Even if you don’t have any plans to travel abroad it’s essential to have a current passport. You might forget about it since you’re too excited planning all the other things like creating your itinerary, buying the clothes and other necessities you’ll bring, and counting down the days until you’ve arrived at your destination and have started creating wonderful memories that you’ll remember forever. Before you know it, you only have a few days to get that very important booklet. Your dilemma is will you be able to get your passport on time and you surely have to spend more money to speed up the process.
If it’s your first time to get a passport, you have to know the Philippine passport requirements first. This is done weeks before the date of the appointment. If it’s for renewal application, the basic requirements are the following: personal appearance; confirmed Philippine Passport appointment; duly accomplished application form – emailed to you when you secured your passport appointment; your expired or expiring Philippine passport; and valid IDs with your picture and the supporting documents proving your identity.
The passport requirements for new application are: personal appearance; confirmed Philippine Passport appointment; duly accomplished application form – emailed to you when you secured your passport appointment; valid IDs with your picture and the supporting documents proving your identity; Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by PSA.
When it comes to scheduling a passport appointment in DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs), you’ll first have to pay the processing fee before your appointment will be confirmed. Go to the DFA’s official website to book an appointment (www.passport.gov.ph). Click on the Schedule an Appointment link in the Menu located at the upper portion of the website. Once you’re in the Appointment page, click the check box stating “I have read and understood…”. Click the Start Individual Appointment button if you’re booking for yourself and the Start Group of Appointment button for appointment involving two or more people.
When the page for Site Location selection pops up, choose which region, country and site where you want to apply for Philippine Passport. Then set the appointment date and time. Only choose from the available slots shown in the website. The next step involves entering your personal information and family information. The page Application Information for DFA Passport Appointment allows applicants to choose between New or Renewal. Then, correctly provide your contact information such as complete address, occupation, office address, and their contact number.
Double check your entries. Press Save once you’re satisfied. Click the check box “I’m not a robot” and the check box that says “I am aware that possession…” as well as the Confirm button. You’ll then be directed to the page where you’re asked to choose the Passport Application Processing Type. After that is the Payment page where you’ll see the Pay Now button (it’s required to pay for your Passport Application in advance). Click it then a small pop out window will be displayed. Please read this then click the “I Agree” check box and click the Proceed To Payment button. The next page is the DFA Epayment Services where payment for the passport application appointment is required to be settled by the applicant. This page must show you your Passport Application Reference Number. Click the Proceed button and press the Confirm button. You have the option to choose from several authorized payment centers and pay the application fees. A confirmation email will be sent to you which confirms your appointment for Philippine Passport Application.