SIM Registration Requirements Philippines 2026 — Complete Guide to Accepted IDs

Last updated: August 2026Quick answer: Under the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934) and its implementing rules, you can register a SIM using any one of 16 officially recognized government-issued photo IDs — not just the National ID. The full list is below. Note that telcos apply this list with some variation, and a proposal is currently pending at the NTC that could eventually make the National ID the sole accepted ID — more on that further down.NationalIDDigital.ph is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the NTC, PSA, PhilSys, or any telecommunications provider. Requirements below are sourced from the NTC’s official implementing rules and telco FAQ pages; always confirm current requirements with your specific network before visiting a store.

Full List of NTC-Accepted IDs for SIM Registration

Section 7 of NTC Memorandum Circular No. 001-12-2022 (the IRR of RA 11934) lists the following as valid government-issued photo IDs for individual SIM registration:

1. Philippine Passport
2. Philippine Identification System ID / PhilID (National ID)
3. Social Security System (SSS) ID
4. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
5. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
6. Police Clearance
7. Firearms License to Own and Possess ID
8. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
9. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
10. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
11. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ID / TIN Card
12. Voter’s ID
13. Senior Citizen’s Card
14. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
15. Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Card
16. Any other valid government-issued ID with photo (including a government employee ID showing profession)

A driver’s license, while not separately named in the base IRR list above, is treated as a standard valid government-issued photo ID and is accepted across all major telcos in practice.

Requirements Vary by Telco — Here’s Where

The law sets the baseline, but individual telcos apply it with their own additions or exclusions. Two examples worth knowing before you go:

• DITO accepts an extended list beyond the base IRR set, including PhilHealth ID, PhilPost ID, PNP ID, AFP ID, municipality/LGU ID, security guard license, fisherfolk ID, and — for state university or college students aged 18 and above — a school ID.
• TNT, by contrast, explicitly does not accept student ID, company ID, barangay certification, postal ID, or TIN card at registration — a narrower interpretation than DITO’s.

The safest approach: check your specific telco’s SIM registration page before your store visit, especially if your only ID falls outside the core 16-item list above.

2026 Update: Proposal to Make National ID the Sole Accepted ID

As of August 2026, the NTC has proposed amending the rules to make the National ID the only acceptable identification document for SIM registration, and held a public hearing on the proposal on August 27, 2026, with position papers accepted through August 24. This is not yet in effect — all 16 IDs listed above remain valid for now. If this proposal is adopted, it would significantly narrow the accepted-ID list described in this guide. We’ll update this page if and when a final rule is published.

Beyond the ID: What Else You’ll Need

Your ID is the main requirement, but registration also asks for:

• Full name, date of birth, and address matching your ID exactly — a mismatch, even a dropped middle name, can flag your submission for manual review.
• A selfie for facial verification against your ID photo (required for most online registrations).
• Your SIM’s ICCID number, found on the SIM card tray or packaging.
• An OTP verification sent to the number you’re registering.

Special Registration Cases

• Minors: SIMs for minors are registered under a parent or legal guardian’s name, with the guardian’s ID plus the minor’s written consent from the parent/guardian.
• Foreign nationals: A valid passport, visa/travel document details, and proof of a Philippine address are required. Tourists typically also need a return or onward ticket; long-term residents may need an ACR I-Card or a work/study permit instead.
• Corporations and organizations: A Certificate of Registration (SEC or DTI) plus a board resolution naming the authorized representative.
• Registration cost: SIM registration is free of charge under the law, regardless of telco.

Registering Specifically With Your National ID

If your National ID is the document you’re planning to use, we’ve written a dedicated walkthrough covering Globe, Smart, TNT, and DITO registration specifically with your PhilID or ePhilID, plus what to do about QR code scanning issues and re-registration after a deactivation: see National ID for SIM Registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What IDs are accepted for SIM registration in the Philippines? A: 16 government-issued photo IDs under NTC rules, including passport, National ID, SSS ID, GSIS e-Card, UMID, Voter’s ID, PRC ID, Senior Citizen’s Card, PWD Card, and more — see the full list above. Some telcos accept additional IDs beyond this base list.Q: Do all telcos accept the same IDs? A: No. The IRR sets a baseline, but DITO, TNT, Globe, and Smart each apply it slightly differently — DITO accepts a broader list, while TNT explicitly excludes a few document types other telcos may allow.Q: Will the National ID become the only accepted ID for SIM registration? A: It’s proposed, not final. The NTC held a public hearing on this in August 2026, but as of this writing all 16 IDs listed above remain valid.Q: Is SIM registration free? A: Yes, it’s free of charge under RA 11934 regardless of which telco or which accepted ID you use.Q: What ID should a minor use to register a SIM? A: SIMs for minors are registered under a parent or legal guardian’s name and ID, along with the guardian’s written consent.Disclaimer: NationalIDDigital.ph is an independent resource. We are not affiliated with the NTC, PSA, PhilSys, or any telecommunications provider. Always verify current requirements with the NTC or your specific telco before registering.