Updated. Please see end of post for latest updates. Thank you.
This guide is based on how I applied for Francine’s passport last March 29, 2014 at the DFA Consular Office in Robinsons Lipa City. Since Francine is less than 3 years old, she was classified a Minor and thus put in the Special/Express Lane for Senior Citizens, Minors, PWD and Pregnant Women. The Consular Office is inside the mall so they operate during mall hours too. This means the actual processing starts at 9:00, though queuing to get an application form is another matter altogether. A regular applicant has to be queued by 6:00 or earlier (some even get there at 2:00!) if s/he wants to get a sure slot because they only accept a certain number of walk-in applicants per day (250 or 320, I’m not sure which, sorry).
But enough chit-chat, here are the steps for the application:
- Get an application form from the DFA staff/officer stationed outside the mall doors. The application forms are already numbered on the upper right corner.
Take note that you’ll only be given a form if you have complete requirements (more about this later). They start giving out the forms around 7:00. - Fill up the form completely and return it to the same DFA staff/officer for verification. This takes but a few minutes so you’ll have an hour or so of free time before they actually start the processing at 9:00.
- The processing starts as soon as the mall opens. Applicants are seated by number in the waiting area outside the CO. The guards then call out numbers by 10’s.
- When your number gets called, go inside and get your filled application form from the staff at the front desk.
- Proceed to the Assessment(?) window to have the documentary requirements verified.
- Once the documents are okayed by the staff, proceed to the Cashier. The regular processing fee is P950. You’ll get your passport after 15 working days. Should you want/need to get the passport sooner, you have the option of getting it after 7 working days for a slightly higher fee of P1,200.
- After that, go to Encoding to verify the information to be put into the passport (correct spelling of names, addresses, etc.) and to have the child’s photo taken. Minors don’t have to have their fingerprints scanned–at least in Francine’s case they did not. I’m not sure about older (4 years and up) applicants. And you’re done!
- This is optional, but if you want to forego the hassle of going back to claim the passport, you could have it couriered to your home/office instead. There is an LBC booth inside the Consular Office, right after Encoding. Just write your preferred shipping address on the sticker label they provide, pay P120 and that’s that.
Aside from the queuing in the early morning, the application process itself was pretty quick. Steps 3-8 should take just half an hour or less, barring any unexpected delays. We only got detained at Encoding, but that was not their fault since Francine wouldn’t let the man take her picture.
I opted for regular processing and paid P950, and was told to expect the passport done by April 30. That’s way more than 15 working days, but it seems DFA is having touble with the printing of passports lately. Anywho, since I put in my office address for the shipping, the nice lady at LBC told me to expect the delivery by May 2 since May 1 is a holiday. She further advised that if the passport got delayed and they got it at May 2 instead, I should expect it to arrive on May 5 since the office won’t accept Saturday delivery. That was fine with me, since I really was in no rush to get the passport. But to my surprise, it arrived earlier today, May 2. Worth noting is the fact that my cousin who renewed her passport the same day (March 29) and paid P1,200 for Express Processing got her passport a bit later than the expected date. A week later, if I remember correctly.
Anywho, here are the Requirements for a Minor Passport Applicant (below 18 years old):
- Personal appearance of the applicant
- Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper issued by NSO
- Certified true copy/Transcribed copy of Birth Certificate/Marriage
- Contract from the Local Civil Registry when entries in NSO BC/MC are blurred or not readable
- Personal appearance of either parents and parents ID (if minor is of legitimate status)
- Marriage Contract if applicant is accompanied by father.
- Personal appearance of mother and mother’s ID (if minor is of illegitimate status)
- ID (School ID/ F-137) of minor 8 -17 years old for first time and renewal applicant
- Original and photocopy of the valid passport of the travelling companion
NOT TRAVELLING WITH EITHER PARENTS OR IF TRAVELLING ALONE
- Original and photocopy of DSWD Travel Clearance
- Affidavit of Support and Consent (ASC) from the parents indicating the name of the travelling companion. If minor is illegitimate, mother should execute the ASC.
IF BOTH PARENTS ARE ABROAD:
- Affidavit of Support and Consent from parents indicating the name of the travelling companion with attached copy of valid passport of parents and MUST BE AUTHENTICATED BY THE NEAREST PHIL. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE. Commonly referred to as “Red Ribbon”.
- Special Power of Attorney designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for the minor’s passport and MUST BE AUTHENTICATED BY THE NEAREST PHIL. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE
- Copy of valid passport of either/both parents.
- Original ID of the duly authorized representative.
IF MINOR IS ILLEGITIMATE BUT ACKNOWLEDGED BY FATHER:
- Amended NSO birth certificate reflecting surname of father with Acknowledgement and Consent to use the surname of the father.
IF MINOR IS LEGITIMATED BY SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE OF PARENTS:
- Annotated Birth Certificate from NSO regarding the new status as legitimated and the full name of the child correctly stated.
- NSO Marriage Contract of parents
I hope this has been helpful. If you still have any questions, feel free to comment below and I’ll answer as I best could. 🙂
Update (07.01.16):
(Photo from here)
I’m so glad that DFA has a lot of Consular Offices in different malls… so convenient.
True. Malls are some of the most accessible and convenient places so putting up COs there is a stroke of genius. 😉
My kids do not have passports yet so this is definitely help me! Problem is I have yet to request for an authenticated birth certificate for my 3 yo. LOL I need to get that done first.
