The PH Archipelago

It has been months ever since the country has gone on a lockdown. People have been mandated to stay in their houses. No one was allowed to go out. Public transportation was unavailable. Flights have been cancelled. It has been months and recently, we have been hearing about flying being possible again.

And so, if you finally want to fly, but you still don’t have a passport in hand, then what are you doing? A passport is more than just a booklet. Issued by a country’s government, it is also a travel document that verifies the identity as well as the nationality of the holder for the purpose of international travel.

That being said, if you are an adult — 18 yearsold and above — and are planning to fly out of the country soon or maybe next year when hopefully everything has calmed down, then you better ready your requirements as you are to apply for a Philippine Passport.

Core Requirements for Adult New Applications

1. Confirmed Online Appointment — Click here to be redirected to Department of Foreign Affairs’s (DFA) Passport Appointment System
2. Personal Appearance
3. Accomplished Application Form — Click here for a Blank Passport Application Form
4. Original and photocopy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Authenticated Birth Certificate on Security Paper
   • Married Females (who are using their spouse’s last name) must also present Original and submit photocopy of PSA Authenticated Marriage Contract on Security Paper or Report of Marriage
   • Local Civil Registrar Copy is required if PSA Birth Certificate is not clear or cannot be read
5. Any of the following acceptable IDs with one (1) photocopy — Click here to list of acceptable IDS

NOTE: If the woman opts to retain maiden name, a Marriage Contract is not required.

In addition to the core requirements, supporting documents will be further required in some circumstances. Click here to find out more.

Steps for Passport Application with ePayment

Step 1. Visit DFA’s Passport Appointment System and schedule an appointment

• Make sure to read all the reminders thoroughly before agreeing to the Terms & Conditions of the online appointment system.
• Choose a DFA Consular Office where you prefer to apply for your passport.
• Carefully review all the ddetails of your application before clicking the Submit button.
• Choose your desired passport processing type (expedited Php 1200 | regular processing Php 950) before clicking the Proceed to Payment Button.
• Be sure to check your email after as you will receive your reference number which you should take note of.

Step 2. Pay your passport processing fee at any of DFA’s authorized Payment Centers

• Present your reference number at the Payment Center upon payment of the passport processing fee.
• You will then be issued a receipt which you should sakefeep.
• Do take note that one reference number corresponds to only one transaction, so if you are paying for multiple reference numbers, you need to pay separately for each reference number.

*Payment Centers include Bayad Center, EcPay, Pera Hub, Robinsons Business Center and Department Stories, Waltermart Department Store, 7-Eleven, USCC (Western Union), Villarica Pawnshop

Step 3. After paying your passport processing fee, print out the confirmed appointment packet that will be emailed to you

Your printed passport appointment packet contains:

• Checklist with your indicated schedule
• Application form with the bar code, appointment reference number, and e-receipt number
• Two (2) copies of the e-receipt

Step 4. Personal Appearance

Personally show up at the DFA Consular Office on the date and time indicated in your appointment. Be at the site not earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment and make sure to be bringing the following:

• Printed Copy of your confirmed passport appointment packet
• Other required documents and IDs alongside their photocopies

Step 5. Present your passport appointment packet to a verification officer

This is to confirm that you have showed up on the correct date and time of your appointment.

Step 6. Submit your requirements at the Passport Processing Section

These requirements are:

• Confirmed passport appointment packet
• Duly accomplished application form
• Core and supporting documents, together with their photocopies

Step 7. Proceed to the Passport Encoding Section

This is where you will have your passport photo, signature, and biometric data taken. Be reminded that smiling is allowed, but the teeth should not be exposed.

Step 8. Obtaining your Passport

You may pick up your passport at the Consular Office where you applied or you may have it delivered. Additional days may be needed for passports delivered via Courier Service.

If you have more questions, you can go to DFA’s Website.

*Featured Photo by The Sulit Blog