Accepted IDs for Globe SIM: Complete Document Checklist 2026
Official list of valid government-issued IDs for Globe SIM registration in the Philippines
Last Updated: January 2026 | Total Accepted IDs: 20+ Types
✅ Quick Summary: What You Need to Know
- You need ONE valid government-issued ID to register Globe SIM
- 20+ types of IDs are accepted including passport, driver’s license, national ID
- ID must be currently valid (not expired)
- ID photo must be clear and readable (digital photo or scan)
- Foreign nationals can use passport + visa
📑 Quick Navigation:
One of the most common questions about Globe SIM registration is: “What IDs are accepted?” This comprehensive guide provides the complete, official list of all government-issued identification documents accepted for SIM registration in the Philippines under RA 11934 (SIM Registration Act).
Whether you’re a Filipino citizen, foreign resident, or tourist, this guide covers which IDs you can use, photo requirements, and alternatives if your preferred ID is unavailable or expired.
⚠️ Important: Globe accepts IDs issued by Philippine government agencies and internationally recognized documents (passport). The ID must be CURRENTLY VALID – expired IDs are not accepted.
Complete List of Accepted IDs (20+ Types)
Globe accepts the following government-issued identification documents for SIM registration:
🔵 Most Commonly Used IDs (Recommended)
These IDs are most frequently accepted and have the highest success rates:
Philippine National ID (PhilSys)
- Official Name: PhilSys National ID
- Issued By: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Features: Blue card with chip, barcode, photo
- Validity: Lifetime (no expiration)
- Acceptance: 100% accepted, highest priority
✅ Best Choice: Most reliable ID for all transactions in Philippines
Philippine Passport
- Issued By: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Colors: Maroon (regular), Green (official), Brown (ePassport)
- Validity: 10 years (adults), 5 years (minors)
- Requirements: Must show photo page with details
- Foreign Passport: Also accepted for tourists
✅ For Tourists: Foreign passport required for non-Filipinos
Driver’s License
- Issued By: Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- Types: Student permit, Non-professional, Professional
- Validity: 5 years (plastic card), varies for paper
- Card Types: Old paper type OR new plastic card
- Important: Must not be expired
⚠️ Note: Student permit is accepted even if temporary
📋 All Other Accepted Government IDs
| ID Type | Issued By | Validity Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMID (Unified Multi-Purpose ID) | SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, HDMF | No expiration (lifetime) | Blue card with microchip |
| SSS ID (Social Security) | Social Security System | No expiration | UMID is newer version |
| GSIS ID (Government Service) | Government Service Insurance System | No expiration | For government employees |
| PhilHealth ID | Philippine Health Insurance Corporation | No expiration | Pink card, health insurance |
| TIN ID (Tax Identification) | Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) | No expiration | White/gray card with number |
| Postal ID | Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) | 3 years | Easy to obtain, quick processing |
| Voter’s ID | Commission on Elections (COMELEC) | No expiration | Requires voter registration |
| PRC ID (Professional Regulation) | Professional Regulation Commission | 3 years (renewal required) | For licensed professionals |
| Senior Citizen ID | OSCA / LGU | No expiration | For 60+ years old |
| PWD ID (Person with Disability) | NCDA / LGU | No expiration | For persons with disabilities |
| Firearms License ID | Philippine National Police (PNP) | Varies (1-4 years) | Must be currently valid |
| Police Clearance | Philippine National Police | 6 months | Recent clearance only |
| NBI Clearance | National Bureau of Investigation | 1 year | Must be currently valid |
| IBP ID (Integrated Bar) | Integrated Bar of the Philippines | Annual renewal | For lawyers only |
| School ID (College/University) | Educational Institution | Current school year | Must show current semester |
| Company ID | Employer | While employed | From reputable companies only |
| ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate) | Bureau of Immigration | 1 year (renewable annually) | For foreign residents in PH |
| Seaman’s Book | Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) | Varies | For maritime professionals |
| OFW ID (Overseas Workers) | OWWA / POEA | Varies by contract | For deployed OFWs |
| Barangay ID/Certification | Local Barangay Office | 1 year typically | With photo, signed by barangay captain |
💡 Pro Tip: If you have multiple IDs, use National ID, Passport, or Driver’s License as they have the highest acceptance rate and fastest verification.
Primary vs Secondary IDs: What’s the Difference?
Globe categorizes accepted IDs into two tiers based on reliability and verification strength:
✅ PRIMARY IDs (Tier 1)
Government-issued with strong verification features. ONE primary ID is sufficient for registration.
