Requirements for Voter’s ID Application in the Philippines
(A comprehensive legal guide as of July 30 2025)
1. Legal Foundations
| Law / Issuance | Key Provisions Relevant to the Voter’s ID |
|---|---|
| 1987 Constitution, Art. V | Empowers Congress to create a “system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot” and assigns the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to administer election laws. |
| Republic Act No. 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996) | Establishes the national, permanent list of voters and authorizes COMELEC to issue a Voter’s Identification Card. |
| Republic Act No. 10367 (Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act, 2013) | Makes biometrics capture a prerequisite for registration and for issuance of any voter ID or certification. |
| COMELEC Resolutions (e.g., 9853 [2013], 10392 [2015], 10549 [2019], 10905 [2023]) | Detail continuing registration schedules; documentary requirements; and the current practice of issuing Voter’s Certification in lieu of the plastic Voter’s ID. |
| Republic Act No. 11055 (Philippine Identification System Act, 2018) | Declares PhilSys the “primary platform for identification,” prompting COMELEC to phase out the Voter’s ID card and focus on the voter database and certifications. |
Practical upshot (2025): COMELEC no longer prints the old PVC‐type Voter’s ID. Instead, it releases a Voter’s Certification (with QR code and dry seal) that serves the same legal purpose for identification and government transactions. The requirements for securing that certification are identical to those originally used for the Voter’s ID.
2. Eligibility to Register (and Thus Qualify for a Voter’s ID / Certification)
| Criterion | Statutory Basis | Notes / Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Const., Art. V §1 RA 8189 §9(a) |
Must be a Filipino citizen by birth or naturalization. Dual citizens must present their Philippine passport or Certificate of Reacquisition (RA 9225). |
| Age | Const., Art. V §1 | At least 18 years old on or before the next election day. COMELEC allows filing once the applicant is 17 years & 9 months, but the ID is released only upon turning 18. |
| Residency | RA 8189 §9(b)&(c) | 1 year in the Philippines and 6 months in the city/municipality where registering, counted back from election day. Students or workers living in boarding houses may choose domicile based on intent. |
| Not Disqualified | Const., Art. V §2 | Persons sentenced by final judgment for crimes involving ≥ one year imprisonment (unless pardoned), adjudged insane/ incompetent, or lost/renounced citizenship are disqualified until their disabilities are removed. |
3. Documentary Requirements
| Document | Purpose | Issuing Authority / Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Any ONE primary ID (PhilSys ID, Philippine passport, UMID, driver’s license, SSS, PRC, Postal ID, etc.) | Proof of identity and age | Must show full name, photo, and signature/thumbmark. If the ID lacks birthdate, bring a birth certificate. |
| OR TWO secondary IDs (student ID, company ID, senior/PWD card, barangay clearance, NBI clearance, etc.) | Same | Present originals; COMELEC accepts photocopies but still requires originals for verification. |
| Birth Certificate (PSA or LCR) | Confirms age/citizenship when IDs are insufficient | Required for first-time registrants who only have secondary IDs or whose IDs show inconsistent data. |
| Proof of Residency (utility bill, lease contract, barangay certification) | Needed only when address in ID is absent or differs from actual domicile | Married women whose IDs still bear maiden address commonly provide these. |
| For Indigenous Peoples (IPs): Certificate of Tribal Affiliation from NCIP or tribal chieftain | Recognizes customary residence | COMELEC has mobile registration in ancestral domains. |
| For Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): PWD ID or medical certificate | Enables accommodation (priority lane, assistance) | Also allows optional annotation of disability on the voter record. |
| For Overseas Filipinos (under RA 9189, RA 10590) | Valid Philippine passport, accomplished OV registration form, and biometrics capture at consulate | IDs are mailed or certifications issued upon return; OV registration is separate from local roll. |
No fees are charged for first-time applications, ID issuance, or certification printing. Fees apply only for lost‑ID replacement (₱100) or expedite requests at the main COMELEC office.
4. Step‑by‑Step Application Procedure
Visit the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the city/municipality (or satellite/special registration sites in malls, barangay gyms, schools, consulates).
