how to apply for or renew your philippine passport
i’ve tried googling this myself but found only a few information until i just decided to go to DFA (Pasay) where i bumped into a lot of scammers, fixers at iba pang mga magkakasabwat na mang-gagancho doon. what made me say that? the first time i got my passport, nobody warned me about those fixers hanging around pretending they are working with DFA. what happened next was a long story but luckily i ended up processing it myself, in the basketball court inside the DFA building.
yesterday while i was walking towards DFA for processing a renewal, somebody pretended that he’s a DFA security guard who has to check my backpack contents. the fool wasn’t even close to the main entrance, just standing in front of the zerox machine stall and he’s not even wearing a guard uniform. so i ignored him and went straight ahead to the entrance where there’s a line of people and a REAL gate guard checking all baggage before entering. it feels bad that when i looked back at that FAKE guard, i saw people who fell for his trap and opened their bags for him to see.
my tip is, maging alisto, at wag tatanga-tanga. magtanong lamang ng mga direksyon sa mga guard na naka-uniporme at nasa loob ng DFA. everything you’ll need for processing your passport is INSIDE the DFA premises including application forms, zerox machines, thumbmarking, passport photo taking, etc. just bring the requirements, a pen, a small bottle of paste, stapler and money. ignore those people blocking you and telling you what you need to have or what you need to do as you’re making your way towards the DFA entrace, because they are FIXERS and SCAMMERS. sometimes they wear IDs too just to look believable.
anyway, the first thing that you need to do whether it’s for new passport application or renewal is to prepare all the REQUIREMENTS that are listed through THIS LINK.
the process for new application and renewal of passport is different now from 5 years ago because of appointment system. if you have email/internet access at home then it’s better to file your appointment online through THIS LINK so you will only have to go to DFA twice for processing and then claiming your passport. you’re supposed to receive a confirmation email of your online transaction and later on, a reply email containing the next step you need to take as well as your appointment date and time.
if you cannot set an online appointment, then you will have to go back to DFA THREE (3) times. first time for filling up an application form and getting an appointment schedule which usually falls a week after; second time for processing, payment, encoding and fingerprinting; and third time (after two weeks or one week if rushed) for passport release.
the basketball court that i’m talking about is on the right side, past the GATE 2 and GATE 3 doors on the left. once you’re in the court, go to INFORMATION section where you can get the application form and the green leaflet containing the steps you need to take. here’s what the leaflet contains and more:
MGA HAKBANG SA PAGKUHA NG APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE
1. kumpletuhin ang pag-fill up sa application form. ang THUMBMARKING section ay nasa gilid lang ng INFORMATION.
2. idikit ang mga litrato. kung wala pa ay magpakuha na lang sa MOBILE PASSPORT photo sa halagang 150 pesos para sa anim ng kopya. ito yung bus sa may bungad ng basketball court. mabilis lang at maganda ang kuha nila, in fairness. at sigurado ka pang tatanggapin ang picture mo sa application. kung walang paste, bumili or manghingi. 5 pesos ang isa, maliit lang. manghiram ng stapler sa APPOINTMENT table para maidikit ung dalawa pang picture sa ilalim ng application form.
3. ipa-photocopy ang inyong application form. 2 pesos ang isang kopya.
4. pumila sa APPOINTMENT table para makakuha ng schedule. wag mahiyang magtanong kung ikaw ay nalilito pa rin o kung meron kang katungan sa isip mo.
5. umuwi ka na at bumalik na lang sa araw ng appointment na ibinigay sayo.
if you don’t feel like going through all these hassle, then you may just apply online, have someone pick up the requirements at your house, and have the passport delivered to your doorstep after two weeks. BUT, it costs 1200 pesos (versus the 500 pesos original passport fee) and also requires a personal appearance. you may read more information about that kind of process (passport direct) through THIS LINK. i recommend this process to all busy people and those who live very far away from DFA in order to save your time and travel expense that could possibly amount to just the same or maybe more.
good luck!
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February 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thanks for the very useful info. God bless!
February 4th, 2009 at 12:10 am
you’re welcome po!
February 27th, 2009 at 12:52 am
[...] How to apply for or renew your passport [...]
May 25th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thank you very much for posting this topic! Great info! :)
May 28th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Its better to ask for an appointment online @ http://dfa.gov.ph/form/app3/index.html if you’re planning on renewing you’re passport.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:41 am
yup, that’s exactly what i did. i’ve also given that same link above within my post. i’m so glad that the process is a breeze now but i’m still looking forward to the day when passports will be released on the same day of application or renewal ;)
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
thanks.
grabe, medyo na experience ko yang mga scammers na yan, pero sorry sila, i did not fell into their trap. may kunwari pa sasabay sa ‘yo na magrerenew din or kukuha ng passport, pero kasabwat nila. mukha sila mabait pero sabi nga, looks can be deceiving.
i agree na dapat sa naka-uniform lang magtatanong. mahirap magtiwala sa mga tao ngayon, sa hirap ng buhay lahat gagawin nila, hahah, good luck to them, karma! karma!
first time ko kasi mag-apply, i’m claiming it this week, madali lang ba makuha yung passport. what other documents should i bring aside from the claim stub/receipt? di ba may time naman na naka-indicate? gate 2 ako proceed di ba? thank you. =)
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:06 am
panu ba nagrenew ng passport.? pwede bang mag-renew ng hndi kana pupunta sa DFA at POEA..?