SIM Registration Law in the Philippines: RA 11934 (2026)
Republic Act No. 11934 requires every SIM user to register under their real identity. Here is what the law actually says — without scare tactics.
Republic Act No. 11934, the SIM Registration Act, took effect in December 2022 and requires all end-users of SIM cards in the Philippines to register with their real names and valid IDs. Telcos must deactivate unregistered SIMs. The law aims to reduce SMS scams and improve traceability. Penalties apply mainly to fraud and false information, not honest mistakes during registration.
On this page
What is RA 11934?
Republic Act No. 11934 is the SIM Registration Act of the Philippines. It amends the Public Telecommunications Policy Act and mandates registration of all SIM subscribers — prepaid, postpaid, and most data SIMs — before full service activation.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) oversees compliance. Carriers Globe, Smart, DITO, and their sub-brands operate separate registration portals linked from this site.
Reviewed against RA 11934 full text and IRR — July 2026. This page summarizes the law; it is not legal advice.
Who must comply
- Individual subscribers buying new SIMs
- Existing subscribers with unregistered or incorrectly registered SIMs
- Foreign nationals using Philippine-issued SIMs
- Legal guardians registering for minors
- Businesses registering SIMs used by employees (with authorized representative)
Travel eSIMs provisioned outside the Philippines may fall outside local registration flows — product terms vary by provider.
What carriers must do
- Verify subscriber identity against valid ID before activation
- Maintain a secure registration database
- Deactivate SIMs that remain unregistered after applicable deadlines and grace periods
- Cooperate with law enforcement under lawful orders — not open public access to your data
- Allow subscribers to update registration details and report lost or stolen SIMs
What happens to your registration data
Carriers store the personal information and ID details you submit during registration. RA 11934 restricts how telcos may use this data — primarily for registration compliance, fraud prevention, and lawful government requests.
They must not sell your registration data to marketers. For a deeper look, read what happens to your data under RA 11934.
This website collects zero IDs, OTPs, or phone numbers. Our tools run client-side only.
Penalties — careful wording
RA 11934 sets penalties for specific wrongdoing, not for every registration typo:
- Providing false or fictitious information or using a fake ID can lead to criminal penalties under the law, including imprisonment and fines as specified in the act
- Selling or transferring pre-registered SIMs intended to hide the real user’s identity violates the law’s purpose and may expose both parties to enforcement action
- Telco employees who leak registration data face separate penalties under the act and the Data Privacy Act
Honest mistakes — a misspelled barangay, blurry photo, wrong middle initial — are typically fixed through updating registration details, not criminal charges. When in doubt, re-register correctly on the official portal.
We summarize penalties for awareness only. Consult a licensed lawyer for legal advice about your situation.
Frequently asked questions
When did RA 11934 take effect?
The law was signed in October 2022. The original mass registration deadline was April 2023. Registration remains ongoing for new SIMs and unregistered lines.
Can the law be repealed?
Only Congress can repeal or amend RA 11934. As of July 2026 it remains in force. We update this page if legislation changes.
Is there a penalty for not registering on time?
Unregistered SIMs may be deactivated until you complete registration. Criminal penalties target fraud and false identity, not every late registration.
How many SIMs can I register under my name?
The law allows multiple SIMs per person with telco-specific limits. See how many SIMs one person can register.
Does RA 11934 apply to eSIM?
Yes for Philippine-issued eSIM profiles that carriers treat as local subscriptions. Travel eSIMs may differ — see eSIM registration guide.
Sources
- Republic Act No. 11934 — Official Gazette
- RA 11934 Implementing Rules and Regulations
- NTC advisories — verified July 2026
Facts last verified: July 2026.