As border restrictions ease, more and more people are planning to restart an international trip. However, before booking your trip, you have to check whether your passport meets the entry requirements of your destination, such as enough remaining period of validity and blank pages. If not, you should renew it. In this passage, we are going to explore Philippine passport renewal, including what document is required, how to renew it, how much it costs, how long it takes, etc.
Philippine Passport Renewal Requirements
Here is a list of documents and evidence that should be accomplished before and during application. It is suggested to put them away in an envelope to take to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office, so you won’t miss anything.
- Existing passport and photocopy of the bio information page
DFA began to issue ePassports in 2009 which store biometrics data in an integrated circuit chip or microchip. You will see a chip icon at the bottom of the front cover. e-Passport holders just need to submit the original and photocopy. Non-ePassport holders should also submit an additional valid ID and its photocopy, such as SSS ID, GSIS ID, UMID, Postal ID, driver’s license, PRC ID, citizen ID, PNP firearms license, school ID, residence card, airman license, and voter’s certificate.
- Completed application form
You will fill it out online and download the completed DFA passport renewal form in your email box and print it out. The blank copy is also available here.
- Appointment confirmation
Before visiting the DFA office, applicants must make an appointment first and we will talk about the booking process later. Except for seniors, kids younger than 1 year old, and OFWs, other people should confirm the booking online.
- In-person Attendance
Applicants must go to the DFA office/branch after booking an online appointment for passport renewal at the scheduled time to submit supporting documents and biometrics. If you take photos at the DFA Office, pay attention to the dress code.
Additional Requirements for Name Change
Additional proof of name change is required such as:
- Marriage contract
- Annotated birth certificate
- Court order that indicates annulment or divorce
- Death certificate of the spouse
All documents must be authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Additional Requirements for Minor Applicants
Please note that the minor applicant must appear in the DFA Office accompanied by either a parent, legal guardian or authorized adult. Additional documents are listed as follows.
- Proof of relationship and/or guardianship
It can be a PSA-authenticated birth certificate of the child. Present an original copy and photocopy. Please request a copy from the Local Civil Registrar if it is not readable.
- School ID of the child (if applicable)
- Original and photocopy of a valid government ID of the present parent.
- Marriage certificate, when only one parent is present. When the parents are unmarried, show a signed Special Power of Attorney from the mother if she is absent. The Attorney made abroad must be certified by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
- A Special Power of Attorney from the parent when either parent fails to present, to confirm that someone else is authorized to accompany the child to apply. Valid IDs of the authorizer and the adult companion must be included.
- DSWD Clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent, when the minor is going to travel without the parent’s company.
How to Book a Passport Renewal Appointment
Generally, the application should be made online. In emergency and special cases, you can walk in to renew your Philippine passport. There are so many applications that the slots are quickly filled up. It is recommended to book as early as possible, so there is enough time for preparation.
Here is the instruction to schedule a passport appointment online.
- Go to the DFA Online Passport Appointment System.
- Read the Terms and Conditions carefully and check the box to agree on all statements.
- Choose between an INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT and a GROUP APPOINTMENT.
- Choose a site that is nearest to you. You will see the office name, address, and contact information. Read the Notice and check the box to agree with it. Click on the “Next” button.
- Choose the date and time from the calendar. The green mark means “available” while the red means “Fully Booked”. If there is no suitable slot, try switching sites. Click on the “Next” button.
Besides regular processing sites, there are also Temporary Off-site Passport Service (TOPS) facilities in Metro Manila, but it takes longer time to process your application in these locations. They are:
- Robinsons Las Pinas
- Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City
- SM Aura, Taguig
- SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
- SM North EDSA, Quezon City
Tips for Successful Passport Renewal Appointment
In order to make everything go smoothly, here are some useful tips.
- Keep the network smooth.
- List all preferred dates and times. When your target slot is unavailable, you can quickly change to another one without wasting time checking your schedule again.
- Make a quick decision. As the slot is reserved for only 30 minutes, book your slot as soon as possible. Once you hesitate, the slot might be snatched by another one.
