If you’re a Filipino planning to travel abroad for the first time or pursue international studies, you’ll need a passport. This guide explains what you need to know about applying for your initial passport in the Philippines in 2023.
Related: HOW TO RENEW PHILIPPINE PASSPORT?
Requirements for First-Time Passport Applicants
As per the law of DFA, the requirements for first-time passport applicants vary based on whether you’re an adult or a minor. Here’s what you need to know:
For Adult First-Time Passport Applicants:
For adults applying for their first passport in the Philippines, there are some essential requirements to meet. These core requirements include:
- Confirmed Online Appointment: Schedule an appointment online through the DFA website.
- Personal Appearance: You must be present in person.
- Accomplished Application Form: Fill out the application form.
- Original and Photocopy of PSA Authenticated Birth Certificate: Provide your PSA-authenticated birth certificate on security paper. If you’re a married female using your spouse’s last name, you also need to submit the PSA Authenticated Marriage Contract or Report of Marriage. If your PSA Birth Certificate is unclear, you may require a copy from the Local Civil Registrar.
- Acceptable IDs: You need to present any of the following IDs along with the core requirements:
- Social Security System (SSS) Card
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Card
- Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License (Student Permit in card format is accepted)
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Philippine Identification (PhilID)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-Card
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC main office in Intramuros, Manila (Certificates issued in COMELEC’s regional offices may require further verification. Applicants may need to present an NBI or police clearance along with the Voter’s Certificate).
- Philippine National Police (PNP) Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
- Senior Citizen ID
- Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards)
- Philippine Postal ID (issued November 2016 onwards)
- Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) (must be issued from February 2020 onwards) by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- Valid or Latest Passport (For Passport Renewal)
Note that all applicants, whether applying for the first time or not, are typically required to schedule an appointment with the DFA. However, there are some exceptions. Children aged seven and below with their parents and minor siblings, pregnant women (with a medical certificate for those not visibly pregnant), senior citizens with senior citizen IDs and one immediate family member, solo parents with a solo parent ID and their minor children, persons with disabilities with PWD IDs and one immediate family member, and OFWs with OFW e-Cards, work visas, or POEA-authenticated employment contracts may go directly to the courtesy lane without the need for an appointment.
Required Documents:
Here is list of required documents.
| CONDITION | NECESSARY DOCUMENT |
|---|---|
| Late Registered Birth Certificate | – If Birth Certificate registered ≥ 10 years ago, treated as a regular application, no additional documents needed. |
| – If Birth Certificate registered < 10 years ago, submit IDs predating late registration or current IDs with NBI Clearance. | |
| No Birth Certificate or Report of Birth | – Born AFTER 1950: File late registration with LCR or Consular Office, submit original PSA-authenticated late registered Birth Certificate and IDs predating late registration or current IDs with NBI Clearance. |
| – Born ON OR BEFORE 1950: Submit original and photocopy of PSA Authenticated Certificate of No Birth Record and Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons with photocopy of their IDs. | |
| Marriage dissolution and reverting to maiden surname | – Submit original and photocopy of PSA Birth Certificate and acceptable IDs. |
| – Submit original and photocopy of annotated PSA Marriage Certificate (MC) or Report of Marriage (ROM) stating the marriage dissolution. OR | |
| – If annotated MC or ROM not yet available, submit Certified True Copy of Court Order dissolving the marriage and certificate of Finality from the court. | |
| Lacking data in Birth Certificate or Report of Birth | – Present original and submit photocopy of proof of filing supplemental report or correction from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR). |
| Discrepancy in data between documents | – Birth Certificate discrepancy: Submit annotated birth certificate authenticated by PSA with corrected entry. |
| – Other document discrepancy: Follow the corrected entry on Birth Certificate. | |
| Dual Citizen | – Original PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate/Report of Birth and Original Identification Certificate issued by Philippine Foreign Service Post (FSP) or Bureau of Immigration (BI), along with photocopy. |
| – Original and photocopy of foreign passport. | |
| – Government-issued IDs (Philippine or from the country of second citizenship). | |
| Naturalized Filipino Citizen | – Original and photocopy of Identification Certificate of Naturalization from BI. |
| Obtained citizenship by Election | – Original and photocopy of Affidavit of Election of Philippine Citizenship. |
| – Original and photocopy of Identification Certificate of Election from BI. | |
| Granted citizenship by Act of Legislation | – Certified true copy of the law granting citizenship. |
| – Foreign Birth Certificate authenticated by Philippine FSP. |
For Minor First-Time Passport Applicants:
when applying for a passport for a minor in the Philippines, there are specific criteria and documents that need to be submitted. These requirements include:
- Online Appointment (if applicable): Children aged 7 and below usually don’t need to make an online appointment. They can utilize the courtesy lane, accompanying their parents or minor siblings.
