Home › Buyer Guides › Documents You Need to Buy a House in the Philippines (Complete Checklist)
For every buyer
- Two valid government-issued IDs with matching name and signature (passport, driver's license, UMID, PhilSys National ID, PRC ID, etc.)
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
- PSA marriage certificate if married. Your spouse's IDs and signature are usually required too.
- PSA birth certificate (some lenders ask for it)
- Proof of billing or current address
- Recent ID photos (for reservation and loan forms)
- Pag-IBIG MID number and posted contributions, if using Pag-IBIG
Proof of income by employment type
| Employed | Self-employed / business owner | OFW |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Employment with Compensation | DTI or SEC registration and mayor's or business permit | Employment contract or certificate of employment and compensation |
| Latest 3 months of payslips | Latest ITR with audited or in-house financial statements | Latest payslips or remittance records |
| Latest BIR Form 2316 | 6 to 12 months of bank statements | Passport with visa or work permit |
| Bank statements (for bank loans) | List of customers or suppliers (some banks) | Apostilled or consularized Special Power of Attorney |
Freelancers and informal earners: Pag-IBIG may accept alternative proof such as contracts, bank deposits, and certified income statements. Ask the developer's loan processor what applies to you.
Documents you should get from the developer
- DHSUD License to Sell number for your phase
- Official price list and a signed computation sheet
- Reservation agreement and official receipt for the reservation fee
- Contract to Sell (your signed copy)
- Turnover specification sheet and site development plan
- Official receipts for every equity payment, and statements of account
- At the end: Deed of Absolute Sale, loan documents, turnover acceptance, and eventually your title and tax declaration
Documents you should get from a resale seller
- Photocopy of the owner's duplicate title (all pages), then your own fresh certified true copy from the Registry of Deeds
- Latest tax declarations for land and improvements
- Real property tax clearance or latest official receipts
- Seller's and spouse's valid IDs and TINs; PSA marriage certificate
- SPA if someone signs for the owner; extrajudicial settlement and estate tax eCAR if the owner has died
- HOA clearance (no unpaid dues), if the property is in a subdivision
- Lot plan with vicinity map; building permit and occupancy certificate for houses, if available
Keep a permanent property folder
Keep originals in a waterproof folder and scans in cloud storage: every receipt, contract, statement of account, letter, and photo from turnover. These documents protect your Maceda Law rights, your warranty claims, and your title follow-ups, and you will need them again when you sell.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for?
It authorizes someone you trust to sign and process documents on your behalf. It is essential for OFWs. If executed abroad, it must be apostilled, or consularized in non-Apostille countries.
Do both spouses need to sign when buying a house?
Generally yes. Property acquired during marriage is presumed conjugal or community property, so developers and lenders require both spouses' IDs and signatures.
What if I don't have an ITR?
Employees can use BIR Form 2316. Self-employed and informal earners may qualify with Pag-IBIG using alternative proof of income. Banks usually require ITRs, so register and file if you plan to borrow.
Is the PhilSys National ID accepted?
Yes. The PhilSys National ID is a valid government-issued ID. Bring a second ID anyway, as many forms require two.
Related buyer guides
- Pag-IBIG Housing Loan: Requirements, Process, and Tips for First-Time Buyers
- Bank Housing Loan Requirements in the Philippines
- OFW Guide: How to Buy a House in the Philippines While Working Abroad
- How Land Title Transfer Works in the Philippines (Buyer's Plain-English Guide)
Official sources and further reading
Reviewed for accuracy on October 4, 2026. Rates, fees, thresholds, and agency procedures change. Confirm transaction-specific details with the issuing agency, your lender, or a lawyer before you pay or sign.
About the author: Jeremiah Villagomez is a PRC-accredited and DHSUD-accredited Real Estate Salesperson based in San Pablo City, Laguna. He helps first-time buyers, OFWs, and relocating families buy house and lot homes with Pag-IBIG, bank, or cash financing. More about Jeremiah · Call 0976 302 6551
Have a specific situation? Call or text 0976 302 6551 and I will run the numbers for your exact unit, budget, and financing route for free.
