Philippine Passport Application and Renewal

Whoever experienced getting a passport back in 90’s and early 20’s will surely agree with me that passport application nowadays is way better. Yesteryears ago, passport application was horrendously time-consuming. You had to squeeze yourself in the pile of body and swim through the ocean of sweat (yeah, I am exaggerating but more or less the scene was like that in DFA Pasay) and bear the devious complexity of the entire process.  Today, there are no more fixers and scalpers outside outside the DFA office since the introduction of the more efficient passport appointment system. Thank goodness!

Satellite offices, where you can apply or renew your passport quickly and more conveniently, can be found in selected Regional Consular Offices in the Philippines, DFA Manila (Aseana), and Satellite Offices within Metro Manila (Ali Mall, SM Manila, SM Megamall, and Alabang Town Center. (Common sense dictates that you have to choose the one near you, unless there’s no more slot available then you can schedule your appointment to the nearest satellite office)

What You Will Need For Online Application Filing and Scheduling

1. A working computer with internet access.
2. A web browser.
3. A valid and working email address to receive system-generated messages with file attachments. (Please be advised that only Gmail and Yahoo accounts are able to receive email confirmation at the moment.)
4. A PDF reader and a working printer to view and print the system-generated the application form in A4-size paper.

NO APPOINTMENT IS NEEDED for the following:

1. Senior citizens with senior citizen ID
2. Person with disability (PWDs) with PWD ID or visible disability
3. Solo parent with a valid solo parent ID
4. Pregnant women with a medical certificate
5. Minors seven (7) years old and below

You may avail of the priority lane at various DFA satellite offices. Just go to your preferred satellite location and the guard will usher you ahead of the others upon your arrival. You can come right in and go to the courtesy lane. Companions can also take advantage of this privilege and apply/renew their passports without having to go through the long queue of applicants. Awesome!

It will take less than 10 minutes before your number will be called. All you have to do is to submit the necessary requirements. After filing, then comes the picture taking. If you are applying Philippine passport for infants/toddlers, you have to wake up your baby as it is required that the baby’s eyes are open and the mouth is closed when they take the passport photo. The person-in-charge will let you check all information once again before printing. After which, you have to line up to pay the processing fee. Rate is Php1, 200 for express (7 working days) and Php950 for regular (15 working days). You can have your passport delivered to your doorstep if you’re too lazy to pick it up yourself. There is an additional fee of Php120 for the courier services.

That’s it! Quick right? Fast and hassle-free!

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS OF PHILIPPINE PASSPORT

1. Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the Philippine Statistics Office or PSA. You can also use the Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar or LCR, and duly authenticated by the PSA. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in PSA Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. If you were born abroad, you can present Report of Birth duly authenticated by the PSA.
2. Personal appearance at a DFA site.
3. Confirmed appointment except for children 1 year old and below.  Secure an appointment through the DFA Philippine Passport Appointment System.

Aside from the abovementioned requirements, below are the additional requirements for:

Requirements for First Time Applicants of Philippine Passport

1. NSO-issued marriage certificate (for married female applicants).
2. Any three (3) of supporting documents below:
   • Voter’s ID
   • Land Title
   • Seaman’s Book
   • Form 137 or Transcript of Records with a readable dry seal
   • Government Service Record
   • NBI Clearance
   • Police Clearance
   • Barangay Clearance
   • Old documents issued at least one year prior to date of application that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant such as the following:
     • SSS – E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS – E1 Form
     • Income Tax Return
     • Voter’s Certification, List of Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, you have to attach the receipt)
     • School Yearbook
     • Community Tax Certificate
3. At least one (1) valid Identification Card
   • Government-issued picture IDs such as the following:
   • Digitized SSS ID
   • Driver’s License
   • GSIS E-card
   • PRC ID
   • IBP ID
   • OWWA ID
   • Digitized BIR ID
   • Senior Citizen’s ID

• Other acceptable picture ID’s such as the following:
  • Old College ID
  • Alumni ID
  • Old Employment IDs
  • Current Employment ID with Employment Certificate

Requirements for Philippine Passport Minor Applicants (18 years old and below)

(Applies to first time application and renewal)

1. Personal appearance of either parent and valid passport of parents (if minor is a legitimate child). Personal appearance and ID documents of the mother or valid passport of the mother (if minor is an illegitimate child).
2. Original Birth Certificate of minor in security paper issued by PSA or Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and duly authenticated by PSA. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in PSA Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. Report of Birth duly authenticated by PSA is required if minor was born abroad.
3. Document of identity with photo, if minor is 8-17 years old (for first time and renewal applicant) such as School ID or Form 137 with a readable dry seal.
4. For minor applicants who never attended school, a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation executed by either parent (if minor is a legitimate child) / by mother (if minor is an illegitimate child) detailing the reasons why the child is not in school, is required.
5. Marriage Certificate of minor’s parents duly authenticated by PSA (for legitimate child)
6. Original and photocopy of a valid passport of the person traveling with the minor.

Requirements for Philippine Passport Renewal

1. Original passport
2. Photocopy of the date page and back page of the passport
3. At least two (2) valid identification cards

Application Requirements for Lost Philippine Passport

1. All basic requirements for a first-time application
2. Affidavit of loss
3. Police Report
4. Clearing period of fifteen (15) working days
5. Penalty Charge of Php350 

Please be informed that passport appointment is FREE OF CHARGE and the DFA discourages applicants from securing online appointment through fixers. Please be warned that dealing with fixers is at your own risk and expense.

Please check DFA website for more information.

Thank you for dropping by!

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