In the Philippines, “CRN” usually means the Common Reference Number connected with the Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) system used by agencies such as SSS and GSIS. People commonly need it when creating or recovering a My.SSS account, checking UMID details, applying for benefits, updating records, or answering a government form that asks for “CRN / SS Number.” The fastest way to find it is to check your UMID card, log in to your My.SSS account, use the MySSS mobile app, look at your old SSS registration email or E-1/E-6 records, or request verification from SSS or GSIS if you cannot access your online account.

What Is a CRN in the Philippines?

A CRN, or Common Reference Number, is a unique identifier under the Philippine government’s Unified Multi-Purpose ID system. It was created to help government agencies harmonize ID systems and reduce duplicate or inconsistent identity records.

For ordinary SSS members, the CRN is most often associated with the UMID card. In practice, SSS online forms often use the label “CRN / SS Number” because many members can use either their CRN or their Social Security number for My.SSS registration, password reset, or account access.

The CRN is not exactly the same as your SSS number:

Number	What it is	Where you usually see it
SS Number	Your lifetime Social Security System membership number	SSS E-1 form, SS Number Slip, employer records, My.SSS
CRN	Common Reference Number under the UMID system	UMID card, My.SSS account details, UMID/SS ID details
PSN / PCN	National ID numbers under PhilSys	PhilID, ePhilID, Digital National ID

Do not confuse the CRN with the PhilSys Number (PSN) or PhilSys Card Number (PCN). The PSA states that the PSN is a unique 12-digit permanent number assigned to a citizen or resident alien, while the PCN is the public version used for transactions to protect the PSN from misuse. (Philippine Identification System)

Legal Basis of the CRN and UMID System

The legal foundation of the CRN is Executive Order No. 420, series of 2005, which directed government agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations issuing ID cards to adopt a unified multi-purpose ID system. EO 420 required that a participating agency’s ID number and a common reference number form part of stored ID data. (Supreme Court E-Library)

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of EO 420 explain the CRN more directly. They state that the UMID system includes the CRN, the CRN Registry, and the UMID card; that the CRN is assigned upon successful enrollment; and that the CRN is the individual’s unique identifier during his or her lifetime. The rules also say the CRN is permanent and must not be reused or reassigned to another person. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Importantly, the rules also provide that the absence of a UMID card or CRN should not be used as a ground to deny government service. In real life, however, you may still need to retrieve your CRN or SS number because online systems, banks, employers, benefit applications, and identity verification workflows often ask for it. (Supreme Court E-Library)

The Supreme Court upheld EO 420 in Kilusang Mayo Uno v. Director-General of NEDA, G.R. No. 167798, April 19, 2006. The Court ruled that EO 420 was an administrative measure within the President’s power of control over executive agencies, not a law creating a compulsory national ID system. The Court also emphasized that EO 420 limited the data to be collected and provided privacy safeguards. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Quick Answer: Where to Find Your CRN

Method	Best for	What to check	Typical result
UMID card	Members with an old UMID	Front portion of the card, usually near your photo and name	Immediate
My.SSS website	Members with an active online account	Account header, Member Info, or UMID/SS ID details	Immediate
MySSS mobile app	Members using a phone	Membership details or UMID/SS ID details	Immediate if app works
Old SSS email	Newer registrants who applied online	SS Number Online Application Confirmation, SS Number Slip, Transaction Number Slip, E-1/E-6	Immediate if email is available
SSS branch or E-Center	Locked accounts, forgotten SS number, record mismatch	Present valid IDs and request verification	Often same-day, but depends on queue and record issues
GSIS / GSIS Touch	Government employees or pensioners with GSIS-issued cards	Old GSIS UMID/eCard or GSIS Digital ID records	Depends on GSIS process

Step-by-Step: How to Find Your CRN Through SSS

1. Check Your UMID Card First

If you still have your UMID card, this is the easiest method.

Look at the front of the card. The CRN is usually printed as “CRN”, “CRN No.”, or “CRN Number.” It is normally near your name, photo, signature, or SSS/UMID card information.

