Pursuant to the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8239) and subsequent administrative orders issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), all applicants for a Philippine passport are required to establish their identity and Philippine citizenship through the presentation of competent proof.
As of 2026, the DFA has streamlined the list of acceptable valid IDs to ensure the integrity of the passport-issuing process while aligning with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act (RA 11055).
I. Primary Identification Documents
The following documents are considered "Primary IDs." An applicant is generally required to present one (1) original of any of the following, along with one (1) clear photocopy:
| Acceptable ID Type | Issuing Agency / Specific Conditions |
|---|---|
| PhilID (National ID) | Issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Physical card or ePhilID. |
| Digital National ID | Must be generated via the official website or the eGovPH mobile application during processing. |
| Social Security System (SSS) Card | Must be the digitized version with a photograph. |
| GSIS Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) | Issued by the Government Service Insurance System. |
| LTO Driver’s License | Includes Student Permits if in the modern card format. |
| Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID | Must be within the validity period. |
| Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate | Certificates must be issued by the COMELEC Main Office in Intramuros, Manila. |
| Philippine Postal ID | Modern digitized version (reaffirmed for acceptance as of late 2024). |
| Senior Citizen ID | Issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). |
| OWWA / iDOLE Card | Overseas Workers Welfare Administration e-Card. |
| PNP Firearms License | Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) or License to Own/Possess (LTOPF). |
| Airman License | Issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (August 2016 onwards). |
| Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) | Must be issued by MARINA (February 2020 onwards). |
| Valid Foreign Passport | For dual citizens or those applying abroad (host government ID). |
II. Identification Requirements for Minors
For applicants under the age of 18, the requirements differ to account for the lack of government-issued professional IDs:
- School ID: Must be current and clearly state the student’s name and the school’s contact details.
- Certificate of Enrolment: Required if the school ID is not yet issued; must contain the minor’s photograph and the school’s dry seal.
- Parental Identification: The accompanying parent (or authorized adult companion) must present one of the Primary IDs listed above.
- PSA Birth Certificate: In all cases of minor applications, the PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth is a mandatory foundational document.
III. Special Cases and Supplementary Documentation
1. Married Women
Married women who opt to use their husband’s surname for the first time must present a PSA-issued Marriage Certificate. If applying for a renewal to revert to a maiden name due to death or legal separation, a Death Certificate or Court Order with a Certificate of Finality is required.
2. Discrepancies in Data
If the name, date of birth, or place of birth on the presented ID does not match the PSA Birth Certificate, the DFA may require a Supplemental Report or Affidavit of Discrepancy.
3. Technical Integrity of Documents
The DFA adheres to strict standards regarding the physical condition of IDs. Documents may be rejected if they are:
- Mutilated, cracked, or excessively faded.
- Lacking a clear, recognizable photograph.
- Laminated in a way that obscures security features (unless the ID is natively issued as a laminated card).
IV. Provisos and Compliance
The Department of Foreign Affairs reserves the legal right to require additional supporting documents if the identity or citizenship of the applicant remains in question. All applicants are reminded that the presentation of fraudulent identification is punishable under RA 8239, carrying penalties of both fines and imprisonment.