Includes:
- Philippine National ID (PhilSys)
- Philippine Passport
- Driver’s License
- UMID
- SSS ID / GSIS ID
- PRC ID
- Postal ID
- Voter’s ID
- ACR I-Card (foreigners)
✅ Advantage:
Fastest verification, highest acceptance rate, no additional documents needed
⚠️ SECONDARY IDs (Tier 2)
Valid but may require additional verification or supporting documents in some cases.
Includes:
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- School ID (college/university)
- Company ID (reputable firms)
- Barangay ID/Certification
- Senior Citizen ID
- PWD ID
- OFW ID
- Seaman’s Book
⚠️ Note:
May need supporting document or manual verification at Globe Store
📌 Recommendation: If you have access to multiple IDs, always choose a PRIMARY ID (National ID, Passport, Driver’s License, UMID) for fastest and smoothest registration process.
ID Photo Requirements & Specifications
Your ID photo must meet these technical requirements to be accepted by Globe’s verification system:
📸 Image Quality
- Format: JPG, JPEG, or PNG
- File Size: Under 2MB (maximum)
- Resolution: Minimum 640×480 pixels
- Color: Full color (not black & white)
- Clarity: All text must be readable
🎯 Photo Framing
- ID should fill most of frame
- All four corners visible
- No parts cut off or cropped
- ID flat and parallel to camera
- Entire ID visible in one shot
💡 Lighting & Background
- Good, even lighting (no shadows)
- No glare or reflections
- Plain background (solid color)
- Natural daylight is best
- Avoid yellow indoor lights
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Take Perfect ID Photo
- Remove ID from plastic sleeve/lamination (prevents glare)
- Place ID flat on white paper or light-colored surface
- Go near window for natural daylight (or use bright lamp)
- Hold phone camera directly above ID (parallel, not tilted)
- Fill frame with ID but show all edges
- Tap to focus on ID text
- Take photo when lighting is even and no shadows
- Review photo – zoom in to check all text is readable
- Retake if any blur, glare, or shadow appears
❌ Common Photo Mistakes to Avoid
- Glare from plastic covering
- Blurry or out-of-focus
- Shadows falling on ID
- ID corners cut off
- Too dark or backlighting
- Holding ID at an angle
- Using flash (causes glare)
- Text not readable when zoomed
- Wrong file format (HEIC, GIF)
- File size over 2MB
💡 Quick Test: After taking photo, zoom in on the ID number and your name. If you can read them clearly, the photo quality is good enough. If blurry, retake in better light.
For Foreign Nationals: Accepted Documents
If you’re not a Filipino citizen, Globe accepts these identification documents for SIM registration:
✈️ For Tourists (Short Visit)
Required Documents:
- Primary: Valid passport from your country
- Supporting: Tourist visa OR entry stamp on passport
- Address: Hotel address in Philippines (acceptable)
📝 Notes: SIM registration is valid for duration of tourist visa. Use hotel/accommodation address when registering.
🏠 For Foreign Residents
Required Documents:
- Primary: ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration)
- Alternative: Valid passport + Philippine work visa
- Address: Residential address in Philippines
📝 Best Option: ACR I-Card is the most reliable for long-term residents and requires no additional documents.
🎓 Foreign Students/Workers
Required Documents:
- Primary: Valid passport
- Plus: Student visa OR work permit
- Supporting: School enrollment OR company ID (helps)
- Address: Dormitory/residence address
⚠️ Important: Visa must be currently valid. Expired student/work visa requires renewal before SIM registration.
🌍 Universal Requirement for All Foreign Nationals:
- Passport must be VALID (not expired)
- Must have legal entry to Philippines (visa/stamp)
- Philippine address required (hotel address OK for tourists)
- SIM registration validity matches visa validity
Special Cases & Alternatives
What to do if your ID is expired, damaged, or you don’t have the common IDs:
❓ What if my ID is expired?
Short Answer: Expired IDs are NOT accepted for Globe SIM registration. You must use a currently valid ID.
❌ What Won’t Work:
- Expired driver’s license
- Expired passport
- Expired PRC ID
- Any ID past its validity date
✅ Solutions:
- Use a different valid ID: Check if you have UMID, Postal ID, Voter’s ID, National ID
- Get Postal ID quickly: PHLPost processes in 1-2 weeks, cheap and easy
- Renew expired ID: LTO (driver’s license) or DFA (passport) renewal
- Visit Globe Store: Staff may accept expired ID + supporting documents (case by case)
❓ My ID is damaged or worn out. Will it work?
It Depends: ID is acceptable if key information is still readable. If photo, name, or ID number is damaged/faded, it may be rejected.
