- 1. To address the increased demand for passport appointment slots, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened additional Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) sites.
- 2. No more passport appointment slots will be reserved for recruiters of Overseas Filipino Workers
- 3. DFA will gradually load passport appointment slots in 2022
- 4. Active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can avail of the special appointment system set up by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at its Robinsons Galleria consular office in Ortigas
- 1. Confirmed online appointment
- 2. Printout of the passport appointment packet
- 3. Duly accomplished passport renewal application form (for courtesy lane applicants only)
- 4. Personal appearance
- 5. Current Philippine passport (with a photocopy of data page)
- 6. Supporting documents
- 1. Secure an Appointment Online
- Option 1: Call the DFA hotline at (02) 737-1000
- Option 2: Schedule an appointment online through the DFA Passport Appointment System
- 1. Who can renew a Philippine passport?
- 2. When can I renew my Philippine passport?
- 3. How much is the passport renewal fee in the Philippines?
- 4. How long does it take to renew the Philippine passport?
- 5. Where can I renew my Philippine passport?
- 6. I have an urgent need to travel but my passport has already expired. Can I extend its validity?
- 7. Can I travel back to the Philippines with an expired Philippine passport?
- 8. Can I travel back to the Philippines with a Philippine passport that has less than 6 months of validity?
- 9. Can I request for additional pages in my passport once it runs out of pages?
- 10. My current passport has my maiden name. Can I change it to my married name/husband’s surname?
- 11. Should I transfer my valid foreign visas from my old passport to the new one?
- 12. Can I renew my Philippine passport even if it still has more than one (1) year of validity?
- 13. I entered wrong/misspelled information in the online passport appointment form. Can I still edit it even though my appointment is already confirmed?
- 14. What should I do if I didn’t receive an email confirmation?
- 15. Can I change my appointment location and schedule?
- 16. If my old passport was issued around the 1990s (or older) and I lost it through the years, is it still considered for RENEWAL or NEW Application?
- 17. I wasn’t able to show up on the date of my passport appointment due to some emergency. Can I still reschedule it?
- 18. Who are exempted from passport appointment?
- 19. I just received my passport but noticed there’s a typographical error/incorrect information. What should I do?
- 20. My child is a minor/baby. How can I renew his/her Philippine passport?
- 21. Do I need a birth certificate for Philippine passport renewal?
- 22. I currently live/work abroad. How can I renew my passport without flying back to the Philippines?
- 23. Does the Philippine passport number change after renewal?
- 24. Is Postal ID a valid ID for Philippine passport renewal?
- 25. Can I still renew my expired Philippine passport?
At a Glance: Latest Updates About Philippine Passport Renewal
1. To address the increased demand for passport appointment slots, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened additional Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) sites.
These TOPS sites, which accept 500 daily appointments, are located in 1 :
- Robinsons Place Malolos
- Robinsons Angeles
- Robinsons Starmills (in San Fernando, Pampanga)
- Robinsons Place Bacolod
- Robinsons Place Iloilo
If you wish to renew your passport at the aforementioned TOPS sites, you first need to secure an appointment via the DFA online portal. Make sure that you have a fully-accomplished printed appointment before going to a DFA TOPS site.
There are also existing DFA TOPS sites in Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Galleria South, Robinsons Place Lipa., and Robinsons Place Las Piñas
2. No more passport appointment slots will be reserved for recruiters of Overseas Filipino Workers
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has stated that just like everyone else, these recruiters must undergo the online process of securing passport appointment slots 2 . Note that this policy will not affect OFWs that have recently been allowed to walk in at the DFA Aseana office and all DFA consular offices nationwide 3 to avail of the passport courtesy lanes. These courtesy lanes don’t require online appointments.
3. DFA will gradually load passport appointment slots in 2022
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced last December 2021 4 that appointment slots for passport-related transactions will soon be available. They assured the public that unprocessed appointments will be addressed and some appointment slots will be opened in the upcoming weeks. Keep yourself posted by regularly checking the DFA website and Facebook page.
Update: In hopes of reducing passport application backlogs, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced that more slots for passport renewal appointments will be available until September 2022 5 . This means that all applications will be surely accommodated until the aforementioned period. More appointments will be available in 36 DFA consular offices and 20 temporary offsite passport services (TOPS) located in malls.
4. Active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can avail of the special appointment system set up by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at its Robinsons Galleria consular office in Ortigas
Before proceeding, applicants must book their appointments (see our step-by-step guide in the article below to know how), making sure to select the DFA NCR Central site (Robinsons Galleria-Active OFW Lane). On the day of the appointment, don’t forget to bring the following to prove that you’re indeed an active OFW 6 :
- Valid working visa/re-entry visa (for land-based OFWs) or a valid seaman’s book with arrival stamped not more than 364 days from the date of application (for seafarers).
