Upgrading a digital wallet account can sometimes mean stopping midway to look for a valid ID, take a clear photo and upload it.
Maya is changing that process for eligible users through ID-less verification, allowing them to upgrade their account without photographing or uploading a physical ID.
Instead, users can begin by providing information they already know, such as their name and birthday. Maya then checks those details against National ID records through National ID eVerify, the identity-verification service of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
For users who have their National ID number available, that can also be used as part of the verification process.
How does Maya's ID-less verification work?
The new process combines National ID verification with a video selfie and additional identity checks.
Here is what eligible users can expect when upgrading their Maya account.
1. Enter your name and birthday
Instead of immediately taking a photo of a physical ID, eligible users can provide their name and birthday when prompted.
Maya checks the information against records through National ID eVerify.
Users who know their National ID number can use that information instead.
If the details are successfully verified, there is no need to photograph or upload a physical ID.
2. Take a video selfie
The next step is a video selfie.
The selfie works alongside the National ID verification as part of Maya's identity-checking process.
This means the new experience is not simply an ID-free sign-up. Identity verification still takes place, but the physical document does not have to be photographed and submitted when the National ID check is successful.
3. Provide only additional information when needed
Once Maya has verified information through the available identity checks, users will only be asked to provide additional details when necessary.
The aim is to reduce repetitive data entry by using information that can already be verified through the National ID system.
What if the National ID verification does not work?
Not every verification attempt will necessarily be completed through National ID eVerify.
If Maya cannot verify the information through the National ID system, eligible users can continue with the regular ID-upload process.
Importantly, Maya says users do not have to start the account-upgrade process from the beginning.
This provides an alternative for cases where the information provided cannot be matched or verified through the National ID records.
Is an ID-less account upgrade still secure?
Not having to upload a physical ID does not mean that identity checks have been removed.
Maya says it continues to conduct applicable identity verification, screening and other regulatory checks as part of the process.
The company also uses AI and automation for routine verification tasks, while cases requiring closer examination may be referred for human review.
This distinction is important because "ID-less" refers to the document submission step, not the absence of identity verification.
Why does this matter to digital wallet users?
For many Filipinos, digital financial services are accessed primarily through smartphones. Small points of friction, such as finding a valid ID, taking a readable photo and completing several fields, can make a difference in how quickly a user completes an account upgrade.
Using the National ID system as an additional verification source can reduce some of those steps.
It also reflects a broader move toward digital identity infrastructure in financial services. Instead of repeatedly asking customers to provide the same information and documents, financial platforms can use authorized identity-verification systems to confirm information during specific transactions or services.
The experience still depends on eligibility, successful verification and the information available in the relevant records.
What do you need to upgrade your Maya account?
For eligible users using the new ID-less verification process, Maya says you can start with:
- Your name and birthday
- Your National ID number, if available
- A video selfie
- Additional information if Maya determines that it is needed
If National ID verification is unsuccessful, the regular physical ID-upload process remains available.
For users who are eligible for the feature, that means upgrading a Maya account may no longer require an ID to be photographed and uploaded.
The change is a small but practical example of how digital identity systems can simplify financial services without removing the verification and compliance steps that protect the process.
Important note
The ID-less verification feature is available only to eligible Maya users. Verification requirements and the steps presented in the app may vary depending on the user's account and circumstances.
For the latest information, users can check Maya's official channels and the Help Center within the Maya app.