⚠️ Acceptable Damage:
- Minor scratches on plastic (but text visible)
- Slightly bent/wrinkled (but not torn)
- Color fading (but photo/text still clear)
- Worn edges (but ID intact)
❌ Unacceptable Damage:
- Photo completely faded/illegible
- Name or ID number unreadable
- Torn in half or multiple pieces
- Significant water damage (text blurred)
- Lamination completely peeled off
Solution: Take a very clear, well-lit photo to maximize readability. If rejected, request replacement ID from issuing agency.
❓ I’m under 18. What ID can I use?
For Minors (Under 18): SIM must be registered under parent/guardian’s name using parent’s ID. Minors cannot register SIM in their own name.
✅ Accepted Process for Minors:
- Parent/guardian registers SIM using their ID
- Parent’s name appears on registration
- Minor can use the SIM, but ownership is parent’s
- Parent is legally responsible for SIM usage
💡 If Minor Has Valid ID:
- Birth Certificate PSA: Not accepted as photo ID (no picture)
- School ID: May work if issued by recognized institution
- Minor’s Passport: Accepted, but parent consent may be required
- National ID: If minor has PhilSys ID, may work with parental consent
Recommendation: Safest option is parent/guardian registration to avoid complications.
❓ I don’t have any government-issued ID. What can I do?
You MUST obtain at least one ID before registering Globe SIM. Registration is not possible without valid identification.
✅ Fastest IDs to Obtain (No ID Required):
1. Postal ID (PHLPost) – FASTEST
- Processing Time: 1-2 weeks
- Cost: ₱500-600
- Requirements: Birth certificate + barangay clearance OR any supporting doc
- Where: Any PHLPost office
2. National ID (PhilSys)
- Processing Time: 4-8 weeks
- Cost: FREE
- Requirements: Filipino citizen, any age
- Where: PhilSys registration centers
3. Barangay ID
- Processing Time: Same day to 1 week
- Cost: ₱50-200 (varies by barangay)
- Requirements: Proof of residence (bills, lease)
- Where: Your local barangay hall
⏱️ Urgent? Apply for Postal ID (1-2 weeks fastest) while waiting for National ID (free but slower). In meantime, SIM registration must wait until you have valid ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use two different IDs for registration (e.g., one for photo, another for number)?
No, you must use ONE ID only. The photo you upload, the ID number you enter, and the name you provide must ALL match the same single ID. Mixing information from different IDs will cause rejection. Choose your best/clearest ID and use it for all fields.
❓ Is a scanned copy of my ID acceptable, or does it need to be a photo?
Both are acceptable! A scanned copy (JPG/PNG) works perfectly as long as it’s clear and under 2MB file size. In fact, scanned IDs are often clearer than photos. However, taking a photo with your phone camera is faster and usually sufficient. The key is that all text must be readable and the image quality must be good.
❓ Do I need to upload both front and back of my ID?
No, you only need to upload the FRONT side of your ID (the side with your photo, name, and ID number). The back side is not required for Globe SIM registration. This applies to all ID types – driver’s license, postal ID, UMID, etc. Only front side with photo and personal details is needed.
❓ My name on ID has typo/different spelling than I use. Will this cause problems?
You MUST enter your name EXACTLY as shown on your ID, including any typos or spelling variations. Do not “correct” your name – enter it character-for-character as printed on the ID. Globe’s system will match what you type with the ID photo. After registration is approved, you can request a name correction if needed by visiting Globe Store with proof (birth certificate, etc.). But for initial registration, use the exact ID spelling.
❓ Can I use my company ID or school ID for registration?
YES, but with conditions. School ID: Accepted if from a recognized college/university and shows current enrollment. High school IDs may not be accepted. Company ID: Accepted if from a reputable, registered company. However, these are considered SECONDARY IDs and may require additional verification. For fastest processing, use a PRIMARY government-issued ID (National ID, Passport, Driver’s License, UMID) if available.
📚 Related Registration Guides
Complete Globe SIM Registration Guide
Full step-by-step registration process and all methods
Register Globe SIM Online Tutorial
How to register online in 5 minutes via web portal
Globe SIM Selfie Requirements
Photo tips to avoid rejection during verification
✅ Summary: Accepted IDs for Globe SIM
Globe accepts 20+ types of government-issued IDs for SIM registration. You only need ONE valid ID – preferably a primary ID like National ID, Passport, Driver’s License, or UMID for fastest processing. The ID must be currently valid (not expired), and the photo must be clear with all text readable.
Foreign nationals can use passport + visa. If you don’t have any ID, apply for Postal ID (fastest, 1-2 weeks) or National ID (free but takes 4-8 weeks). Minors must register under parent/guardian’s ID.
About the Author: Liezel is a telecommunications documentation specialist with expertise in Philippine government ID requirements, SIM registration compliance, and identity verification procedures.
Last Updated: January 30, 2026 | Article Type: Requirements Guide
