Before the year 2017 started I promised to myself that I would start applying for government IDs I still do not have because I found it very difficult to apply for things from different establishments as most of them require at least one government-issued ID, well I don't have any but an identification card that the company I work for issued to me. I also plan to get a Passport for myself in case an out-of-the-country opportunity knocks on my door this year. And as you may have already guessed, I will be needing those government IDs again to get this passport.
As insane as it sounds I still don't an SSS ID despite being an active BPO industry employee since 2006. I tried to get one in 2011 but for some reason it never got delivered to me, so that means I will be re-applying for this one too which I will be talking about in a separate post. But here, I will be sharing my experience on how I applied for my Postal ID here in Davao City.
As for the Postal ID, this is my second time applying for one. The first time was of course in 2006 when I was looking a job. Back then, it was very very easy to get one as the application process and getting your ID could only be done in less than a day, that was because the Postal ID was not in digitized format yet, the fee (Php150) was very low and the validity period ( five years) was a lot longer than today.
So I processed my Postal ID application on March 20th, 2017 and it only took me half day to complete everything. Provided that you have all the necessary documents before heading to your local post office, it is highly likely that your experience will be extremely smooth as well, just like mine.
These are what you need to prepare before applying for your postal ID. - Duly accomplished application form which you can also download from www.phlpost.gov.ph website. You need to have two copies filled out.
- Original and at least two photocopies of your National Statistics Office (NSO) or Local Civil Registry certified Birth Certificate
- Original and at least two photocopies of your proof of address, it should be under your name and current address as well. Any utility bills will do for this part such as Meralco, Internet, Cable Service, Credit Card Statement, Postpaid bills etc. In my case, I used a Barangay Clearance, which is also acceptable, as my proof of address document.
- If you are a married female, you will also need a to present your marriage certificate.
- Php504 fee
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Upon filling out the Postal ID Application form, make sure that you write every information correctly and accurately to avoid misspellings and getting incorrect details on the actual ID itself. If you cannot download and print the form from the PHLPOST website above, you can also get a physical copy of the form at the post office. But if you can download and fill out the form before hand, it will save you a lot of time.
And of course, don't forget to bring with you the original copies and photocopies of your supporting documents all the time. If you can also ready an exact amount for the payment, please do so to avoid any unexpected delays during the process, although as I said above everything well smoothly.
So here in Davao City, I went to the local post office which is about 15 minutes away from where I live at around 1PM. I approached a lady in charge in assisting applicants, she double checked all my requirements to see if I was missing anything, then she provided me a priority number once everything was all set. Waited for my number to be called which took a little over an hour before I had my turn. In the cashier window, another staff checked all my requirements and had me signed some papers and receipts and asked for the payment amount of Php504.
By the way, they only got the photocopies of my birth certificate, but the original copy of brgy clearance was taken. Then I was given an official receipt of the transaction of which I needed to present at the photo capturing booth's staff to assist me getting my photo for the ID captured and double check all information before sending for processing to make sure that everything is correct and accurate.
And then just like that, I was done. I am now waiting for my Postal ID to be delivered to my address within 2-3 weeks as the ID is printed and shipped from Manila. I heard if you are from Manila it should only take about two weeks to get yours. And then I was told that in case I do not receive my Postal ID in the mail, I can follow it up at that same local Post Office after the said delivery timeframe.
I will update this post as soon as I receive my digitized Postal ID. And if you have any questions, feel free to use the comment section below to ask. And oh, the new Postal ID is valid for three years.
