Valid IDs for Requesting a Voter’s Certification in the Philippines
1. What the “Voter’s Certification” Is
Nature. A Voter’s Certification is a one-page, security-tinted document issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) stating that a person is a duly registered voter of a particular city/municipality, including precinct number and biometrics status.
Why it matters. It substitutes for the long-suspended PVC voter’s ID card, and is commonly required by:
- DFA for passport applications/renewals.
- GSIS/SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth and banks to show residency or citizenship.
- Courts or notaries for elections-related affidavits.
2. Legal Foundations
| Instrument | Key provisions relevant to ID requirement |
|---|---|
| § 5(b), R.A. 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act 1996) | An applicant “shall be identified by any current identification document bearing the applicant’s photograph and signature” or by a registered voter from the same barangay. |
| COMELEC Res. No. 9853 (2013) | Enumerates acceptable IDs for voter registration and for issuance of certifications; empowers Election Officers (EOs) to accept “any valid government ID.” |
| COMELEC Res. Nos. 10031 (2015), 10549 (2019), 10946 (2023) | Re-adopts the same list; authorises acceptance of the PhilSys National ID (ePhilID or card) and digital Postal ID QR. |
| R.A. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act 2019) | Waives the ₱75 certification fee once for first-time jobseekers upon presentation of a barangay First-Time Jobseeker Certificate. |
3. Current COMELEC-Recognised “Valid IDs”
(Latest consolidated list as applied in field offices nationwide)
- PhilSys National ID (physical card or ePhilID print-out with QR).
- Philippine Passport (including e-passport).
- Driver’s License (LTO student permit with photo and signature also accepted).
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID.
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card/UMID or SSS UMID.
- Postal ID (improved laminised or PVC card; digital version with QR code).
- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID.
- Persons With Disability (PWD) ID.
- Senior Citizen ID.
- Barangay ID with clear photo, signature and barangay captain’s signature & seal.
- Indigenous Peoples (IP) ICC ID issued by NCIP.
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID.
- Firearms License ID issued by PNP-FEO.
- Company/Employee ID from government offices, GOCCs, or private companies registered with SEC/DOLE, bearing photo and signature.
- School/Student ID for currently-enrolled students, plus current registration form.
- Certificate of Confirmation (for Muslim Filipinos) with photo.
- NBI or PNP Clearance (issued within the last year, original with dry seal).
- PhilHealth ID (plastic or digitised; MDR alone not accepted).
- TIN ID (BIR printed with photo & signature; paper card not accepted).
- Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book (SIRB) or Marina ID.
- OFW OWWA ID / iDOLE card.
- Bureau of Immigration ACR-I-Card (for dual citizens).
- Government-owned bank ATM card with printed name & photo (e.g., LandBank cash card issued to 4Ps beneficiaries).
- Other government-issued IDs with photo and signature (e.g., DFA Courtesy ID, GOCC IDs).
Not accepted: purely digital screenshots of e-wallet profiles, birth certificate, Community Tax Certificate (cedula) unless paired with a barangay ID, expired IDs, or photocopies without originals.
4. If You Lack an Acceptable ID
Section 5(b) of R.A. 8189 allows a voter-identifier: a registered voter of the same barangay or a relative within the fourth civil degree who possesses a valid ID and executes Part IV of the application form under oath in front of the EO. Two circumstances trigger this:
- Newly 18-year-old voters who still have no IDs.
- Residents of remote barangays where IDs are uncommon (e.g., IP communities).
The EO may also administer oath-taking on identity using the barangay captain’s certification plus one secondary document (e.g., PSA birth certificate) when the identifier system is impracticable.
5. Step-by-Step Procedure to Obtain the Certification
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Book an appointment via COMELEC’s OEO Appointment Scheduler (walk-ins allowed in many provinces). | Bring screenshot/print-out. |
| 2 | Present valid ID(s) at the front desk. | ID details must match VRR in precinct finder. |
| 3 | Pay the fee (₱75). | Accepted: cash, GCash, or LGU-adopted e-payment; exempt under R.A. 11261. |
| 4 | Biometrics verification (fingerprint scan). | Confirms that biometrics haven’t been deactivated. |
| 5 | Release of print-out with QR & dry seal. | Verify precinct and spelling before leaving. |
Processing usually takes 10–15 minutes if records are up-to-date. Back-files or “deactivated” status (failure to vote two consecutive cycles) require reactivation first.
6. Special Situations
| Scenario | Additional rule |
|---|---|
| Overseas voters (OCOV) | Philippine Embassies/Consulates issue certifications using the iRehistro database; same ID list applies plus valid Philippine Passport. |
| Lost/Destroyed Certification | Simply request re-issuance; full ₱75 fee applies (no notarised affidavit required). |
| Court appearance | Courts often require the certifying officer (EO) to initial the annotation “Issued for Court use” on the upper-right margin. |
| Name correction or change of civil status | Secure a supplemental or correction order first; IDs reflecting new name/status must be presented before the certification can carry the updated details. |
7. Common Pitfalls & Practical Tips
- Mismatch of middle name/initial between ID and VRR delays release—carry at least one ID bearing your full middle name (e.g., NBI Clearance).
- Expired passport = invalid. Renewal receipt is not acceptable on its own.
- Digital-only ePhilID? Must be printed on security paper or glossy photo paper with visible QR; PDF on phone is rejected.
- Out-of-town issuance. You may claim a certification from any local COMELEC office if you appear personally and present a valid ID—this is permitted by Res. 10946 and facilitated by the nationwide VRR network. Expect an extra 24-hour validation if requesting outside your city/municipality.
- First-time jobseekers. Bring a Barangay Certification of Unemployment to waive the fee under R.A. 11261—can only be used once, tracked by QR code.
8. Future Developments
- Integration with PhilSys: COMELEC and PSA signed a 2024 data-sharing MOU to embed a digital voter status flag in the PhilSys registry. Eventually the National ID alone may suffice, eliminating the stand-alone voter’s certification.
- E-Certification Pilot: Res. 10946 authorises an online Voter Certificate Generator (VCG) using PhilSys-verified identity + OTP. Full rollout targets 2026 barangay elections.
Key Takeaways
- Bring at least one government ID with photo and signature; PhilSys, Passport, Driver’s License, UMID and PRC IDs are the most universally recognised.
- If you lack any valid ID, a voter-identifier from the same barangay can attest to your identity under oath.
- The process is quick (≈15 min) and costs ₱75, but is free to first-time jobseekers.
- Keep the certification secure; some agencies (DFA, POEA) require it to be not older than six months.
- Expect gradual migration to a fully digital certificate tied to the National ID in the coming years.
With these guidelines, you can confidently secure your voter’s certification and understand exactly which IDs will—and will not—be accepted under Philippine election law.