How To Apply for a Philippine Passport

One of the very important requirements if Filipinos want to work abroad is a Philippine passport. Many people apply directly at the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) office while others get the services of a travel agency. Here are some tips on the requirements and steps in securing a passport.

For First-Time Applicants:

* Personal Appearance is required.

* Duly accomplished application form.

* 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.

* Proof of identity / Supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth

and citizenship

* Other Supporting documents.

For some applicants, these requirements may be requested also:

* For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse

* Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

* For married women who would like to revert back to their maiden name

If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;

* If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on annulment and NSO-issued MC with the annotation on the annulment decree;

* If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce secured by foreign spouse authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained.

For Minors (below 18 years old)

* Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is of legitimate status).

*Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of illegitimate status)

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

* Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance

* Affidavit of Support and Consent

If both parents are abroad:

* Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul).

* Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).

* Passport and photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion of the minor.

* Identification Card and photocopy thereof of the duly authorized person.

If you already have a passport, check its expiry as passports need to be renewed six months before its expiry date. This is to avoid the hassle of getting its replacement during increased passport applications and to make sure it is ready already before your departure date. It would be faster if you first get an online appointment through DFA's official website. This will help you avoid the long wait at the DFA office when you go there already. 

DFA processes only 100 biometric passport applications per day. Those who are given priority are those who made an appointment in advance online. The online appointment will give you a specific day and time on when you can go to the office for your schedule. It is necessary to be around when your schedule comes up.

For a more detailed information, you may visit DFA's official website at http://dfa.gov.ph/main/.