Accomplish the CEF‑1 registration form on-site or through the iRehistro online facility (print the QR‑encoded form).
Submit documentary requirements for verification.
Biometrics capture: digital photograph, fingerprints (all ten), and signature. Under RA 10367, omission of any field rejects the application.
Receipt of Acknowledgment Stub indicating the date when the Voter’s Certification can be claimed (usually 1–3 weeks after approval by the Election Registration Board, ERB).
Claiming the Certification / (historical) Voter’s ID:
- Present the stub and one valid ID.
- If claiming for another person, provide an authorization letter with photocopies of IDs of both parties.
- For lost stub, execute an affidavit of loss.
5. Special & Ancillary Transactions
| Transaction | Core Requirements | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reactivation (for voters removed for failure to vote in 2 consecutive regular elections) | Same IDs + CEF‑1R | Same biometrics capture; no fee. |
| Transfer of Registration | Proof of new residency + CEF‑1A | New precinct assigned, old record canceled. |
| Correction of Entries (name change due to marriage, birthdate error) | Documentary proof (marriage certificate, PSA annotation, etc.) | No fee. |
| Lost / Damaged ID Replacement | Affidavit of Loss/Damage + ₱100 fee | Certification released within days; ID printing remains suspended. |
| Voter’s Certification for Passport DFA requirement | Personal appearance, ₱75 fee (waived for senior & PWD), 3 working days normal processing or same‑day at NCR main office. |
6. Current Status of the Plastic Voter’s ID (2025 Update)
- Printing Suspension: Since December 2017, COMELEC stopped printing PVC IDs to await integration with PhilSys. Over 6 million backlogs were formally canceled per Resolution 10905 (2023).
- Alternative ID: The Voter’s Certification carries a QR code verifiable through the COMELEC Verification App and is honored by DFA, GSIS, SSS, LTO, banks, and courts.
- Future Direction: COMELEC is piloting an electronic Voter e‑Card tied to PhilSys number (PSN), targeted for rolling out by the 2028 national elections.
7. Legal Consequences & Data Protection
| Violation | Penalty (RA 8189 §§26‑27; Omnibus Election Code) |
|---|---|
| Multiple / False Registration | 1–6 years imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from public office & right to vote, no probation. |
| Fraudulent Use of ID / Certification | Same as above; revocation of record. |
| Unlawful disclosure of personal data by officials | 1–6 years plus administrative sanctions under the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173). |
The COMELEC Data Protection Office issues Privacy Notices at registration sites and secures biometrics on AES‑compliant, encrypted servers.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Voter’s ID still valid if already issued? Yes. All PVC cards printed before 2017 remain valid indefinitely.
Can the Voter’s Certification be laminated? COMELEC discourages lamination because the dry‑seal may blur under heat; use a plastic sleeve instead.
May I use PhilSys ID to register without other IDs? Yes. PhilSys ID (with PSN) is accepted as a primary ID.
I have no ID at all—what now? Bring your PSA birth certificate and a barangay certification of identity/residency signed by the Punong Barangay plus two resident witnesses.
Are satellite registrations open year‑round? By law, registration is suspended 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election. Outside those periods, OEOs hold weekly mall and barangay caravans.
9. Practical Tips for Applicants
- Schedule: Lines are shortest mid‑week mornings. Avoid the last two weeks before the registration cut‑off.
- Dress Code: Plain‑colored shirt helps facial recognition; avoid heavy makeup or tinted glasses during biometrics.
- Check Status Online: Use COMELEC’s Precinct Finder or call the local OEO before claiming your certification.
- Keep the Stub & Photocopies: Replacements without the stub require an affidavit.
10. Conclusion
Although the physical Voter’s ID card is on hiatus, the legal architecture and procedural requirements for obtaining proof of voter registration remain firmly in place. Whether it is the erstwhile PVC card, today’s QR‑coded Voter’s Certification, or the forthcoming e‑Card synchronized with PhilSys, the core prerequisites—citizenship, age, residency, personal appearance, and biometrics—spring from the Constitution, RA 8189, and COMELEC’s implementing resolutions. Mastery of these rules ensures seamless exercise of one of the most fundamental political rights: the right of suffrage.