- New slots might become available again when someone else fails. Try refreshing the page to pick it up.
- Check the site regularly to whether the DFA releases more slots.
- Try off-peak hours in early morning and late night, such as 6:00 am – 8:00 am, 12:00 pm or 9:00 pm.
- Try searching as many DFA branches/offices as possible and avoiding busy sites.
How to Apply for Philippine Passport Renewal
Renewing passports is much easier than first-time applications by following the steps below.
Schedule Passport Appointment
Choose where you will submit the renewal application according to the instructions stated before. A confirmation email will be sent to your email after a successful passport renewal appointment.
Complete the Online Application Form
After obtaining a slot on the appointment page, you will continue to fill out the application form. You will provide personal information (i.e. name, date of birth, phone number, e-mail address, etc), family information (i.e. parents or spouse), application information (i.e. application type, citizenship, emergency contact, etc) and contact information (i.e. addresses and contact of home and office) in 4 separate sections. In this process, make sure what you enter is correct.
Fulfill Payment
DFA passport renewal fees are subject to the processing options. Regular processing costs P950 while express processing costs P1,200. Foreign service posts cost an extra $60. A convenience fee of P50 is required for each person. After choosing between “regular” or “express” processing, click on the “PAY NOW” button and follow the reminders and instructions to pay within 24 hours.
After fulfilling the payment, a payment reference number, transaction receipt, completed application form, and the passport renewal checklist will be sent to your email. You should print out these documents and take them to attend your appointment.
Attend Passport Renewal Appointment
After fulfilling the payment, a payment reference number, transaction receipt, completed application form, and the passport renewal checklist will be sent to your email. You should print out these documents and take them to your appointment along with the supporting documents. You are suggested to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time, or your appointment will be canceled. In the DFA site, the officer will review your renewal application, and gather your biometrics and signature.
Collect Renewed Passport
You will be given a receipt with the date stamp telling you when to claim your passport. You can collect the new passport in person or ask the authority to send it by post. If you choose a mailing service, you will be charged an additional courier fee of P120. If you can’t pick it up in person, you can write and sign an authorization letter to designate an immediate family member to pick it up for you, such as your parents, siblings, spouse or child of legal age. If the authorized person is not an immediate family member, make sure he brings a Special Power of Attorney, original receipt, original copy and photocopy of a valid ID of both the applicant and the representative.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to process my renewal application?
A: It depends on where you apply from. In Manila, regular processing time is 10-15 days, and 5-7 days for express processing.
Q: When can I apply for a DFA passport renewal?
A: The authority requires you to hold a passport with at least 6 months of validity left to travel abroad and it could be renewed up to 1 year in advance.
Q: There are valid visas left on my old passport. Can I still use them after renewal?
A: Yes, just bring the old and new passports while traveling.
Q: Must I renew my passport in the province that I reside in?
A: Yes, as long as you have a confirmed passport renewal appointment, but the processing and delivery times might vary from region to region.
Q: What if I didn’t receive my reference number after setting an appointment?
A: Check your spam or junk mail first. If you still can’t find it, go to the DFA website to see whether you have provided the correct email or call the DFA hotline at (02) 556-0000 or (02) 234 3488.
Q: Can I reserve more than one appointment slot at the same time?
A: No. You are allowed to select one slot only. If you have made an appointment, the system will stop you from booking again.
Q: What if I can’t attend my appointment on time?
A: You should reschedule 3 working days before the appointment or cancel it, otherwise you will be penalized. Click here to learn how you can reschedule or cancel the passport appointment.
Summary
Let’s make a conclusion. DFA passport renewal requires existing passports or other accepted IDs, application forms, appointment confirmations and in-person attendance. In order to successfully make an online appointment for passport renewal, we hope the tips we mentioned could help you. Then, you can complete the online application form and attend the appointment to complete the renewal. Finally, just wait for the new passport and start an exciting outbound journey.
Dolores Xiao