How to Prepare for Your Family's Philippine Passport Renewal Appointment

We're pretty sure you've seen the social media rants how difficult it is to secure an appointment for a Philippine passport even if it's just a renewal. And if you finally secured one, then better make sure you've got everything you need for that precious appoinment schedule. You don't want to run the risk of making an online appointment again. 

Make sure each family member has all these necessary requirements well ahead of time. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re fully prepared on your day of passport renewal. 

Note: The good news is if your child is 7 years old and below, you don't need an appointment. Walk-in applications through the courtesy lane are allowed for this age group together with their parent/s and minor siblings. However, according to a recent editorial staff's experience, some branches of the Department of Foreign Affairs may impose a limit to the number of walk-ins. You may want to get there early. 

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Part I: Requirements for e-passport renewal

IMAGE From the FDA via Inquirer.net
Bring the following requirements for the renewal of an e-passport. The mark of an e-passport is the icon at the botttom of the word "pasaporte" (see photo above far right). If you still have a Machine Readable Passport (or older), your renewal will be treated as a new application that may call for additional requirements.

A. For adult applicants

1. Confirmed online appointment
After scheduling the date and time of your online appointment at passport.gov.ph, wait for the confirmation letter to be sent to the email address you provided. Follow the set of instructions so your schedule will be booked. Many people forget about this email. You forfeit your appointment when you fail to click the link in the confirmation letter. Print out a copy of your confirmed appointment. 

2. Accomplished application form
You can download a blank form to print and fill out here.

3. Current passport 

4. A photocopy of the data page (first page) and last page of the current passport

5. At least one (1) valid ID
Acceptable IDs include driver's license, SSS/GSIS/Unified Multipurpose Identification (UMID) card, voter's ID, professional regulatory commission (PRC) ID, and more. See the full list here.

6. A photocopy of the valid ID

Additional requirements will be needed in certain situations which include:

• if the passport is lost/damaged
• if you’re a dual citizen
• if you're a married woman who would like to use your married surname
• if you're a married woman who would like to revert to your maiden name 
• if you're a spouse of a foreign national who would like to use your married surname

See the full list of situations which will require additional requirements for adult applicants here.   

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B. For minor applicants

Note: minor applicants must be accompanied by a parent or authorized adult companion (who will need additional requirements) on their scheduled appointment

1. Confirmed online appointment (if applicable)
Children 7 years old and below can have a walk-in application and do not need a scheduled appointment date. They are entitled to avail of the courtesy lane together with their parent/s and minor siblings, according to the DFA. 

2. Accomplished application form
You can download a blank form to print and fill out here.

3. Birth certificate 
This must be printed on security paper (SECPA) and issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly NSO).

To clarify, according to PSA, birth certificates do not have an expiry date. However, the DFA and embassies of other countries (say, if you're applying for a visa) may require its applicants to submit birth certificates with certain restrictions. For example, the DFA requires a submitted birth certificate printed on SECPA. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines requires that the submitted birth certificate is issued within one year of application.

4. Current passport

5. A photocopy of the data page (first page) and last page of the current passport

Additional requirements will be needed in certain situations which include:

• if the passport is lost/damaged
• if the child has no PSA Birth Certificate
• if the child is not accompanied by a parent during the application process
• if the child is not traveling with a parent
• if the child is an illegitimate child
• if the child is undergoing or has undergone the process of domestic adoption

See the full list of situations which will require additional requirements for minor applicants here. 

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Part II: On your scheduled appointment date
Bring all the requirements on your appointment date and remember these other important reminders:

1. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. 

2. You will need cash for the passport processing fee. Rates, as of writing, are as follows:

• P950 - your passport will be released within 15 working days
• P1,200 - your passport will be released within 7 working days
• Optional delivery fee - if you want your passports delivered to your home instead of having to go back to the DFA office for claiming

*number of processing days may vary depending on the location of the Regional Consular Office where the application was filed

3. Dress appropriately. Plunging necklines, sleeveless clothings, spaghetti strapped tops, see-through tops, sando, tube tops, halters and the like are prohibited. 

4. Passports unclaimed after six (6) months will be canceled. 

5. Renew your family's passports at least six (6) months before their expiry date. Most countries require travelers to have passports that are valid for at least six months beyond the date you leave their country.

Happy travels!

This story was updated on January 30, 2018, at 11:25 p.m. 

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