What To Do, What To Bring, Where To Go: Here's Your Ultimate Guide To Passport Application And Renewal

Sparks fly with all these seat sales lately and people are slowly growing more confident to travel. Theme parks outside the country which closed during the pandemic have eventually regained their popularity again. It's probably nice to get packing and bring the family outside the country to enjoy some time together.

Problem is, either the passport has expired or about to expire, or maybe an added member to the family needs a new one or you're supposed to get one but lockdown ensued, and until now you haven't had the chance to apply for one.

Don't worry moms and dads, we've outlined what you need to do, what to bring, and where to go for your passport application/renewal.

The basics: What you need to know before applying for a Philippine Passport

2. Secure passports first before booking flights. 

3. Be on site not earlier than 30 minutes based on scheduled appointment. 

4. Do not deal with fixers.

5. Make sure all original and photocopies of required documents for passport application are ready. 

6. “No Escort” policy applies. Escorts will be prohibited from entering DFA consular premises. 

7. Remove earrings, necklaces, and colored contact lenses prior to photo capture. 

General requirements: frst-time application and renewal

First time application (adult) 

1. Confirmed online appointment with accomplished application form 

2. Original and photocopy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Authenticated Birth Certificate on Security Paper (plus Local Civil Registrar Copy if PSA Birth Certificate is not clear/not readable)

3. Acceptable Valid Government ID with one photocopy

4. Additional requirements that may be required on a case-to-case basis: For married women: Original and photocopy of PSA Marriage Certificate. NOTE: If a woman opts to retain maiden name, a Marriage Certificate is not required but additional documents may be asked. 

5. For applicants with dual citizenship, applicants without birth certificate, applicant who obtained Filipino citizenship by election or Act of Legislation or other applicants who were registered late, check the website for additional information and requirements.

6. Personal appearance

Renewal ePassport (Adult)

1. Confirmed online appointment 

2. Accomplished application form

3. Personal appearance

4. Current ePassport with photocopy of data page

Original PSA authenticated documents if there's name change.

• a. Marriage contract
• b. Annotated birth certificate
• c. Annotated marriage contract to show annulment/divorce/court ordered instruction
• d. Death Certificate of Spouse

NOTE: If woman opts to retain maiden name, a marriage contract is not required. For lost valid ePassport, lost expired ePassport, frequently lost passport and mutilated/damaged passport, visit this.

Read Also: 6 Tipid Travel Tips And Packing Hacks You Should Know Before Flying

First time application (minor applicants)

1. Confirmed online appointment

 2. Accomplished application form

3. Personal appearance of minor applicant and either parent or authorized adult companion

4. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate or Local Civil Registrar Copy may be required if PSA Birth Certificate is not clear

5. Marriage certificate is required if only one parent is accompanying the child.  If parents are unmarried, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the mother will be required if she is not accompanying the child. 

6. Passport or Valid Government issued ID of either parent with one (1) photocopy

7. School ID (if applicable)

For newborns without PSA Birth Certificate yet, minor is not traveling with parents, minor is an illegitimate child, or if the minor has undergone the process of domestic adoptions, check additional requirements here.

Renewal (minor applicants)

1. Confirmed online appointment 

2. Accomplished application form

3. Personal appearance of minor applicant and either parent or authorized adult companion

4. Current ePassport with photocopy of data page

5. Marriage certificate is required if only one parent is accompanying the child. If parents are unmarried, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the Mother will be required if she is not accompanying the child.

6. Original and photocopy of proof of filiation and/or guardianship

7. Passport or valid government issued ID of either parent with one (1) photocopy

For other supporting documents and requirements, do check  here.

Courtesy lane: Are all minors (below 18) eligible?

Minors aged seven (7) years and below are eligible to use the courtesy lane at DFA Aseana. Processing of applications starts at 1 PM but the line for checking qualified applicants starts in the morning. A minor applicant must be accompanied by his/her parent/s, legal guardian or authorized representative. The adult companion may also be an applicant. 

DFA Aseana has a cap of 300 applicants for qualified and fully vaccinated walk-in applicants. Minors will follow vaccination status of parents/guardian. 

Who else are eligible for courtesy lane? 

Aside from minors aged 7 and below, DFA-Office of Consular Affairs writes that the following may avail of the courtesy lane facility:

Senior citizens

A senior citizen applicant may be accompanied by one (1) adult. The adult companion may also avail of Courtesy Lane privileges, provided they are the senior citizen applicant’s immediate family member or traveling companion who must present proof of relationship to the senior citizen applicant (e.g., birth certificate).

A traveling companion must present proof of travel with the senior citizen (e.g., confirmed flight or hotel booking) and must also state the reason or justification for travelling (e.g., the travelling companion is a medical escort or nurse).

Persons with disability (PWDs)

A PWD applicant must present a valid PWD Identification Card. A PWD applicant may be accompanied by one (1) adult. The adult companion may also avail of Courtesy Lane privileges, provided they are the PWD applicant’s immediate family member or traveling companion and must present proof of relationship to the PWD applicant.

A traveling companion must present proof of travel with the PWD applicant (e.g., confirmed flight or hotel booking) and must also state the reason or justification for travelling (e.g., the travelling companion is a medical escort or nurse).

Pregnant applicants

A pregnant applicant must present medical certificate/records as proof of pregnancy.

Solo parents

A solo parent applicant must present a valid Solo Parent Identification Card.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

An OFW applicant must present proof of their OFW status.

Exceptional and emergency cases

How to schedule an appointment for passport application or renewal?

Here are the steps to schedule an appointment:

1. Scheduling of appointment must be done online.

2. Read and review the Terms and Conditions. Scroll all the way to bottom and mark the checkbox if you have understood and would like to accept the information.

3. Choose whether you are applying for Individual Appointment or Group Appointment. Click either START INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT or START GROUP APPOINTMENT.

4. Choose the location, date and time preferred, according to availability, for your appointment. For Group appointments, you will be asked to key in how many applicants you are setting an appointment for. 

You will have to supply the following:

• Personal information
• Family information
• Application information
• Contact information
• Group contact information

6. After completing the form, you will receive an email confirmation with your reference number and payment instructions. Once payment is made and application is confirmed, show up for your scheduled appointment with required documents. 

Passport Fees

Regular – Php 950

Expedite – Php 1,200

Penalty for Lost/Mutilated Passport – Php 350

Passport is expected to be released twelve (12) working days after being accommodated for processing. Expedite processing has a period of six (6) working days for NCR applicants and seven (7) working days for applicants outside the NCR. Note that the delivery fee is not included and varies according to location. A convenience fee may also be charged for online payments. 

Where's the nearest satellite office?

• DFA Manila -Aseana
• DFA NCR Central – Robinsons Galleria
• DFA NCR East – SM Megamall
• DFA NCR North – Robinsons Novaliches
• DFA NCR Northeast – Ali Mall
• DFA NCR South – Metro ATC
• DFA NCR West – SM City Manila

Temporary off-site service locations:

• Robinsons Las Piñas
• Robinsons Magnolia
• SM Masinag
• SM Mall of Asia
• SM North Edsa
• SM City Sucat

Information are obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs website. Kindly visit the site for updates and additional information. For passport, authentication, and other Consular inquiries, please call (02)8651 - 9400.

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