- Application Form: The application form must be filled out as part of the process.
- Personal Appearance: Both the minor applicant and one of the parents or an authorized adult companion must be present during the application.
- PSA Birth Certificate: The original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate is a mandatory document. In cases where the PSA Birth Certificate is unclear or unreadable, a Local Civil Registrar Copy may be required.
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable): If only one parent is accompanying the child, a Marriage Certificate may be necessary.
- Affidavit of Support and/or Consent (if applicable): For unmarried parents where the mother is not accompanying the child, an Affidavit of Support and/or Consent executed by the mother might be required. If this document is executed abroad, it must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
- Parent’s Passport or Valid Government-Issued ID: A photocopy of one of the parent’s Passport or Valid Government-Issued ID is also needed.
- School ID (if applicable): If the minor applicant has a school ID, it should be provided.
Additionally, a photocopy of either parent’s Passport or Valid Government-Issued ID is required. These IDs could include:
- Social Security System (SSS) Card
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Card
- Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License (Student Permit in card format is acceptable)
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Philippine Identification (PhilID)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-Card
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC main office in Intramuros, Manila (Certificates issued in COMELEC’s regional offices may require further verification, along with NBI or police clearance)
- Philippine National Police (PNP) Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
- Senior Citizen ID
- Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards)
- Philippine Postal ID (issued November 2016 onwards)
- Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) (must be issued Feb 2020 onwards) issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- Valid or Latest Passport (For Passport Renewal)
Ensuring that these requirements are met will facilitate the passport application process for minors in the Philippines.
Required Documents:
Here are the necessary documents for various conditions when applying for a minor’s passport in the Philippines.
| Condition | Necessary Documents |
|---|---|
| No PSA Birth Certificate/Report of Birth yet (Born in the Philippines) | – Certified True Copy of Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA |
| No PSA Birth Certificate/Report of Birth yet (Born abroad) | – Original copy of Report of Birth or first indorsement from Consular Records Division |
| Not accompanied by parent/s during the application process | – Special Power of Attorney executed by the parent/s, designating the minor’s companion to assist in the application process (must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad) – Passport or Valid Government issued ID of authorized adult companion – Special Power of Attorney or Affidavit of Support and Consent with a copy of parent/s valid ID and/or passport attached |
| Not traveling with parent/s | – DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the parent/s (must be Consularized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad) – Passport or Valid Government issued ID of authorized adult companion |
| Illegitimate child in custody of the Mother | – Personal Appearance of minor applicant and mother or authorized adult companion – PSA Birth Certificate – Passport or Valid Government issued ID of mother or authorized Adult Companion |
| Illegitimate child, mother absent/deceased, and father unknown | – Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adult guardian – PSA Birth Certificate – Valid Passport or valid government ID of adult guardian – DSWD Clearance – Affidavit of Guardianship |
| Underwent domestic adoption | – Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adoptive parent/s – PSA Birth Certificate – Valid passport or valid government issued ID of adoptive parent/s – Court Decree of Adoption – If not accompanied by adoptive parent/s: Special Power of Attorney executed by the adoptive parent/s (must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad) – If not traveling with adoptive parent/s: DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the adoptive parent/s (must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad) |
| Undergoing foreign adoption/ICAB adoption process | – Personal Appearance of minor applicant and ICAB representative – PSA Birth Certificate/PSA Certificate of Foundling – Endorsement from ICAB – Certificate of Child Available for Adoption/Deed of Voluntary Commitment – Placement Authority issued by ICAB – Certificate for Issuance of Passport issued by ICAB – Clearance for Inter-Country Adoption – Child Study Report – DSWD clearance |
| Foundling not for adoption | – Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adult guardian – PSA Certificate of Foundling – Passport or Valid Government issued ID of adult guardian – DSWD clearance – Affidavit of guardianship |
These documents are essential for different scenarios when applying for a minor’s passport in the Philippines.
What’s the waiting time for your passport to be ready?
Well, if you’re applying for a passport in the National Capital Region (NCR) or outside of it, you should be prepared to wait for about twelve (12) working days. Once your application has been processed, you can collect your passport from the same consular office or passport capturing site where you submitted your application.
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