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Valid IDs Commonly Used for Loan Applications

By Marissa Dela Cruz · Last updated: 1 October 2026

An ID is the first document almost every lender asks for. It lets the lender confirm who you are before releasing money, and it helps protect you from someone else borrowing in your name. This page explains which government-issued IDs are commonly used for loan applications in the Philippines, what selfie and liveness checks are for, and how to keep your ID safe. It is part of our guide to loan requirements and eligibility. Accepted IDs vary by lender, so confirm the list with the lender you apply to.

Primary and Secondary IDs: What the Difference Means

Some institutions group IDs into primary IDs, government-issued photo IDs usually accepted on their own, and secondary IDs, supporting documents accepted only with a primary ID or for smaller transactions. The grouping is not the same everywhere. Under BSP rules on customer identification, a first-time client is generally asked to present at least one valid photo-bearing ID issued by an official authority. The safest choice is a current, government-issued ID with your photo and signature.

Government-Issued IDs Lenders Commonly Accept

These IDs appear in the published requirements of Philippine banks and other institutions. Not every lender accepts every ID.

PhilSys National ID (PhilID). Under Republic Act No. 11055, the PhilID or PhilSys number, subject to authentication, is sufficient proof of identity. The PSA says the card, paper ePhilID and Digital National ID are all valid, and the BSP has directed BSP-supervised institutions to place the PhilID at the top of their lists of acceptable IDs.
Philippine passport and driver's license, widely accepted; check the expiry date.
UMID and SSS or GSIS IDs, commonly listed in bank requirements.
PRC ID, for licensed professionals.
Postal ID and voter's ID or certification, listed by some lenders but limited or excluded by others; confirm first.
TIN ID, issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
OFW, OWWA or other overseas worker IDs, accepted by many lenders for overseas workers and their families.
Other government or professional IDs, such as those issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Pag-IBIG (HDMF), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the National Council on Disability Affairs, depending on the lender.

A company ID or student ID is usually not enough alone.

Selfie and Liveness Checks

Many digital lenders ask for a selfie or short video check to confirm that the face matches your ID and that a real person is present, not a printed photo or recording. To pass smoothly, use good lighting, avoid glare and filters, and make sure your ID is clear, complete and unexpired. If your ID photo looks very different from you now, consider updating it.

Keeping Your ID Safe When Applying

Confirm the lender first. See how to verify a lending company in the Philippines.
Use official channels only, such as the lender's official app or website, not chat messages or personal accounts.
Do not overshare. Provide the ID the lender needs, not every ID you own.
Do not accept "release fees" tied to your ID. A demand to pay before a loan is released is a warning sign.
Watch for misuse. If you see unfamiliar loans or messages linked to your name, act quickly and report it.

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) protects personal information, including your ID details. For more on risky lenders, read loan app scam warning signs.

What to Do if Your ID Is Expired or Missing

Check whether you have another valid ID; many lenders accept more than one type. Apply for renewal or replacement with the issuing agency and expect processing time. Ask the lender what interim proof it accepts, which is up to the lender. Never use someone else's ID or an altered document. If your Digital National ID is your main ID, note that the PSA prohibits printing it on plastic cards and such prints are not accepted. To see how lenders judge your application overall, read what affects your loan eligibility, and if you are new to borrowing, see Can You Get a Loan With No Credit History?

Ready to Look at Your Options?

Once your documents are ready, compare lenders with confidence. Start with our list of a loan app with low interest rate that borrowers compare, and check each lender's ID and document requirements before you apply.

FAQs

Is a PhilSys ID accepted?

In general yes. Republic Act No. 11055 provides that the PhilID or PhilSys number, subject to authentication, is sufficient proof of identity, and the PSA says non-acceptance without just and sufficient cause can be penalized. Lenders may still have their own verification steps.

Can I use an expired ID?

Most lenders do not accept expired IDs. The PSA states that the Digital National ID has no expiration date. For other IDs, check the validity date before you apply and renew early.

Why does a lender ask for a selfie?

A selfie helps confirm that you are the person on the ID and that a real person is applying. It is a common security step for digital loan applications.

Is it safe to send an ID photo through chat?

It is safer to use the lender's official app or website. Sending an ID photo through chat, especially to an unverified person, increases the risk of misuse. A lender that only accepts IDs through a personal chat account is a warning sign.

Written and maintained by Marissa Dela Cruz, Editor

Marissa researches and maintains every guide on Loan Low Interest, from loan costs and the effective interest rate to eligibility, repayment and borrower safety. She works from primary sources: Philippine laws such as the Truth in Lending Act and the Data Privacy Act, circulars and guidance from the SEC and the BSP, and each provider's own published terms and disclosure statements.

Loan costs and disclosure rulesEligibility and requirementsRepayment and late feesLender verification and safety

Every page follows our editorial policy and is rechecked when rules or terms change. See her full profile and guides.

For information only. This page is not financial or legal advice. Rules, rates and procedures change, so confirm current details with the lender and the relevant government agency.