Our Ultimate Guide to Philippine Passport Application for Families

The gift of travel is not only fun, but it is a great way for the family to bond and for children to learn and explore the world. If you and the kids have plans to jet off to make your first vacation abroad, make sure that each member of your family has his or her own valid passport.

A step-by-step guide on Philippine passport application for adults and children

Avoid Philippine passport application horror stories by keeping in mind these essential reminders outlined by the Office of Consular Affairs. We have all the details from securing your appointment to preparing all the necessary requirements to what you need to prepare on the day you go to claim your passports for a smooth application process.

1. Make an online appointment.

Go to the website passport.gov.ph, then click the button saying ‘Schedule an Appointment’ at the top of the screen. Check the box to confirm that you have read the Terms and Conditions. You will then be given the option to either reserve an individual appointment or a group appointment (if you are applying for two to five people).

Next, fill out all the required data, which includes information about yourself, your family, application, and contact details. You will also be asked to fill in your desired location and date for the appointment. 

Don’t forget to also fill out the application form with all the necessary data. Double-check your answers to make sure everything is accurate. Once you’re done making the appointment online, wait for the confirmation to be sent via email, then print out the application form. You will need to bring the form along with the other requirements during your appointment.

There is no need to make a Philippine passport online appointment for the following:

• Children ages 7 years old and his/her parents and minor siblings
• Solo parent and his/her minor children
• Pregnant women
• Senior citizens and one travel companion
• Person with disability (PWDs) one travel companion
• Overseas Filipino workers (land-based or seafarers)

Those who don't need need an online appointment may proceed to the courtesy lane of your chosen DFA branch. By the way, every DFA branch will likely have its own cut-off time and may limit the number of applicants who could be accommodated in the courtesy lanes. So going early is advisable.

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2. Prepare the necessary requirements

The requirements that need to be prepared for application and for renewal are the same for adults and for minors.

For adult applicants:

• Confirmed online appointment
• Accomplished and printed application form
• Original copy of birth certificate on security paper authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
• Original PSA-authenticated documents to support your change of name (i.e., marriage contract on security paper for married females using their spouse’s last name, annotated birth certificate, annotated marriage certificate that expresses annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction, death dertificate of spouse)
• A valid government-issued ID with one photocopy

Adult applicants for passport renewal also need to bring a photocopy of the data page of their current passports.

Note: For married women who choose not to use their spouse’s last name, a marriage contract will not be required. A local civil registrar copy of PSA-authenticated birth certificate may be required if the latter is unreadable or unclear.

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For minor applicants:

• Confirmed online appointment (for children over 7 years old)
• PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate of the parents (if only one parent is accompanying the child)
• Passport or valid government-issued ID of either parent with 1 photocopy
• School ID (if applicable)

Note: If a child’s parents are unmarried, an affidavit of support and/or consent will be required. If the said form is executed abroad, it needs to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Aside from the requirements stated above, supporting documents may also be required in case of special situations, such as if the applicant does not yet have a PSA-authenticated birth certificate, if a child is not accompanied by either parent during his or her appointment, if the applicant is an illegitimate or adopted child, and so on. Learn more about the supporting documents by clicking here.

Here is the list of government IDs accepted by DFA

• Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)/Unified Multi-Purpose Identification Card
• Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License (Note that Student Permits may be accepted if they are in card format)
• Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)/Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) Card
• Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification from the Election Officer with Dry Seal
• Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License
• Senior Citizen ID
• Airman License (only valid if issued from August 2016 onwards)
• School ID (if applicable)
• Current valid ePassport (for those applying for Renewal of ePassport)

Postal ID, TIN ID, and PhilHealth ID are not accepted by DFA.

Note: Applicants who are based abroad may use IDs issued by the governments of their host countries, given that it shows their Philippine citizenship. An example is a residence card.

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3. Go to DFA for your appointment

Personal appearance is a requirement for all applications, so don’t forget to show up for your scheduled appointment. This is especially important for minors who are applying for passports. Be at the venue of your appointment at least 30 minutes before your schedule.

Your passport ID picture will be taken during your appointment, so it is crucial to wear the appropriate clothing. Here are some reminders to keep in mind:

• Make sure to dress appropriately for your appointment. Avoid wearing clothes that have plunging necklines, no sleeves, spaghetti straps, or are see-through, strapless, halters, or similar items.
• Accessories such as earrings and colored contact lenses are also prohibited for passport ID picture taking.
• Eyeglasses need to be taken off for the picture.
• Make sure that no hair is covering your or your child’s eyes, and that both ears are visible.
• Babies who are not yet able to support themselves need to be held by a parent for the picture.
• Smiling is allowed, as long as no teeth is showing.

Note that DFA’s regular office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

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4. Pay the necessary fees

Here are the required passport fees for applications in the Philippines:

New/Renewal

• Regular (Passport to be released after 12 working days): Php950
• Expedite (Passport to be released after 6 working days for NCR applicants or after 7 days for RCO applicants): Php1,200
• Penalty for Lost and Mutilated ePassports: Php350

According to DFA, senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and their minor children, pregnant women, and OFWs have the option to choose from regular or expedited processing of their passport application. BUT their companions will automatically be charged the expedited processing fee because they are not entitled to use the courtesy lane — they are accomodated for their convenience, per the DFA. 

All applications made on Saturdays, whether those entitled to use the courtesy lane facility or those accommodated for their convenience, will also be considered to pay expedited processing fees.

For Philippine passports made abroad, refer to consular fees stated in the websites of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

5. Claim your passport

To claim the passport, go to the consular office or passport capturing site where you filed your application. Make sure to bring your original passport receipt with you. Again, DFA’s regular office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

If you decided to have your passports delivered to your home, make sure to track the status of your delivery by checking the tracking number on your courier claim stub.

Happy travels!

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