Thursday, April 2, 2009

Applying for a Philippine Passport


I just came from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to apply for a change of status in my passport (change of status single to married), my son’s passport (passport for minor), my mother’s passport (senior citizens passport), my brother’s passport (new passport) and nanny’s passport (passport renewal).

Here are the things that we have to accomplish when applying for those I have mentioned above:


Change of Status Requirements:

From single to married, this is if you would like to use your spouse last name.

  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of your Marriage Certificate.

  • Print the first and second page of your old passport (the one that has your picture). If you have traveled before, you will also need to print the departure stamp and the arrival stamp and lastly print the last page.

  • if you have applied for a passport under your maidens name and after awhile decided to use your husband last name then you have to provide a reason for not changing your status right after you marriage, you can just write it down in a piece of paper and staple it along with your other documents.

  • 3 Passport picture should be 3.5cm in width and 4.5cm in height, the background color should be royal blue or dark blue, formal attire, ears should be, visible no big earrings and full frontal image, image of the applicants should occupy 70-80% of the photograph. Make sure to attached it to your accomplish passport form. Click the link for more guidelines: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/PHOTO%20GUIDELINES.pdf

  • to be safe you have to be ready with your ID like SSS digitized ID, drivers license and other supporting documents, just incase they ask for it you will have something to present.

Passport requirements for minor:

For 7 years old and below.

Personal appearance is not required.


  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of parents Marriage Certificate.
  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of Birth Certificate.

  • -a printed copy of the mother’s passport: Print the first and second page of the mother’s passport (the one that has the mother’s picture) the departure stamp and the arrival stamp and lastly print the last page.

  • 3 Passport picture should be 3.5cm in width and 4.5cm in height, the background color should be royal blue or dark blue, formal attire, ears should be, visible no big earrings and full frontal image, image of the applicants should occupy 70-80% of the photograph. Make sure to attached it to your accomplish passport form.Click the link for more guidelines: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/PHOTO%20GUIDELINES.pdf

  • Mother’s personal appearance is required no need to bring the kid; if below 7 years old.

  • to be safe the mother have to be ready with your ID like SSS digitized ID, drivers license and other supporting documents, just incase they ask for it you will have something to present.

Senior Citizen Passport Requirements:

Personal appearance is not required.

  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of your Marriage Certificate.

  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of Birth Certificate.

  • Provide a Proper ID with Photo

Ex. Senior Citizen ID, SSS digitized ID, Voters ID, Drivers License and Company IDs

  • 3 Passport picture should be 3.5cm in width and 4.5cm in height, the background color should be royal blue or dark blue, formal attire, ears should be, visible no big earrings and full frontal image, image of the applicants should occupy 70-80% of the photograph. Make sure to attached it to your accomplish passport form.Click the link for more guidelines: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/PHOTO%20GUIDELINES.pdf

  • Make sure to give a written and signed authorization letter to the one processing the application, it would be a lot easier if the representative is a daughter or son.

*** If born before 1950 and has no copy of Birth certificate from the NSO,

  • Provide the Negative Birth Certificate from NSO

  • -provide a Joint Affidavit signed and executed by two disinterested persons who have personal knowledge about the applicant’s name

  • supporting documents with correct date and place of birth

Ex. Baptismal, Voters registration record, service record (for Government Retiree)


New Passport Requirements:

Personal Appearance is required.


  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of your Marriage Certificate.

  • Provide a NSO authenticated copy of Birth Certificate.

  • Provide a Proper ID with Photo

Ex. Senior Citizen's ID, Voter's ID, digitized government-issued IDs like SSS, PRC, BIR, Driver's License, original school ID (for students only) AND original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship (Please refer to the list below)

  • NBI Clearance

  • 3 Passport picture should be 3.5cm in width and 4.5cm in height, the background color should be royal blue or dark blue, formal attire, ears should be, visible no big earrings and full frontal image, image of the applicants should occupy 70-80% of the photograph. Make sure to attached it to your accomplish passport form. Click the link for more guidelines: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/PHOTO%20GUIDELINES.pdf

Passport Renewal Requirements:

Personal Appearance is required.

  • print the first and second page of your old passport (the one that has your picture). If you have traveled before, you will also need to print the departure stamp and the arrival stamp and lastly print the last page.

  • 3 Passport picture should be 3.5cm in width and 4.5cm in height, the background color should be royal blue or dark blue, formal attire, ears should be, visible no big earrings and full frontal image, image of the applicants should occupy 70-80% of the photograph. Make sure to attached it to your accomplish passport form.

Click the link for more guidelines: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/PHOTO%20GUIDELINES.pdf


Things to Remember:

  • Wake up Early be an early bird to avoid all the hassle…the lines are long, I’m not exaggerating.
  • Make sure to accomplish the Application form before going to DFA.
  • Make sure that you have all the necessary requirements
  • If you are processing two or more passport application provide one brown paper for each applicant to avoid confusion and switching of documents.
  • Make sure that all documents needed have a Xerox copy.
  • Make sure all application has thumb marks and signatures.
  • Don’t bring any one to accompany you, they will be asked to leave the premises. Un less of course if you have 2-3 application in your hand.
  • Never talk to anyone outside the DFA gate, never ask for help and don’t offer help. Some will be in uniform asking you if you have your requirements and showing you the way, never ever entertain them, please go directly inside the DFA premises. I even encountered a man in blue uniform asking to get the form from their store right in front of the guard. Good thing the guard looks at me and told me to proceed to the gate.

Things to bring:

  • Money for application fee

750 pesos for expedite, 7 business days processing

500 pesos for regular, 2 weeks processing

  • Paste tube
  • Pen
  • Water and crackers

For more information click on the link below:

http://www.passport.com.ph/app/index/



My Good Riddance to DFA! its over and done...

Thanks for the tiring experience…the lines are really long but it was well organize.

My salute to the employees and guard who makes the lines orderly and fast moving!





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