A valid photo identification (ID) card is needed and required whenever we do transactions, such as sending and receiving money at Western Union and other money transfer agencies, opening a savings or checking account at different banks, doing other financial transactions with banks and non-banks financial institutions, getting a passport, checking in at the airport, and transacting with other government and private agencies. An ID card helps us to enter into transactions, as well as entering premises like schools and offices. It also represents our “Identification” which we can keep in our wallet. Thus, it is best for everyone to secure and keep a valid ID. The following is a list of current valid and acceptable photo identification (IDs) in the Philippines based on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 706 (Updated Anti-Money Laundering Rules and Regulations).
- Passport including those issued by foreign governments
- Driver’s license
- Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
- Police clearance
- Postal ID
- Voter’s ID
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Barangay certification
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
- Social Security System (SSS) card
- Senior Citizen card
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) ID
- Seaman’s book
- Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration
- Government office and GOCC ID (e.g., AFP, HDMF IDs)
- Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) certification
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
- Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP, SEC or IC.
- Valid photo-bearing school ID duly signed by the principal or head of the school (for non-voting/minor age students).
- Similar IDs duly issued by the foreign government where the customer is a resident or a citizen may be presented (for non-Philippine resident).
The BSP circular also made it to require the presentation of the original and submit a clear copy of only at least one of the valid ID above instead of the previous requirement of 2 valid IDs for people who will engage in a financial transaction for the first time with financial institutions, such as banks, Offshore banking units, quasi-banks, trust entities, non-stock savings and loan associations, pawnshops, foreign exchange dealers, money changers, remittance agents, electronic money issuers and other financial institutions which under special laws are subject to BSP supervision and/or regulation. This is in order to promote access of Filipinos to services offered by formal financial institutions, particularly those residing in the remote areas, as well as to encourage and facilitate remittances of OFWs through the banking system.
Reference: Bangko Sentral nf Pilipinas Circular No. 706 issued on 01/05/2011
Victorino Q. Abrugar is a marketing strategist and business consultant from Tacloban City, Philippines. Vic has been in the online marketing industry for more than 7 years, practicing problogging, web development, content marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and consulting.
haira jur-jay jeopli says
i used my school ID in picking up the money in 1 western union station here in our province.but they don’t accept my ID because it’s out of school days now(summer vacation),,but i don’t have any other valid ID’s to use,,,but the other station,still accept my ID for the transaction,,is your establishment have different rules and regulations for sending and receiving money???
Victorino Abrugar says
Hi. Ids to be valid, should not be expired. Thus, they are correct not to accept your school ID which already expires.
Lyn says
Hi Sir Aril.As far as I know, Western Union will accept the student ID but has a maximum amount of 3000 only if exceeded it will not accepted anymore. If the student was already 18years old and above you need to present a Valid ID issued by the Government as their SOP for Government Compliance.
Presentacion Alvarez says
Thank you sir for this article. Just ysterday I presented my BIR TIN ID to an agency (Prime asia-in San Francisco,Camotes Island ) of Western Union and they turned down the release of my money transfer because of what they claim as a memo in their agency no longer accepting BIR TIN ID if the amount claimed is over P500. This deprived me to access to my money and I would have to go to mainland Cebu just to get the money. Do they have a right to do that to customers of Western union?
Aril Earvin Esperanza says
the western union should let the student i.d at any age, because you can verify it by getting the registration form of the student, so there you can verify if its valid or not, i’m still a student at age 25, the school i.d is only my valid i.d for now, western union should let me use that, its only commonsense to your company,if you want your customers to be loyal to you, you should change your policy at school i.d… such a big disturbance for us
PAULA says
im a minor my age is 16 and im a student the teller in western union told me that I cant able to receive a money which is came from my grandmother in states they told me that possible of two (2) valid id but im not capable to have those id that they required I have only one (1) student valid id how can I get the money which is I very important to receive I need that to my regular check-up…plss inform me immediately ,,tnx
Lyn says
Hi Sir Aril.As far as I know, Western Union will accept the student ID but has a maximum amount of 3000 only if exceeded it will not accepted anymore. If the student was already 18years old and above you need to present a Valid ID issued by the Government as their SOP for Government Compliance.
Lyn says
I think It will depends on the amount 🙂
If it is big amount you need to bring your Guardian and will be presented also their Government Valid ID.
madz says
When I get the money in western union in manila they accepted my xerox passport coppy,but when I presented it again in Baguio city they didnot accept…it is my only way to take the money because I lost my wallet and my valid ids were there
jewel says
Can i use my police clearance to pick up money from western union send by some relatives abroad. Its my first time. Just asking
Lyn says
Yes.But a maximum of 3000 only 🙂
thin says
I went to a Western Union here in Pasay City. They dont accepted my BIR TIN ID,even my POLICE ID W/ CLEARANCE due to should be updated in 6months, but Police Clearance is valid for 1year. I only have my Company ID but still they want 2,valid ID. Our money is valid for 45 days only and it will be forfitted if will take longer.
Julius says
Hey can i use my company i.d to reviece a money in western union? I dont have any valid i.d to use my nbi has already expired and the only i.d i have is my companoy i.d ..
Please western i need your answer now.
Thank you in advance
Airene says
Hai Good Afternoon, Can I use my Philhealth Id claiming money in western union?
vivian says
hi. good afternoon. i went to WU Tutuban yesterday. they declined my Government ID.
