Losing a passport can be a total headache for anyone. Regardless of the validity of the passport, you need to set about replacing it, or you are facing the risk of exposing some of your most important personal information. To help you cope with the loss of your passport, we will walk you through the process of replacing it step by step.
What to Do If You Lost a Passport?
Although losing a passport should be taken seriously, the first thing you do is to stay calm because there will be a solution to the problem. Here are some suggestions when you can not find your passport:
- Look for it thoroughly
Think about the last time you see it and do your best to locate it. Sometimes when you are in a panic, you miss the small things in a room. It can be right where you leave it.
- Make a report at a police station
If you are certain it is gone and you are in the Philippines, report the loss to the police immediately. This has to be done as soon as possible so that your lost passport does not fall into the wrong hands and cause you other losses.
- Report the loss to the Philippine Embassy (if you are abroad)
In case you lost a passport abroad, you should report the loss at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. They process Philippine passports and will send your application to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) in Manila, but please notice that there will be a clearing period of 15 days before they start the process.
- Apply for a new passport
After you file the report for a lost passport, make sure you understand the requirements and process for getting a new one. Applying for a new passport is your top priority.
DFA Lost Passport Requirements in 2024
As you may know, the DFA deals with passport-relevant issues in the Philippines. Replacing a lost passport should not be difficult if you meet all the requirements of the DFA. Here is a list of requirements for a lost passport in the Philippines:
- Online appointment
Make an online appointment on the official DFA website.
- Personal appearance
The application must be done by the passport holder in person. It is not acceptable if you ask someone else to go to the DFA office instead, not even a close family member.
- Completed application form
Fill out an application form with your personal information as required.
- Photocopies of the lost passport (if you have)
If you happen to have photocopies of the lost passport, you can bring 2 of them with you when you apply.
- Police report in English
You need to get a police report from the police station in which you report the loss. The report needs to be in English.
- Notarized Affidavit of Loss
Get an Affidavit of Loss from a lawyer’s office or the Public Attorney’s Office. The affidavit has to be notarized.
- PSA Birth Certificate
Prepare your Birth Certificate authenticated by the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority).
- PSA Marriage Certificate (if you are a married female)
For married females, your PSA-authenticated Marriage Certificate is required.
- Any of the following valid IDs
- Philippine ID
- SSS (Social Security System) Card
- GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) Card
- UMID (Unified Multi-purpose Identification) Card
- LTO (Land Transportation Office) Driver’s License
- PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) ID
- OWWA (Oversea Workers Welfare Administration) E-card
- COMELEC (Commission on Elections) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC main office in Intramuros, Manila.
- PNP (Philippine National Police) Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
- Senior Citizen ID
- Airman License (issued after August 2016)
- Philippine Postal ID (issued after November 2016)
- SRB (Seafarer’s Record Book) or SID (Seafarer’s Identity Document) issued by the MARINA (issued after February 2020)
- School ID (if applicable)
Both original and photocopy of the above documents are required.
How to Apply for a Lost Passport
Whether your lost passport is still valid or expired, lost passport renewal will be treated as a new application. Here’s the step-by-step guide for how to apply for a lost passport:
✅ Step 1: Schedule a DFA Appointment for a Lost Passport
- Visit the DFA homepage. Then click “Schedule an Appointment” and “Start Individual Appointment”.
- Next, fill in the detailed information required in the blankets including site location, date and time, personal information, family information, application information and contact information.
- After you provide all the information, click the “Confirm” button.
- You will receive an e-mail providing you with an appointment code and appointment schedule. Click the blue highlighted word “here” and you will go to a new web page.
- Put in your DFA appointment code and e-mail address on this page.
- Then, download an application form and make the payment.
- At last, you will receive a DFA e-mail again. Print out all the files including your appointment schedule, application form, appointment reference number, and e-receipt. Once it is done, your online appointment is secured.
✅ Step 2: Prepare Necessary Documents
When you gather necessary documents, remember both the original and photocopy are needed. Please refer to the list of lost passport requirements above.
✅ Step 3: Visit the Selected DFA Branch
Bring all your forms and documents required to the DFA branch that you choose on the appointment date.
✅ Step 4: Collect the New Passport
You can pick up your new passport at the DFA office where you apply or have it delivered to your address. The processing time may vary depending on different offices and whether you pay for regular or expedited service. Generally, it ranges from 7 to 20 working days, and up to 60 days if you file your application overseas.
How to Get an Affidavit of Loss Passport
The Affidavit of Loss is one of the necessary documents required for renewing a lost passport. Follow these steps to get one:
- Write the basic content.
You can download an Affidavit online or write one by yourself based on a sample. Check out this link for a sample.
- Fill out the crucial information.
After you fill out the essential parts and sign the Affidavit of Loss, you should print at least 3 copies of the documents. One for the notary public, one for the DFA office, and one goes to your file.
- Notarized the document.
Finally, go to the notary public with your valid ID to have it notarized.
How much is the fee for a lost passport in the Philippines?
There is a penalty for a lost passport and the renewal fees are listed as following:
- Regular process with 12 working days – PHP 950.00
- Expedited process with 7 working days – PHP 1200.00
- Penalty for lost passport – PHP 350.00
These are rates for applications filed in the Philippines. If you file overseas, the cost may vary.
Bonus Tips on Securing Your New Passport
When you finally go through the process of getting a new passport, it is best you take care of it with great caution this time. Here are some tips:
- Save digital photos of your passport and its data pages. This is important and useful when you can not find it.
- Keep it in a passport holder. Whether you keep it at home or bring it with you outside, it is always better to put your passport in a holder than to just leave it in your bag or pocket.
- Store it in a fixed place along with other important personal documents such as IDs and bank cards. Whenever you need it, you go to the one drawer that stores all your documents.
- Always keep it in a closed pocket when you travel or take it with you to public places. A zipped bag prevents it from dropping out randomly.
- Be well aware of pick-pockets and strangers when you are traveling.
- Check and save the contact number of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate at the destination before you travel to any country. Contact them immediately if you lost your passport abroad.
FAQ
📌 Can I apply for new passport instead of lost passport?
Renewing a lost valid passport will be treated as a new application. The application requirements are similar to the ones when you apply for the first time.
📌 Can I finish the lost passport application online?
No. You can make the appointment online, but you have to go to the DFA office in person to finish the application.
📌 Can I travel if I lost my passport?
No, if you want to travel internationally. Once your passport is reported lost, it is invalid.
Conclusion
Although losing your passport is extremely inconvenient and concerning, especially when you are traveling, there is no need to panic when it happens. In this article, we have outlined the requirements and process of replacing a lost passport in the Philippines. Keep these tips in mind and follow the steps, you will handle the situation smoothly.
Dolores Xiao