I got Francine’s from SM Business Center. Yes, they do offer those services too. 😉 Check your local SM, they might have it too. Oh, and do apply while the kid’s 3. That way you can get the whole family in the Special Lane too, I think.
I will keep that in mind! Thanks!
Very informative post! I renewed mine at SM Manila last year.
http://www.jacquelineuy.blogspot.com
Thanks Jacqueline! 🙂 Really convenient having a DFA CO at the mall, right?
This is very informative. Thanks for sharing sis!
No prob sis! 🙂
Doesn’t DFA have an online application where you fill out the form and choose a schedule when you want to process your passport? Or is it not applicable to Consular offices?
I think that’s only applicable to DFA in the Metro Manila area. Like I said, the CO here only accepts walk-in applicants.
thanks for this sis. will send this post to my cousin. they’re bringing her daughter to italy this summer.
Hope this helps sis. 🙂 How old is the girl? If she’s 3 or younger, they could get into the Priority Lane.
Im just renewing, no nid to bring pictures? Thanks & God bless guyz!
No need, they’ll take your picture there. 🙂
Hi. I am applying for my 2 month old baby’s passport probably next month. Kapag ba kasama nya either of the parents nya sa pagtravel eh kelangan ba ng ASC? Thanks.
Based on experience, hindi na ko hiningan ng ASC nun sinabi ko na ako ang kasama ng baby ko pag-travel. That should apply to your case as well. 🙂
Ahh. I see. So all in all NSO Birth Certificate and Copy ng passport ko lang ang kelangan? Thanks ulit 🙂
And one more thing, I’m renewing my passport din kase.So under din kaya ako ng priority lane? Thanks 🙂
I think so. As long as you’re with someone in the priority lane (and you’re immediate family), they might allow you so you could accompany the kid.
Oh, and if you’re married, an NSO-certified copy of your marriage contract might be required too. Bring a copy just in case. 🙂
No, Im not married. 🙂 Anyway, mga anung oras kayo nagpunta dun? Do i need to go early pa din kahit priority lane kame?
You never know, baka madami din nasa priority lane. Siguro mga 6am or so andun ka na, since 7am nagbibigay ng forms.
If my child ( 3 yrs.old) apply his passport together with his grandmother do they need to get appointment too or they can walk in ? And kelangan pa po ba ng ASC/SPA
Thanks & hope for the response.
Ang alam ko po kapag minor/senior hindi na kaylangan ng appointment, pwede walk-in. Andun po sa requirements sa post kung ano documents kelangan kapag hindi parent ang kasama pag-apply ng bata, pakibasa na lang po ulit. Thanks. 🙂
Hi! Do I need to bring my 4months old before 6:30? Or pwede kapag open na yun mall saka ko na lang siya isasama?
Pwede naman po kapag nag-open na mall, as long as napalista nyo po name nya before that. 🙂
hi good morning! yung anak ko papagawan q ng phil passport 2yrs old na xa..di pa kami kasal ng daddy nya na american pero meron na anak namin usa passport at crba,ano pong requirements ang kailangan q dalhin..priority pa kaya c baby sa line kze poh sobrang hirap na ngayon pumila sa dfa Robinson lipa..pipila ka ngayong 7pm pero bukas pa ng umaga ang process nun,walang alisan yun sa pila mula gabi hanggang umaga..nakakadismaya pero no choice po talaga..
Hi Miss Amie! Since less than 3 years old po yung baby nyo, pwede pa po kayo sa Express Lane. Kahit kayo na lang po muna pumila at magpalista ng maaga, then saka na isunod yung bata kapag papasok na. Agahan na din po para di maubusan ng slots sa Express Lane, mga 2am or 3am meron na po napilia so by 7am eh ubos na po talaga ang slots for processing for that day. Yung friend ko po na nagpagawa ng passport ng anak nya na 1 year old, mga 5am daw po pumila. Umabot naman po sa Express Lane at natapos within the day yung application.
Yung anak nyo po ba ay American, Filipino o dual citizen ang status? Kung Filipino at hindi pa kayo married, I think counted as illegitimate pa yung bata so ang required lang po ay (1) NSO birth certificate, (2) passport and photocopy of passport ng mother, at (3) personal appearance ng mother during application. Kung may US passport na din po yung bata, siguro ok na din po dalhin nyo yun plus photocopy.
good day po,,,tanong ko lang po kung papaano ang pagkuha ng pasport dyan sa lipa robinson,,,by online po ba o personal na pipila na lang…….
I just updated this post. Please see the update on the end part of the post. Hope that helps. 🙂
Hi,
Ask ko lang po kung pde n yung TIN ID & Philhealth ID for the picture’s ID yung lang po kxe meron ako. S Bulacan p kxe ako manggagaling kaya I need to confirm kung okay n yung mga ID n dadalhin ko. My appointment po ako s Aug 5.
Thanks
List of acceptable IDs (At least 1 of the following):
Government-issued picture IDs such as the following:
• Digitized SSS ID
• Driver’s License
• GSIS E-card
• PRC ID
• IBP ID
• OWWA ID
• Digitized BIR ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following:
• Old College ID
• Alumni ID
• Old Employment IDs
Good afternoon po. Government Employee po ako, kasama po ba ako sa maari sa express lane. kasi po kasama ko rin ang anak ko na 10 months old at ang aking asawa. salamat po.
Hi, sorry I’m not sure if government employees can go on the special lane. But if you’re applying for your baby’s passport, that would qualify you for the special lane as well. Maybe you can ask them nicely if they’d let your husband in as well, since you three are together after all. 🙂