How to Apply for a Passport in the Philippines

May 1, 2011 by Victorino Abrugar at Law & Government

How to apply and get a passport in the Philippines? If you are attending a business meeting, participating seminars or having a relaxing vacation to any of the ASEAN member nations (e.g., Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia, Thailand), you must have a passport. A Philippine passport is a travel document issued to Filipino citizens, aging from zero (0) year old and onwards. It also serves as a Primary National Identification which you can use as a proof of identity for any kind of transactions. In applying for a passport, Filipinos can now enjoy the convenience of making an appointment with the DFA. Setting an appointment with the DFA is a free service provided for the convenience of the Filipino people. The following are the requirements, steps and other important information you should know in getting your passport in the Philippines.

Documentary Requirements
The following are the documentary requirements you should comply to be able to apply a passport in the Philippines through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular services. The requirements may be different for (a) first-time applicants, (b) passport renewal, and (c) lost passports. A. Requirements for first time-applicants Basic requirements: 1. Duly accomplished application form. Click here to download an ePassport Application form online. 2. Photos of yourself. DFA is very strict in accepting the photos in your application. Click here to view the DFA guidelines on photo capturing. You can have your photo taken at the DFA approved photo studio located just beside their office to ensure that your photo will have no error and will become acceptable. 3. Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO. If you still dont have a NSO authenticated BC and you dont want to fall online at the NSO office, you may call (02) 737-1111 or visit http://nso.citizenservices.com.ph/ for the delivery service of your NSO Birth Certificate. They also provide processing and delivery of other government documents, such as marriage contract and certificates of no marriage (CENOMAR). 4. Proof of identity / Original ID i.e. Senior Citizens ID, Voters ID, digitized government-issued IDs like SSS, PRC, BIR, Drivers License, original school ID (for students only) AND original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship. 5. Other Supporting documents. Please bring the following if they are available. a. Marriage Contract b. Land Title c. Drivers License d. Government Service Record e. School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with dry seal f. Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship g. Voters Registration Record from COMELEC Intramuros h. Baptismal Certificate with dry seal i. Seamans Book j. Income Tax Return (Old) k. NBI Clearance

For other documentary requirements, such as for minor applicants, illegitimate children, Muslim applicant whose birth was not registered and Muslim converts, please read the complete list of requirements for new applicant in this link. B. Requirements for Renewal of Passport For the complete list of documentary requirements on the renewal of Passport, please visit this page from the DFA website. C. Requirements for lost Passports For lost passports, please visit this page from the DFA website to see the list of requirements in replacing or renewing your passport.

Steps and procedures

Below are the steps, guidelines and procedures for applying a passport with the DFA Philippines. Step 1. Complete all the necessary original documentary requirements which are applicable to you (see list of requirements above). Step 2. Set a passport appointment by going online through its dedicated website www.passport.com.ph or by calling the DFA Appointment Hotline 737-1000 . For individual appointment follow the link page below: http://passport.com.ph/set-appointment For family appointment, and to help ensure that your appointment dates are all the same, please visit the page below: http://passport.com.ph/family/ When you call the DFA Appointment Hotline (02) 737-1000 , you should expect and be prepared with the following: a. Your call will be received by a Customer Care Officer who will assist you in setting an appointment for your passport application. b. After getting your appointment schedule, you will be asked to provide your personal information for the passport application. c. You will be advised on the applicable requirements you need to bring for your passport application. d. You will receive a reference number relative to your appointment schedule. e. Go to passport.com.ph/print to print your application form using the Print Code given by the Customer Care Officer. When you log in to the DFA Appointment Website www.passport.com.ph , expect and prepare for the following: a. You will be asked to provide your personal information for the passport application on the online application form. Remember to fill in all the information slots correctly. b. Please take note of the requirements that you need to bring to the DFA Consular Office on your appointment date. c. Choose an appointment DATE and TIME. d. Check your email for your reference number and a link to print your application form. You will need to bring the printed application form to the DFA on your appointment. Step 3. Download, print and fill-out the passport application forms completely with the appointment reference numbers. Remember that applicants will not be admitted at the entrance gate without valid appointment and application forms. Step 4. Photocopy all the necessary documents before going to DFA. Remember that applicants will not be processed if they do not have complete set of photocopies of their documents. Step 5. On your appointment date, proceed to the DFA Consular Office located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City (see locator map). You must be at the DFA Consular Office 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Early/Late comers will not be entertained. Step 6. Present your printed application form to the Appointment Counter. Step 7. Get your queue number at the Information Counter and sit on the waiting section of the Processing Area. Wait for your queue number to appear on the monitor indicating what processing window you will go to. Step 8. After processing, proceed to the Passport Enrollment Section located at the 2nd Floor. Pay the applicable passport processing fees (see passport fees below). Passport Fees: Regular Processing: Php 950.00 (25 working days) Rush Processing: Php 1,200.00 (15 working days) An additional fee of Php 200.00 will be charged for processing of Lost Passports if it is still valid. The fees above are updated as of May 1, 2011. For the latest fees, please see DFA list of fee here. Take note that fess may be different in other regional consular offices. Step 9. After payment, proceed to the Encoding Section for data capturing. Step 10. After the Encoding Section, you can have your new passport released and delivered to your home without having to return to the DFA on the release date (optional). If availing of the delivery, proceed to the Delivery Counter to pay for delivery fee. For applying a passport in your region