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Numerous Filipinos travel outside the Philippines for multiple reasons like work or leisure. And to successfully go abroad, you must get a passport first. Going out of the country requires you to present travel essentials like passports and travel insurance. However, not everyone has their Philippine Passports yet, thus, you need to learn the details of booking and scheduling an appointment. In this article, you are guided about the DFA online passport application process. Continue reading to know more!
Table of contents
The Filipino Passport Application
There is a process to be followed when applying for a Filipino Passport. Since it is the property of the national government, the application is strictly done in order for individuals to present themselves. Thus, follow the guide below to set your DFA passport appointment schedule.
How to Schedule a DFA Online Appointment?
To book a DFA appointment schedule for a Philippine Passport, visit https://dfa-oca.ph/services/passport/ and click on Services > Passport > Book an Appointment to schedule one. The Department of Foreign Affairs will not accept walk-ins. Thus, you must come in thirty minutes before your scheduled appointment.
When filling out your personal details, ensure that all your information is accurate and true. False information in official documents can lead to legal ramifications.
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Steps on how to schedule for an online appointment
- Visit the DFA website and click Services.
- Click on Passport, then Book an Appointment.
- Click on Schedule an Appointment and check the box to begin.
- Fill out the needed information.
- Choose appointment date and time.
Applicants can then check for DFA online appointment slots, as shown in the images below.
- Make sure that all details are correct. Once confirmed, check the box to agree with the Department’s terms.
- Fill out information correctly and accurately.
After filling out every section of personal information, ensure that all data is correct and accurate. Don’t forget to click next to proceed to the next section.
- Confirm All Information Indicated is Correct and Accurate
Once applicants have filled out all relevant information, they can proceed to the next step, the payment method. Applicants have two payment options: they can pick from normal and special processing, which costs more.
After filling out every section, click next to proceed. Once you have filled out all relevant information, you can proceed to the next step which is payment. You have two payment options: normal or special processing.
After choosing a processing type, simply select your chosen payment method. You can pay via e-wallets, online banking, or debit/credit card at designated payment centers. Here is a list of the accredited payment centers:
- Bayad Center
- EcPay
- Pera Hub
- PhilPost
- True Money
- Isetann
- Metro Mall
- Rustan’s (The Marketplace)
- San Roque Supermarket
- Sta. Lucia Mall
- Citystate Savings Bank
- Country Builders Bank
- Luzon Development Bank
- Own Bank
- BHF Pawnshop
- Capital Pawnshop
- CBE Pawnshop
- Cebuana Lhuillier
- CVM Pawnshop
- M. Lhuillier
- Raquel Pawnshop
- Sinag Pawnshop
- Villarica Pawnshop
- Robinsons Business Centers and Department Stores
- Waltermart Department Stores
- 7-Eleven
- USCC/Western Union
- Villarica Pawnshop
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How to Apply for a Passport Online?
All DFA online passport applications must be scheduled online. However, the process can take place at nearby Department of Foreign Affairs sites. When booking an appointment online, you’ll encounter the available dates and time slots from which you can choose.
During the application process, you are required to make a personal appearance on the selected date on time during the DFA online passport application stage. Thus, it is strictly prohibited to use fixers or escorts during the process.
All passport requirements are submitted to the Consular Office. You must ensure that all required documents have their own versions of originals and photocopies. Additional rule prohibits wearing of jewelries like earrings, necklaces, and contact lenses when taking a passport photo.
Once the application process has been completed, new Passport holders must ensure that all information printed on the document is accurate before exiting the Consular Office. In addition, applicants above thirteen must immediately sign their passport upon receiving it. For applicants aged twelve and under, the signature must be left blank.
It is also important to remember that all unclaimed passports are automatically canceled after a year. This measure is by Department Order No. 2021-012.
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What are the Valid IDs for Passports in 2024?
The list of acceptable valid IDs for Passport application in the current year is as follows:
- Philippine Identification (PhilID) / ePhilID
- Social Security System (SSS) Card
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Card
- Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License (for licenses expiring on April 24-October 31, 2023 that expired before the specified dates perforated during the renewal process are accepted along with the temporary license in paper format)
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) E-Card
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC’s main office in Intramuros, Manila
- Philippine National Police (PNP) Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
- Senior Citizen ID
- Airman License (issued from November 2016 and onwards)
- Philippine Postal ID (issued from November 2016 onwards)
- Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) or Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) (must be issued on February 2020 and onwards) issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- School ID (if applicable)
- For minor applicants who do not have a school ID: Certificate of Enrolment with photo of minor and school’s dry seal
- For adult applicants: school ID and Certificate of Registration
Note: Overseas applicants may use their host government’s issued ID indicating their Filipino citizenship (e.g., Residence Card). All presented IDs should be readable, untampered, and have consistent information and data as the other documents shared during the application process. During the application process, present both the original and photocopies of the IDs and other supporting documents.
Core Requirements for Adult Applicants
There are varying requirements for adult passport applicants. This section discusses the requirement list for adult passport applicants from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Confirmed online appointment
- Personal appearance
- Accomplished application form
- Original and photocopy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Authenticated Birth Certificate on Security Paper
- Married females (using spouse’s last name) must also show an original copy and submit a photocopy of PSA Authenticated Marriage Contract on Security Paper or Report of Marriage. However, women who did not change their last name upon marriage are not required to present this specified document.
- Local Civil Registrar Copy is required if the former is not clear or unreadable
- Any of the listed acceptable IDs with an additional photocopy
Other requirements for adults also involve the e-arrival cards for international travel.
How do I Reschedule an Appointment for My DFA Passport?
DFA appointment schedules is set quite far in time. In order to continue your application, simply follow these steps for a smooth DFA appointment rescheduling. You can also rely on these steps as it is the same process on how to cancel your DFA appointment.
- Access www.passport.gov.ph
- Click on ‘Manage Existing Appointment’
- Enter appointment code and email address
- Check ‘I’m not a robot’ and click ‘View Details’
- Click the ‘Cancel Appointment’ button
- “Appointment with Appointment Code <Appointment Code> was successfully CANCELED” message will appear
- Open your email to see the confirmation of cancellation
- To set a new appointment, choose either ‘Start Individual Appointment’ or ‘Start Group Appointment’
Can I Go Directly to DFA Without an Online Appointment?
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not accept walk-in appointments. Thus, you need to book an appointment online in order for you to proceed with the application process.
Final Thoughts
The DFA Online passport application is a seamless process. Applicants just have to follow the right steps in order to complete the process on time. Thankfully, DFA provides relevant information on its official website, where other frequently asked questions about international travel are addressed. So if you are among the many Filipinos who wish to travel in the near future, apply for your passport online!
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