Practical tips:

Use good lighting because older UMID cards can fade.
Check both front and back if the design is unfamiliar.
Do not post a photo of the card online just to ask others to locate the number.
If a bank, employer, or government portal asks for “CRN / SS Number,” confirm whether it will accept your SS number instead.

2. Log In to Your My.SSS Account

If you already have a My.SSS account, log in through the official SSS portal. The SSS My.SSS registration guide shows that after successful password setup, the member account page may display both the SS Number and CRN Number in the account header.

A practical path is:

Go to the official SSS website.
Choose Member under the portal/login options.
Log in using your User ID and password.
Check the account header and Member Info sections.
Look for UMID/SS ID Details or similar membership information.

If the system asks for CRN / SS Number, you may usually try your SS number if you do not know your CRN yet. This is common because SSS forms and guides often group them together as CRN / SS Number.

3. Use the MySSS Mobile App

The official MySSS mobile app can show membership details, contributions, and UMID/SS ID details. SSS lists “View your membership details, monthly contributions, UMID/SS ID details” among the functions of the app. (Social Security System)

Try this route:

Open the MySSS app.
Log in using your My.SSS credentials.
Go to the menu or profile section.
Look for Membership Details, Member Info, or UMID/SS ID Details.
Check whether your CRN appears with your SS number.

If the app is not loading, use the web portal instead. Many SSS users find that one platform works even when the other is temporarily unavailable.

4. Check Your Old SSS Registration Email

If you applied for an SS number online, search your email inbox for:

“SS Number Online Application Confirmation”
“SSS Web Registration”
“SS Number Slip”
“Transaction Number Slip”
“E-1”
“E-6”
“SSSWeb.notifications”

SSS explains that online SS number applicants receive an email confirmation with the SS Number Slip, Transaction Number Slip, and E-1/E-6 Form. The system also displays the generated SS number and allows printing or downloading of the Personal Record/UMID application documents. (Social Security System)

This may not always show the CRN itself, especially if you never received a UMID. But it can help you recover your SS number, which is often accepted where the SSS portal asks for CRN / SS Number.

5. Use the My.SSS Password Reset Page if You Know Your CRN or SS Number

If your problem is not the CRN itself but access to your My.SSS account, use the official password reset process.

The SSS password reset guide asks members to encode their CRN / SS Number and complete the verification process. (Social Security System)

This works best when you know at least one of the two numbers:

your CRN from your UMID, or
your SS number from your E-1, employer records, payslip, or SSS email.

If you do not know either number, go to an SSS branch or use official SSS assistance channels. Do not create a new SS number just because you forgot the old one.

6. Request Verification at an SSS Branch or E-Center

If you cannot access your account, lost your UMID, forgot your SS number, changed your name, or have mismatched records, personal verification may be necessary.

Bring:

at least one valid government ID with photo and signature;
your PSA birth certificate if your SS number is still temporary or your identity record needs correction;
marriage certificate, annotated PSA document, court order, or other civil registry document if your name or civil status changed;
old SSS documents, payslips, employer records, or email screenshots if available.

SSS says that a person who loses or cannot remember an SS number should not secure another one because the assigned SS number is a lifetime number; verification may be requested at the nearest SSS office, and multiple SS numbers can delay benefit or loan processing. (Social Security System)

If You Never Had a UMID Card

You may not have a CRN printed on a card if you never applied for UMID, your UMID application was delayed, or you registered only for an SS number.

This is common for:

first-time employees;
prior registrants who have an SS number but no contributions yet;
self-employed members;
OFWs;
members whose UMID application was never released;
members who registered online after SSS shifted more services to digital channels.

SSS now uses the MySSS Card framework. SSS Circular No. 2025-008 states that the MySSS Card is a valid government-issued functional ID card and effectively discontinues the issuance of generic UMID Cards and UMID Pay Cards.

For the MySSS Card, SSS lists eligibility requirements including a permanent SS number in SSS records, a registered My.SSS Member Portal account, updated contact details, and registration with the National ID System.

In practical terms, if you never had a UMID, focus first on finding or confirming your SS number and making sure your My.SSS account and SSS records are updated.

What If You Are a Government Employee or GSIS Member?

