Valid IDs for Securing a Voter’s Certification in the Philippines
(A practical-legal guide as of July 7 2025)
1. Why COMELEC Demands an ID
A Voter’s Certification is an official print-out of a citizen’s registration record in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) data base. Under Republic Act No. 8189, “The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996,” COMELEC must establish the true identity of an applicant before releasing any voter record. Presenting at least one valid, original, government-recognized ID bearing both photograph and signature is the default proof of identity. The rule is echoed in successive COMELEC Resolutions on Registration and Certification (e.g., Res. Nos. 10194 [2017] & 10905 [2023]) and in the Data Privacy Act safeguards on personal data.
2. The Master List of Acceptable IDs
COMELEC’s provincial, city/municipal, and the Main Office (Port Area, Manila) accept any one of the IDs below provided it is genuine, not defaced, and—unless the issuing agency says otherwise—not expired:
| # | ID | Statutory / Regulatory Basis & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PhilSys National ID (PhilID) | R.A. 11055; considered the “gold standard.” Digital e-PhilID print-out is also honored if still within the QR-code validity period. |
| 2 | Philippine Passport | Issued by DFA; must be signed; “green” and “brown” machine-readable passports still accepted until their stated expiry. |
| 3 | Driver’s License | LTO plastic card or the official electronic Driver’s License (eDL) QR presented on LTO portal. |
| 4 | Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID | Physical or digital PRC ID; validity date printed on the card. |
| 5 | Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) – SSS / GSIS / Pag-IBIG | All UMID variants, including the GSIS e-Card, are treated as one class. |
| 6 | Postal ID (Improved Postal ID, 2016 series onward) | Both plastic and digital versions accepted. |
| 7 | Senior Citizen ID | Issued under R.A. 9994; the ID is accepted nationwide regardless of the city/municipality that issued it. |
| 8 | Persons with Disability (PWD) ID | R.A. 10754; signature requirement waived if the holder is unable to sign. |
| 9 | PhilHealth ID Card (PVC or Digital) | The older yellow cardstock without photo is not valid. |
| 10 | Government Office/GOCC ID or Employee Card | Must be issued by a national or local government entity; includes AFP, PNP, and BFP service IDs. |
| 11 | Company ID (Private-Sector Employee) | Must contain photo & signature and be currently valid; payroll slips, access badges without photo/signature are not acceptable. |
| 12 | Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID | For lawyers in good standing. |
| 13 | Firearms License Card | Issued by PNP-FEO; includes Permit-to-Carry Outside Residence (PTCFOR) if card-type. |
| 14 | Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) / OFW e-Card | Plastic or digital. |
| 15 | National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance | Accepted within 1 year from date of issue; must bear both photo and fingerprint. |
| 16 | Police Clearance (National Police Clearance System) | Digital QR must be scannable; accepted within 6 months of issue. |
| 17 | Barangay ID or Barangay Certification with Photo | Must be signed by the Barangay Captain and include the official dry seal. |
| 18 | Student ID / School Library Card | For enrolled students 18 y/o & above; must show photo and registrar’s signature. |
| 19 | Indigenous Peoples (IP) Certification/ID | Issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). |
| 20 | Other Government-issued IDs with photo & signature | Catch-all clause of R.A. 8189 allows acceptance if authenticity is verifiable (e.g., DFA Red Ribbon-authenticated foreign resident ID, Seafarer’s Identification Record Book, etc.). |
Not Accepted: TIN card, Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card (non-UMID), PhilHealth MDR print-out, voter’s stub, birth certificate, certificate of baptism, or any photocopy without the original ID.
3. What if the Applicant Has No Valid ID?
R.A. 8189 Section 9 provides a fallback:
- Community Identification: The applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the same precinct or by a relative within the 4th civil degree, attesting personally before the Election Officer (EO).
- Secondary Documents (rarely used): Two (2) documents that, when read together, clearly link the applicant’s photo, signature, and address—e.g., an expired passport plus a certified PSA birth certificate—may persuade the EO, but discretion lies entirely with COMELEC.
Fraudulent attestation or use of a forged ID is punishable under Sec. 10 & 27, R.A. 8189 (imprisonment 1-6 years and perpetual disqualification from public office and suffrage).
4. Special Scenarios
| Scenario | ID Rule |
|---|---|
| First-Time Jobseekers | Under R.A. 11261 the ₱75 certification fee is waived once within a 1-year window. ID requirement stays the same. |
| Applicants with Handwriting Disabilities | EO may accept an ID lacking a signature but must obtain the right/thumb fingerprint in lieu of signature. |
| 17-year-olds turning 18 by Election Day | May apply for certification after their biometrics have been activated (typically 1 week post-registration); same ID rules apply. |
| Overseas Filipino Voters (OFVs) on Vacation | They must request certification from the Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) – COMELEC Main Office; DFA-issued passport or MARINA Seafarer book are the de facto IDs. |
5. Best Practices When Appearing at COMELEC
- Bring the original ID and one clear photocopy; the photocopy is stapled to the request form.
- Check ID validity—many offices refuse licenses or clearances issued more than 1 year ago.
- Use consistent signatures across ID, logbook, and official receipt.
- Double-check spellings of your full name and address when the Certification is printed; minor typos can cause DFA or LTO to reject the document.
- Pay only at the cashier; as of July 2025 the official fee is ₱75.00 (cash only).
6. Legal Consequences of Fake or Borrowed IDs
- Election Offense: Using someone else’s ID or a counterfeit document to obtain a voter record is an election offense (§261, Omnibus Election Code).
- Falsification under the Revised Penal Code may apply if an applicant alters a government ID.
- COMELEC is now required to digitally archive CCTV and biometric logs of all certification requests for at least 5 years—making post-facto investigations easier.
7. Quick Reference Flow-Chart
Have valid photo-signature ID?
Yes: Proceed → Pay fee → Receive certification in 15-30 minutes.
No:
- Bring a registered voter witness OR
- Return with an acceptable ID.
Key Takeaways
- The core rule has not changed since R.A. 8189: one genuine, photo-and-signature ID unlocks your Voter’s Certification.
- PhilSys ID is now the most friction-free credential; if you possess it, use it.
- If you lack an ID, a registered-voter guarantor within your precinct can swear you in, but both of you assume criminal liability for any misrepresentation.
- Keep the certification recent (≤6 months) if you intend to present it to DFA, LTO, or a bank; those agencies impose their own freshness rules.
This article aims to provide an all-in-one, practice-oriented summary based on Philippine statutes and standing COMELEC regulations as of July 7 2025. It does not constitute formal legal advice; when in doubt, consult your local Election Officer or a Philippine lawyer.