- Any of the following: Valid Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-card; latest overseas employment certificate receipt; or latest OFW information sheet from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
If you’re not qualified as an active OFW, kindly secure an appointment at other sites. Check out our comprehensive guide below for more information.
DFA Philippine Passport Renewal Requirements
Listed below are the basic requirements for Philippine passport renewal.
1. Confirmed online appointment
Regular renewal applicants can only visit the DFA office by appointment. Those who fail to secure an online appointment will not be accommodated.
2. Printout of the passport appointment packet
The passport appointment packet is a set of documents that will be sent to your email address after securing an online appointment and paying the processing fee at select ePayment channels (more on this later).
Don’t forget to print them out and bring them together with the other requirements on the day of your appointment.
3. Duly accomplished passport renewal application form (for courtesy lane applicants only)
Qualified applicants who will avail of the courtesy lane have no passport appointment packet to print (see the previous requirement) since they’ll bypass the online appointment.
Therefore, they need to accomplish the Philippine passport renewal application form. They can get this application form from the DFA on the day of their appointment. Alternatively, they can download it here (for adults) or here (for minors).
Update: Beginning June 3, 2020, all applicants including those who are qualified to have access to DFA courtesy lanes are now required to secure an online appointment before coming to DFA offices. For more information, click here.
4. Personal appearance
All applicants, regardless of age, are required to be physically present on the day of their appointment.
You can’t renew your Philippine passport by mail or through a proxy because of the need to take your photo and biometrics. The biometrics are included in the microchip of your passport and serve as an added security feature.
If you fail to show up at your appointment, whether due to an emergency or some other reason, you will be barred from making another online appointment for 30 days.
Minor applicants (below 18 years old) must be accompanied by either parent or any authorized adult companion (with authenticated Special Power of Attorney executed by the parent/s).
5. Current Philippine passport (with a photocopy of data page)
The data page refers to the second page of your current/recently expiring/expired Philippine passport.
Note that your current ePassport is already considered a valid ID regardless if it’s expired or not so there’s no need to bring an additional valid ID.
6. Supporting documents
For the change of name: Original PSA authenticated documents like a marriage contract, annotated birth certificate, annotated marriage contract showing annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction, or death certificate of spouse (whichever is applicable). If you recently married and have decided to continue using your maiden name, the marriage contract will not be required.
For lost valid ePassport: This will be treated as NEW APPLICATION so an online appointment is required. Supporting documents include Birth Certificate (unless you can submit a photocopy of the last Philippine passport issued to you); original and photocopy of Police Report in English; original and photocopy of the Affidavit of Loss written in English; and a penalty fee of Php 350. Take note that lost valid passports can only be re-issued after a 15-day clearing period.
For lost expired ePassport: This will be treated as NEW APPLICATION so an online appointment is required. Documentary requirements include a Birth Certificate (unless you can submit a photocopy of the last Philippine passport issued to you); an Affidavit of Loss in English; and a penalty fee of Php 350.
For those who used a travel document to travel back to the Philippines: DFA likewise treats this as a new application that’s why an online appointment is still required. Supporting documents you must bring include the original travel document as well as an Affidavit of Explanation. In case you’ve lost the travel document on your way home, please present an Affidavit of Explanation and the original travel records retrieved from the Bureau of Immigration.
For damaged or mutilated passports: This is also considered a NEW APPLICATION, hence requiring an online appointment. Apart from the mutilated or damaged passport/s, please also bring an Affidavit of Explanation and the penalty fee of Php 350.
For applicants who are dual citizens: In addition to the basic renewal requirements, you should also bring your Report of Birth or Identification Certificate from the Philippine consulate or the Bureau of Immigration. Another supporting document is any valid government-issued ID in the Philippines or any of its secondary citizenship/residence counterparts.
For applicants who are naturalized citizens: Aside from the basic renewal requirements, please also bring an Identification Certificate of Naturalization from the Bureau of Immigration.
For applicants who are Filipino citizens by Election: Aside from the basic renewal requirements, please also bring an Affidavit of Election of Philippine Citizenship and an Identification Certificate of Election issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
How To Renew Philippine Passport in 5 Steps
Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your Philippine passport, DFA always requires an online appointment. This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to renew a Philippine passport.
1. Secure an Appointment Online
Before we proceed, let me remind you that the DFA online appointment for passport renewal doesn’t apply to everyone.
Since a lot of applicants are vying for limited slots, and slots get filled up faster than they become available, you have to set an appointment even before planning for your next trip.
To book an appointment, you have two options:
Option 1: Call the DFA hotline at (02) 737-1000
The customer service will be ready to assist you with your Philippine passport renewal concerns from Mondays thru Fridays, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Option 2: Schedule an appointment online through the DFA Passport Appointment System
Follow the steps below to secure an appointment using this option:
First, go to the Passport Appointment System website. Click “Schedule An Appointment” from the top menu.