Dianna says
Please change your policy if you want your costumers be loyal to your company,even me they didnt accept my voters certificate and school i.d.almost every week i get money to you western union.but now i was so dissappointed.thank u
jazzel says
How bout postal Id for 1st timer in WU??
ian says
sir good afternoon po pwede din po ba na makakuha ng international money irecieve ko lang po ang padala sakin ang ids ko po ay postal ang police clearance ??
jhaycel lacson says
my mother is in new york shes about to send to me a money but i dont have any id ? is
police clearance accepted to be an id ?
Ivan says
Bago lang po ako nag 18 nung March and wala pa po akong any government issued ID. Ayaw nila tanggapin ang school ID ko kasi 18 na po daw ako . Pwede NSO Birth Cert. + School ID ? Is it okay?
Mia Reyes says
Hi guys, there are other remittance company to choose why don’t you guys give it a try like Palawan, LBC, Villarica, Tambunting for your International and Domestic remittance 😉
Christopher says
Sir, good morning
but hindi valid yung student ID sa mga western wala pakasi ako goverment ID
22 naako
yung ID student ko kasi from CITE ( center industry technolgy enterprise)
valid yan na ID tapos hindi tangapin
anu bah hinahanap na ibana student lang ako
need to reply me in facebook
https://www.facebook.com/deemixjay
viangca says
is it okay na school id lng ipapakita ko upon receiving money tapos 18 na ako? nakaclaim na ako ng money dati tapos passport gamit ko. then ngayon, nasa kapatid ko yung passport ko and nasa japan sya today. may copy ba ang western union ng passport ko and pwede na maka claim dun in the same branch?
Aljhun Jade Ramos says
Sir pwede po ba gamitin ang NSO pag mag recieved ka ng pera Sa western Union ? I need your reply ASAP
Ann Gonzaga says
Hi 🙂 Can I ask lang po if I’m 17 and turning 18 by this March. My bf sent me a parcel from US . Door to door delivery. I was wondering what ID can I show upon delivery ? I have my NBI . Is it acceptable ?
D ko po kasi alam na nahulog nya na pala. He just told me when he finished to ship it.
Thank you
Leajane says
Hello po .ask ko lang po if yung barangay id is acceptable as a valid id by picking up the money in money gram or western union ? Thank you!
Gentle dela cruz says
Hi I just wanna ask something, i will get money from western union, as of the moment i dont have work so i dont have company Id. I have may passport but it recently expires last april 9,2017. What i have is philhealth id and TIN id. And also NBI clearance that was issued last july 2016 and will expire on july this year. According to the lists of valid ids that we can use to transact to get the money, NBI clearance is included on their list. I just wanna confirm if its true or do i need other supporting documents or ids? Thanks!
Angel says
Can I use my birth certificate for receiving money? My school ID is expired already.
Rhenelyn lacra says
Police clearance is accepted? Which one is that is the only l have.
Mars says
Hi ilan po maximum received money sa WU gamit ang NBI clearance from outside Philippines?
Mars says
Pwede ba magreceive ng big amount gamit NBI clearance? About 60k from Japan
Business Tips says
Hello, it will depend on where you are receiving it, since remittance agencies have different policies. However, NBI clearance is generally an acceptable government identification, and it only needs one identification to present to let you receive the money. However, please call the hotline or phone number of the remittance agency and ask them for confirmation.
Gaudiosa says
Hello sir. I already have a Tin number, may I know where to get the Tin ID? And how much is the payment for the ID? I’m from Cagayan de Oro City
Business Tips says
There is no payment for getting the TIN Card. If you lose your TIN Card, you have to visit the BIR RDO where you are registered to get your TIN Card. They may require you to submit some documents like affidavit of loss.
April says
May valid I’d ako na Phil heath I’d pro Hindi pla pwde yun gmitin sa western Union bkit Hindi pwde?
Business Tips says
Hello April, according to Western Union,
“If you are in the Philippines and would like to receive money from the Philippines, yes, you can use your Philhealth ID to pick up funds. If your money is coming from another country, your Philhealth ID will not be valid.”
Source: https://www.facebook.com/WesternUnion/posts/10154299946062457
bernard mutya says
Hi, im bernard mutya. I just want to asked if pwede ko gamitin philhealth id ko para kuhain padala ng mommy ko from lebanon? please reply i need to know asap
Elyn says
Hello , if ever my NBI expired Jan 30, 2019 Can i still use it this now ? i have supporting ids to show Like PhilHealth and Tin .. Ill be getting money from other country .. And actually i am using USSC app just wondering why i cant receive money by now.
mae says
hello po !ako po si mae first time ko po kukuha ng pera sa western union . pwede po kaya yung NBI o kaya police clearance po? .from qatar po yung sender sa ate ko po . thanks po…
Deza says
Hello po, tanong lng. Bakit Hindi tinatanggap Ang passport card issue by the USA or yung drivers license abroad? It falls under #1 at Yung last “similar Id’s duly issued by the foreign government where the customer is a resident or a citizen maybe presented (for non Philippine residents). Hinahanapan ka ng Philippine ID, eh Hindi ka nga taga dito. Federal issued ID Yung ibinigay mo, gnagamit mgtravel international pro hndi inaprobahan ksi daw hndi valid. Sana nmn po i-explain sa mga agent Yung nka sulat sa site ninyo o d kaya mg’isip out of the box.
Jessa Paggao says
Valid po ba yung Voter’s certification?
ERICA says
CAN I USE TIN ID TO RECEIVED MONEY IN MONEY GRAM?
Regie Luckie says
Hi po Im 12 years old can i send money on palawan express?
april joy vestuir says
Hi!can I ask? What kind of police clearance that should be used to claim the money on money gram? Local or abroad??plss reply me!