For government employees and pensioners, the CRN may appear on a GSIS-issued UMID/eCard if one was previously issued.

However, GSIS shifted to the GSIS Digital ID. GSIS Memorandum Circular No. 054, series of 2024 states that GSIS would discontinue issuance of UMID cards and eCards effective 31 May 2024 as part of the transition to the GSIS Digital ID. (GSIS)

If you are a GSIS member:

check your old GSIS UMID/eCard if you still have it;
check the GSIS Touch app or GSIS Digital ID features;
contact GSIS if your benefits, pension, or loan transaction requires verification;
do not assume SSS can retrieve a GSIS-only record unless you are also an SSS member.

Many Filipinos have both SSS and GSIS records because they worked in the private sector at one point and later entered government service, or vice versa. In that case, keep the numbers separate and use the number requested by the specific agency.

Documents You May Need to Retrieve or Verify Your CRN

Situation	Documents usually helpful
You have your UMID	UMID card itself
You can access My.SSS	My.SSS login credentials, registered email or mobile number
You forgot your My.SSS login	CRN or SS number, registered email, mobile number
You forgot both CRN and SS number	Valid government ID, birth certificate if requested, old employer or SSS records
Your SS number is temporary	PSA birth certificate or other primary documents accepted by SSS
Your name changed due to marriage	PSA marriage certificate and valid ID
Your name/date of birth is wrong	PSA birth certificate, passport, or supporting records
You are abroad and using a representative	Authorization letter or SPA, valid IDs, and any SSS/PFI-specific requirements
You are a foreign national with SSS records	Passport, Alien Certificate of Registration, work or employer records, SSS documents

SSS accepts several primary documents for updating a temporary SS number to permanent status, including UMID, PhilID, Alien Certificate of Registration, driver’s license, NBI clearance, passport, postal ID, and other listed IDs. It also notes that foreign-government-issued ID cards/documents in a foreign language must have an official English translation by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. (Social Security System)

For representatives, SSS notes that a Letter of Authority or Special Power of Attorney may be required and may have different validity periods depending on whether it was issued in the Philippines or abroad. (Social Security System)

Common Problems When Looking for Your CRN

“CRN / SS Number does not exist”

This often happens because:

the number was typed with the wrong format;
you entered the CRN when the system expected the SS number, or vice versa;
your birth date or name does not match SSS records;
your SS number is still temporary;
your online registration is not fully activated;
you accidentally have multiple SS numbers.

Try entering the number without spaces or hyphens if the field rejects the formatted version. If the error continues, verify your record directly with SSS.

You have an SS number but no CRN

This usually means you have an SSS record but no released UMID or no displayed CRN in your accessible records. For many transactions, the SS number may be enough. For card-related or identity verification transactions, you may need to update your SSS records or apply through the current MySSS Card process.

You lost your UMID card

If your only copy of the CRN was on your UMID, try My.SSS or the MySSS app first. If you cannot access either, request verification from SSS or GSIS, depending on which agency issued the card.

Avoid posting “lost UMID” photos, ID selfies, or screenshots in Facebook groups. Your CRN, SS number, birth date, address, and ID image can be misused for identity theft.

Your name changed after marriage, annulment, recognition, adoption, or correction

The number may still be yours, but the record may not match your current ID.

For SSS, update the underlying member record first. Depending on the reason, you may need PSA documents, annotated civil registry records, court orders, or other supporting documents.

You are an OFW or Filipino abroad

You can still use online SSS services if your account and contact details are updated. The issue abroad is usually access to your registered Philippine mobile number, expired email links, representative requirements, or bank/PFI policies for card release.

If you need someone in the Philippines to transact for you, prepare an authorization or SPA that matches the exact transaction. For documents to be used abroad or from abroad, authentication or apostille requirements may arise depending on the country and the receiving institution. The DFA Apostille appointment system allows applications by the document owner or an authorized representative. (DFA Appointment System)

You are a foreigner in the Philippines

A foreigner does not automatically have a Philippine CRN. You may have one only if you are enrolled in a covered Philippine government ID or social insurance system.