Read the Terms and Conditions which remind you that the passport appointment system offers slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tick the box to indicate that you’ve read and acknowledged the content. Click “Start Individual Appointment” (if you’re applying for yourself) or “Start Group Appointment” (if you’re making a group appointment on behalf of your family).
Choose the DFA branch where you’ll renew your passport.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred DFA branch, click “Next.”
Select the appointment date and time you prefer. Dates that are marked green indicate there are remaining slots left while those marked red indicate that the DFA office is already fully booked that day.
After selecting your preferred date and time, tick the captcha box and click the “Next” button.
Type in the requested data in the “Personal Information” form. If the applicant is minor, additional info will be requested. Ensure all the personal details you’ve provided are complete and accurate. Click “Next” to proceed.
Provide your parents’ names and citizenship in the “Family Information” form. Click “Next” when you’re done.
Enter all the requested details in the “Application Information” form. Since your passport is for renewal, choose “RENEWAL” under Application Type.
The “Basis of Philippine Citizenship” is the process through which you became a Filipino citizen. It can be by birth, election, marriage, naturalization, RA 9225, or others.
If you became a Filipino by virtue of something other than birth, don’t forget to bring the required supporting documents to prove your citizenship.
Click “Next” to proceed.
You will then be taken to a page asking for your contact information. Enter the requested information and click “Next” once you’re done.
A summary of all the answers you’ve provided will then appear. Double-check for any misspellings, incomplete answers, or wrong details. After ensuring everything is correct, solve the captcha, tick the box that says “I am aware that possession of a passport is a privilege granted by the Government…,” and click the “Confirm” button.
Choose the processing type. You have a choice between regular processing which costs Php 950 or express/expedite processing which costs Php 1200. For more information, read the previous section: How much to renew a Philippine passport?
After selecting your preferred processing type, click “Pay Now.”
A small box will then appear to give you a few reminders about the passport fee:
- It is exclusively for the payment of the passport processing fee.
- It is non-refundable.
- The payment must be done within 48 hours after you receive the Reference Number in your email or else the transaction will be canceled.
After reading them, tick the box that says “I Agree” and then click the “Proceed to Payment” button.
2. Pay the Philippine Passport Fee at Select ePayment Channels
Thanks to the ePayment process launched by the DFA, all applicants can now pay the passport processing fee BEFORE going to the DFA.
Note that this is not optional. All applicants are required to submit the payments through the ePayment channels, not directly to the DFA office like it used to be.
After clicking “Proceed to Payment” (see the previous step), you will be taken to the newly launched Philippine passport ePayment portal.
The page shows the total cost of the passport fee and the list of authorized payment centers or channels where you can pay the said fee.
Update: Online payment via credit card or debit card is now available 7 .
Check your email for the reference number. Take note of this number and present it at the Payment Center upon payment of the processing fee.
According to DFA, you can pay the passport processing fee in any one of the following authorized establishments/payment channels:
- Bayad Center
- EcPay
- Pera Hub
- Robinsons Business Center and Department Stores
- Waltermart Department Store
- 7-Eleven
- USCC (Western Union)
- Villarica Pawnshop
- Credit/Debit card
Remember, you can only confirm your appointment after paying the passport processing fee. Payment must be done within 48 hours after receiving the reference number in your email. Failure to pay it on time will cancel your passport appointment.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when paying the processing fee:
- It is non-refundable.
- Aside from the processing fee, you will also be charged an additional Php 50 by the Payment Center as a convenience/service fee.
- One reference number is equivalent to one transaction. If you’re paying for several reference numbers, separate payments must be done for each reference number.
- For questions and concerns about the ePayment portal, contact the Help Desk at (02) 234 3488 or through their email: [email protected]
Here are the following reasons why DFA implemented the ePayment system:
- To save time. Whereas in the old system, applicants had to line up just to pay the passport fee in the DFA office, the e-payment system makes it possible for them to pre-pay the same fees in select payment centers before going to DFA. That means one less step to deal with and more time saved for both DFA staff and the passport applicants.
- To prevent “no-show” applicants. Since the payment occurs prior to going to DFA, applicants with confirmed appointments will be forced to show up lest they forfeit the passport processing fee.
- To accommodate more passport applicants. Because the payment is now done outside DFA, their staff will now be able to process applications faster and accommodate more applicants.
- To prevent fixers. With the introduction of the e-payment system where appointments can only be secured with the payment of the passport fee, fixers will find it almost impossible to do under-the-table transactions.
After making the payment, keep the receipt issued to you.
