DFA Appointment: Your Definitive Guide To Philippine Passport Application

A passport is an official travel document issued to individuals to serve as an identification document when traveling abroad. It is where an individual’s travels in and out of a country are stamped and recorded. Every time you travel or even just apply for a visa to travel, it is the first document that you need to present to immigration officials or consulates.

Whether it’s your first time applying for a passport or you’re just renewing your old passport, it’s now so much easier because of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) online passport application process.

The Philippine passport currently has a five-year validity period. However, effective January 1, 2018, under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10928, the Philippine passport will have an extended validity of up to ten (10) years.

The first step of online passport application it to schedule your passport appointment. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply for a DFA passport appointment. The list includes DFA passport application for new applicants, as well as DFA passport renewal in the Philippines. It also lists all of the DFA passport requirements.

(Read: UK Visa: Complete Guide To A Successful Application For Philippine Passport Holders)

Passport Application

If you’re one of the following individuals, you do not need to set a DFA passport appointment. Instead, you may avail of the Priority Lane and ask for assistance at the DFA office near you.

• Senior Citizen with Senior Citizen ID
• Person with Disability (PWDs) with PWD ID or visible disability
• Solo Parent with Valid Solo Parent ID
• Pregnant women with medical certificate
• Minors seven (7) years old and below

Currently, DFA advises that only Yahoo! and Gmail e-mail addresses are able to receive a system-generated confirmation e-mail for the online passport application. If you haven’t received a confirmation e-mail after setting the passport appointment, check your Spam or Junk folder.

DFA suggests using Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox to set an appointment online. The process works on a first come, first served basis, so it’s better to set a schedule earlier in the day to avoid long queues at the DFA office.

Multiple appointments are not allowed. If you must place another appointment, note that previous appointments you’ve set will be canceled automatically by the DFA system.

First-timers

1. Set an appointment through https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment

2. Choose the DFA office in your city or one of the satellite offices near you. The main DFA Consular Office is located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City 1700.

3. Make sure you enter the correct information on the online application form. DFA firmly reminds applicants that any error on the application form may cause delay, refusal, or even cancellation of your passport application.

4. Personal appearance is required, and bringing a chaperone is not allowed for adults (aged 18 and above).

General Document Requirements for adults:

• Completely filled out online application form
• National Statistics Office (NSO) copy or Certified True Copy (CTC) of your Birth Certificate
• Valid Government IDs with photo
• If born abroad, submit a Report of Birth duly authenticated by PSA

Specific Requirements for cases such as No Birth Record, Dual Citizenship, and Naturalized Citizens are available on the DFA website.

General Document Requirements for Minors:

Children one (1) year old and below do not need to set a confirmed appointment. All Minors – applicants below eighteen (18) years old, must set a confirmed appointment and come to the DFA office along with either parent. Bring the following documents:

• Original and photocopy of Parents’ valid passports, and valid government IDs
• Minor’s Original Birth Certificate issued by PSA, or Certified True Copy (CTC) from the Local Civil Registrar and authenticated by PSA. If Minor was born abroad, submit a Report of Birth authenticated by PSA
• For minors eight (8) to seventeen (17) years old, bring photo-bearing document of Document of identity, e.g. School ID or Form 137 with readable dry seal.
• For minor applicants who never went to school, submit a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation executed by either parent (applies to legitimate children), or by the mother if the child is illegitimate, which details the reasons why the child is not in school.
• For legitimate children, submit parents’ Marriage Certificate duly authenticated by PSA

Additional requirements:

• When entries are blurred or unreadable, DFA advises submitting the minor’s transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR.

• Specific requirements for special cases such as Minors traveling alone, Minors not traveling with either parent, Parents of Minors located abroad, Legally Adopted, No Birth Record, Dual Citizenship, and Naturalized Citizens are available on the DFA website.

Renewal of Passport

Individuals traveling out of the country must have at least six months’ validity on their passports. This means that if you’re traveling within the six-month validity period, your passport should already be renewed. Here’s how:

1. Set an appointment through their website.

2. Choose the DFA office in your city or satellite offices near you. The main DFA Consular Office is located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City 1700.

3. Make sure you enter the correct information on the online application form. DFA firmly reminds applicants that any error on the application form may cause some delay, refusal, or even cancellation of your passport application.

4. Personal appearance is required, and bringing a chaperone is not allowed for adults (aged 18 and above).

(Read: Unlock The Hidden Potential Of Your New Philippine e-Passport)

What to expect:

During the application process, observe the proper dress code. No shorts, spaghetti straps, sando, tube, sandals, or flipflops. Colored contact lenses are not allowed during passport photo capture.

Bring your complete documents, and get a priority number upon arrival at the DFA office.

Remember to remove your earrings and follow the no-smiling rule upon photo taking.

Passport releasing

Regular passport applicants will get their new or renewed passports after twenty (20) work days from the date of personal appearance and payment.

For your convenience, you may opt to pay for the courier/delivery fee after your passport processing, so your new passport is delivered either in your office or home address.

Sources: DFA, Passport.com