your Identity Before Disclosing the Number

A CRN, SSS number, and government-issued identification record are not ordinary public information. Under Republic Act No. 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, information issued by government agencies that is peculiar to an individual—including social security and identification numbers—is treated as sensitive personal information.

Government agencies must apply security safeguards and prevent unauthorized disclosure. This is why SSS may require original IDs, account authentication, security questions, an OTP, or personal appearance before releasing the complete number. (National Privacy Commission)

Protect your number by:

Redacting it before posting or sending an ID copy;
Never sharing OTPs or passwords;
Avoiding “online fixers” offering name-based CRN searches;
Adding a watermark stating the intended recipient and purpose to necessary ID copies; and
Keeping the complete number out of public social-media posts.

There is no legitimate public database where a stranger can enter your name and lawfully retrieve your complete CRN.

Common Problems That Delay Recovery

Your name does not match across records

A difference involving a married surname, middle name, suffix, spelling, or date of birth can prevent an automatic match. Bring the relevant PSA certificate and request correction from the agency holding the incorrect record.

For the current MySSS Card, SSS requires an exact match between the member’s SSS and National ID records. Discrepancies must be corrected before the card application can proceed. (Social Security System)

You accidentally obtained two SS numbers

Do not select whichever number appears more convenient. Report the duplicate to SSS so the records and contributions can be investigated and consolidated. The SS number is intended to be permanent and unique to the member. (Social Security System)

You are using the wrong number

A portal may reject your entry because you supplied:

A 12-digit CRN where a 10-digit SS number was required;
A GSIS BP number;
A National ID number;
A UMID ATM card number;
A bank account number; or
An application transaction number.

Read the field label carefully and enter the number without extra spaces. Add or remove hyphens only as instructed by the portal.

You paid someone to retrieve it

Basic recovery or verification of your own number should be done through official SSS channels. The SSS Request/Verification Form is expressly marked as reproducible and not for sale. Do not pay a fixer to access confidential records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UMID number the same as my SSS number?

No. The UMID number normally refers to the 12-digit CRN, while the SSS number is a separate 10-digit lifetime membership number.

Where can I see my UMID number online?

Sign in to My.SSS and check the dashboard, account header, Member Info, or profile section. You can also check the UMID or SS ID details in the MySSS mobile app.

Can I recover my UMID number using only my name?

Not through a public lookup. SSS must verify your identity before disclosing a complete CRN or SS number.

What if I forgot both my CRN and SSS number?

Visit an SSS branch with a completed Request/Verification Form and original valid ID. Provide your full birth details, mother’s maiden name, former employers, and any old SSS documents that can help locate the correct record.

Can my employer give me my UMID number?

Your employer will usually have your SSS number for contribution reporting but may not have your CRN. The SSS number can help you regain access to My.SSS.

Can I apply for another SSS number instead?

No. An SSS number is intended to be used for life. Applying for another one may create duplicate records and delay contribution posting, loans, or benefit claims.

Can a relative recover the number for me?

A properly authorized representative may submit the SSS Request/Verification Form with the required IDs. SSS may require additional written authority depending on the transaction.

Is my old UMID card still valid?

SSS states that previously issued SSS and UMID cards remain valid. However, new and replacement SSS cards are now handled through the MySSS Card program. GSIS has shifted from issuing physical UMID cards to the GSIS Digital ID. (Social Security System)

Is the UMID CRN the same as the National ID number?

No. The CRN belongs to the UMID system. The National ID Card Number belongs to PhilSys, which was established under Republic Act No. 11055 (2018) as a foundational identification system for Filipino citizens and resident aliens. (Lawphil)

Do I need to replace my card just to learn the number?

No. You can recover the CRN through My.SSS, the MySSS app, old records, or an SSS verification request without first replacing the physical card.

Key Takeaways

The “UMID number” usually means the 12-digit Common Reference Number or CRN.
Your CRN is different from your 10-digit SSS number, GSIS identifiers, National ID number, and bank account number.
Check the My.SSS dashboard or MySSS mobile app before visiting a branch.
When both the CRN and SS number are forgotten, submit an SSS Request/Verification Form with valid identification.
Do not obtain a new SS number merely because the old one was forgotten.
An authorized representative may file a request, but SSS can require additional identity verification.
Lost ATM-enabled UMID cards should be blocked immediately through the issuing bank.
Old SSS UMID cards remain valid, but replacements are now generally handled through the MySSS Card program.
Treat the CRN as sensitive personal information and never post an unredacted copy of your UMID card online.