How to Get a Postal ID

Some of you may still feel the need to get a postal ID for further national identification, and since it's a local government-approved identification card, you may use it perhaps in opening new bank accounts, claiming your package, or sending documents/money to another person.

Usually, applying for postal ID in your locality takes a small amount of time, as long as you have fulfilled the requirements. The whole postal ID creation process involves fees for lamination, membership, notarization, among others.

Here are six easy steps, which I think apply to all government-controlled post offices and to some privately held post offices, to get a postal ID. This post serves as a quick guide on how to apply for a postal ID.

STEP 1: Prepare and bring the following documents or requirements to the post office's ID issuance area. Note that these may or may not be needed in some post offices, but it's better to be prepared than never.

• two (2) valid/government-issued IDs with photocopy each: passport, driver's license, nbi clearance, police clearance, PRC license, government ID (if employee)
• community tax certificate (cedula) with photocopy from the corresponding City Hall
• two 2x2 photos (white background preferably) | bring additional copies, maybe they'd ask for more!
• NSO certificate of live birth with photocopy
• postal ID-related fees, approximately 300 Php (in Manila)
• ball pen

STEP 2: Once the documents are presented, the staff in-charged will provide you an application form. Fill in the necessary details. 

STEP 3: Submit the form together with the said requirements. The staff, at the processing window, will then ask you certain information found either in your NSO certificate or valid IDs. Answering these should be natural. Pay the postal ID fee. (Dito may receipt, hehe.)

The issuer may also give you an empty postal ID card in this step. Fill in the necessary details. 

STEP 4: Return back the filled out postal ID card. With all documents including the application form and empty postal ID card submitted, all you need to do is wait for your name to be called.

STEP 5: When your name is called, approach the window allocated for releasing of postal IDs. She will tell you to review the details prior the lamination; check out if there are errors. Don't hesitate to ask. Give it back to her for lamination.

STEP 6: After lamination, you can now claim your newly released postal ID. Photocopy it for your personal purposes, as mentioned in the opening paragraph of this post.

Schedule of ID Processing (Manila Post Office): 1 to 5 PM

Process Time: less than 1 hour, if requirements are prepared

Hope this has provided you enough information to help you avail of a postal ID!