For SSS, coverage is compulsory for private-sector employees, self-employed persons, and OFWs who meet the applicable rules. Foreign nationals working in the Philippines may have SSS records depending on their employment situation, applicable agreements, and SSS rules. (Social Security System)

If you are a foreign national trying to verify an SSS record, bring your passport, ACR I-Card if applicable, employer records, and any SSS forms previously issued to you.

Privacy and Safety When Retrieving Your CRN

Your CRN and SS number are identity-linked government records. Treat them like sensitive personal information.

Under Republic Act No. 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, government agencies must secure sensitive personal information using appropriate standards, and personal data must be handled according to lawful and legitimate purposes. (National Privacy Commission)

Practical safety rules:

Do not send your CRN, SS number, OTP, password, or ID selfie to random pages.
Use only official SSS, GSIS, PSA, DFA, or bank/PFI websites and apps.
Check the website address before logging in.
Do not pay “fixers” offering instant CRN or UMID retrieval.
Avoid public Wi-Fi when logging in to My.SSS.
If someone else will transact for you, limit the authorization to the specific purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the CRN located on a UMID card?

It is usually printed on the front of the UMID card and labeled CRN, CRN No., or CRN Number. Check near your name, photo, signature, or SSS/UMID card details.

Can I find my CRN online?

Yes, if your CRN is already connected to your SSS record and visible in your My.SSS account or MySSS app. The SSS guide shows member account pages displaying both SS Number and CRN Number after successful account setup.

Is my CRN the same as my SSS number?

No. Your SS number is your lifetime SSS membership number. Your CRN is the Common Reference Number associated with the UMID system. However, SSS forms often say “CRN / SS Number” because either number may be accepted for certain online processes.

What if I forgot both my CRN and SS number?

Do not apply for a new SS number. SSS says your assigned SS number is a lifetime number and that having more than one SS number can delay benefits or loans. Request verification from the nearest SSS office and bring valid identification. (Social Security System)

Can I use my PhilSys National ID number instead of my CRN?

Not usually. The PhilSys PSN/PCN is different from the SSS/UMID CRN. If an SSS form asks for CRN / SS Number, use your CRN or SS number, not your PSN. Use your National ID only when the agency specifically asks for PhilSys verification or supporting identification.

Do I need a CRN to receive SSS benefits?

Usually, your properly verified SSS membership record and SS number are more important than physically knowing your CRN. But you may need the CRN or SS number to access My.SSS, reset credentials, verify identity, or complete card-related transactions.

Can my employer give me my CRN?

Your employer may have your SS number, especially if it reports your SSS coverage and contributions. Employers usually do not need your UMID CRN unless you provided it. If you are employed, start by asking for the SS number in your HR or payroll record.

What should I do if my CRN record has the wrong name or birth date?

Update your SSS or GSIS member record using the required supporting documents. For SSS, name and birth date corrections commonly require a PSA birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, annotated civil registry documents, or other documents depending on the error.

Is UMID still being issued?

For SSS, the MySSS Card has effectively replaced the issuance of generic UMID Cards and UMID Pay Cards under SSS Circular No. 2025-008. For GSIS, physical UMID/eCard issuance was discontinued effective 31 May 2024 because of the shift to GSIS Digital ID. (GSIS) Existing cards may still be useful for checking old card details.

Can someone else retrieve my CRN for me?

Possibly, but the agency may require a valid authorization letter, SPA, IDs of both the member and representative, and transaction-specific requirements. For overseas documents or representatives, check whether notarization, consular acknowledgment, or apostille is needed for the receiving office.

Key Takeaways

Your Philippine CRN is usually the Common Reference Number linked to the UMID system.
The fastest places to find it are your UMID card, My.SSS account, MySSS app, old SSS registration email, or official SSS/GSIS records.
Your SS number is different from your CRN, but SSS often accepts either where the field says “CRN / SS Number.”
Your PhilSys PSN/PCN is not the same as your CRN.
Never apply for a second SS number just because you forgot the first one.
If online retrieval fails, verify your identity directly with SSS or GSIS using valid IDs and supporting documents.
Treat your CRN, SS number, OTPs, and ID images as sensitive information.