The new year may bring the need for you to apply for a passport – whether it’s a new one, up for renewal, or regrettably, lost. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued reminders of updated and applicable requirements for the Philippine passport this 2020.
If you already have plans to travel, still just considering going overseas, or in need of an official government identification – here are reminders from the DFA about acquiring a Philippine passport:
REQUIREMENTS
This infographic lists the requirements for a passport that you should bring to the DFA.
APPOINTMENT
Scheduling an appointment is no longer a problem since the DFA opens at least 10,000 passport appointment slots daily.
Just check the passport appointment website for new schedules daily at 12:00 noon and 9:00 in the evening.
APPLICATION
Make sure you use the application form that suits your status: applying for the first time, renewing an expired passport, or replacing a lost passport.
PAYMENT
After scheduling a passport appointment you must make sure to show up on schedule with your complete requirements. If you fail to show up, the ePayment fee is non-refundable.
Wear appropriate attire for your passport photo.
ID
Not sure which IDs you can present for your passport application? Here is the list of the accepted IDs for passport applications. Note that starting August 2019, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) Postal ID will be accepted as one of the government-issued IDs that can be used as part of the requirements for passport applications. Valid Postal IDs are those that were issued starting November 2016.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Applying for the renewal of passports is now easier since the submission of birth certificates is no longer required for passport renewals.
Under DFA Department Order No. 03-2019, birth certificates are no longer required for regular renewals, except for applications for lost and mutilated passports, those requiring changes in the passport entries, old brown and green passports bearing no complete middle names, and applicants included in the Department’s Watchlist.
COURTESY LANE
DFA Consular Offices have a courtesy lane for OFWs, senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, solo parents, and minors (7 years old and below).
Those who belong to the abovementioned categories may apply for a passport even without an appointment at DFA Aseana or any DFA Consular Office without an appointment.
If you need more information on the requirements for passport applications, please refer to the following official DFA websites: DFA, Consular, Passport.
Philippine passports validity have been extended from 5 years to 10 years since January 2018.
Filipinos can also now enjoy visa-free travel to 67 countries in 2020.
WATCH this video for more important reminders about your Philippine passport
TELL US in the comments below about your best passport application experience!
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