A new email message will be sent confirming the payment has been successfully processed. Click the link in that email and print the following documents that are part of your passport appointment packet:
- Checklist with your indicated schedule
- Confirmed Application Form with the bar code, appointment reference number (ARN), and eReceipt number
- Two (2) copies of the eRECEIPT
Bring the above documents along with other documentary requirements to the DFA Consular Office on the day of your appointment.
3. Go to Your Chosen DFA Branch on Your Appointment Date and Time
It’s not easy to get an appointment slot so never ruin your chances of having your passport renewed by arriving late.
You must be at the DFA office at least 30 minutes before your appointment schedule. If you’ve chosen to renew your passport in one of the DFA satellite offices inside a mall, know that they operate during mall hours.
A companion or chaperone is only necessary if you’re a minor, senior citizen, or a PWD. For other applicants, please be advised that the DFA strictly adheres to a “No Escort” policy.
Again, if you fail to show up, DFA will temporarily blacklist your name so you won’t be able to book a slot until a month after your original appointment date.
Here are a few more reminders:
- No need to bring passport-sized photos since both your photo and biometrics will be captured during encoding (more on this later).
- Avoid long queues by choosing an earlier schedule. The earlier you arrive at DFA, the sooner you’ll complete the transaction.
- Follow the usual dress code for the passport picture. Make yourself presentable and don’t wear sandos/tank tops/sleeveless shirts, spaghetti straps, shorts, tubes, sandals, or slippers.
Upon arrival, go straight to the Appointment or Application Counter to present your printed documents.
Get a queue number and wait for your turn. Once your number is called, submit all your documentary requirements to the Information Counter or Processing Area for verification.
4. Have Your Photo and Biometrics Captured in the Encoding Section
Proceed to the Encoding section where a DFA staff will take your photo, fingerprints, and digitized signature.
Here are some reminders to ensure that you’ll go through this process with ease:
- Applicants should show a poker face–no smiling and exposing the teeth to the camera.
- Remove eyeglasses, contact lenses, earrings, or facial piercings. Don’t wear neck jewelry or turtleneck top. For women, only wear light make-up.
- Look directly at the camera.
For those who are too busy to return to the DFA office, a courier service can deliver your passport to your doorsteps for Php 150. To opt for this service, you can stop by and pay the fee at the Delivery Counter before leaving the DFA office.
5. Pick Up Your Renewed Philippine Passport or Wait for the Courier Service To Deliver It
If you availed of the delivery option before leaving the DFA, your passport will be sent to your doorsteps approximately 1 to 2 weeks after your application.
For those who didn’t pay for the delivery, go back to the DFA office and present the Official Receipt at the Passport Releasing section to claim your renewed passport.
In case you’ll not be available to personally claim or receive it, an authorized representative can do it for you. Just make sure that the person can present the following documents:
- Claim stub or Official Receipt for your passport. Take note that in case you’ve lost the passport receipt, you also need to submit a notarized Affidavit of Loss.
- An authorization letter (if the representative is a family member) OR a Special Power of Attorney (if the authorized representative is not a family member). Both documents should contain the name and photocopy of the valid ID of the authorized representative.
- Your current Philippine passport or any valid government-issued ID.
DFA encourages passport renewal applicants to claim their new passports on time. Unclaimed passports are automatically canceled after 180 days, as per Department Order No. 37-03.
Tips and Warnings
In my mock appointment, I noticed that the slots get filled up quickly, so much so that there was no slot left in all DFA Manila branches by the time I tried to book an appointment.
Follow these DFA appointment hacks to increase your chances of getting a slot:
- If you’re a parent of a minor (7 years old and below), you can accompany him/her to the designated priority lanes at any DFA office and get your passport renewed too. Asenior citizen along with a companion can also avail of the priority lane and have their passports processed at the same time. Take note, however, that some offices have a quota for the number of senior citizens they can accommodate every day. Some DFA branches don’t even accept applications from seniors at all.
- Expand your choices. If all slots at DFA offices in Manila have already been taken, try Regional Consular Offices near you. For example, during my mock appointment, all slots in Manila branches are filled up. But when I tried to check the regional consular offices, some of them (like in Butuan) have plenty of appointment dates available. Of course, try to reserve a slot from a DFA branch that is closest to your current location. If that’s not possible, and you’re desperate to get a slot, then it doesn’t matter where the DFA office is as long as you can shoulder the travel expenses.
- Check the passport appointment system website every few hours or so, preferably during the wee hours (between 1 AM and 4 AM). Some people cancel their appointments and the open slots usually reappear during this time. In my case, I managed to book an appointment at 3 AM. It’s a combination of luck and the right timing that will help you secure an appointment.
- Get a slot throughtravel agencies. These folks are known for booking appointments in bulk. It may cost a lot more but considering all the headaches you may get from doing it on your own, it will be worth every single cent.
