By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine Postal Corporation has rolled out same-day release of Postal IDs at its SM Manila Post Office branch, cutting the usual 15-day Metro Manila waiting period to just a few hours, PHLPost announced.
Applicants at the SM Manila Post Office can now get their Postal ID released on the same day of application, provided they submit complete requirements and pass the on-site data capture and biometrics process, PHLPost said.
The move is part of PHLPost’s effort to make the Postal ID — one of the most accessible government-issued IDs — faster to obtain for job applications, bank transactions, and remittances.
Previously, Metro Manila applicants waited 15 working days for delivery, while those in other major cities waited 20 days and island provinces up to 30 days.
PHLPost said the same-day service is expected to help students, first-time job seekers, overseas Filipino workers, and individuals who need urgent, valid ID for transactions. The Postal ID is accepted as a primary ID by most government agencies and as a secondary ID by banks.
Requirements and Process
To avail of the same-day release at SM Manila, applicants must bring:
Duly accomplished application form
Proof of identity – birth certificate, UMID, passport, or driver’s license
Proof of address – barangay certificate, utility bill, or lease contract
Application fee – standard Postal ID fee applies
Applicants undergo photo capture, digital signature, and fingerprint biometrics on-site. Cards are printed and released within the day, subject to system availability.
The Philippine Postal Corp. resumed issuing Postal IDs nationwide in October 2025 after upgrading its capture and registration systems. The same-day release at SM Manila is a pilot to accelerate ID services at high-traffic post office branches.
“PHLPost is committed to making government ID services more accessible and responsive to the public’s needs,” the agency said in a statement.
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