DFA Passport Renewal 2023: Requirements & Steps for Easy Application
Note: Philippine passport applications are strictly by online passport appointment basis only. Applicants are advised to check the health and safety protocols of the local government unit (LGU) prior to booking a DFA appointment online. Visit the Office of Consular Affairs website for the latest advisories and updates.
Even though my Philippine passport will only expire after a year, I decided to renew it earlier to avoid complications in my future travels. The passport validity is now 10 years anyway, so I no longer have to max out my passport down to the last 6 months. By the way, I could not stress this enough — your Philippine passport must have at least 6 months validity prior to travelling, even to visa-free countries. You will be questioned or held at the immigration if it is less than 6 months. You don’t want that to happen, so if I were you, I’d process my DFA passport renewal at least a year prior to its expiry. Yes, better safe than sorry!
Philippine passport renewal is easy. In fact, you can schedule a DFA appointment online any time. To make things simpler, I’ve broken down the requirements and steps for you.
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DFA passport requirements for renewal
Make sure that you secure the following DFA passport requirements before you decide to go to the nearest Department of Foreign Affairs branch for your Philippine passport renewal.
- Current Philippine passport
- Photocopy of your Philippine passport data page
- For change of name, original PSA authenticated documents such as:
- Marriage Contract
- Annotated Birth Certificate
- Annotated Marriage Contract
- Death Certificate of Spouse
- Confirmed DFA appointment online — which brings us to the next steps below!
See complete list of DFA passport renewal requirements here.
DFA online appointment steps
Step 1: Schedule your DFA passport renewal appointment
- Go to https://passport.gov.ph/appointment to schedule your DFA passport renewal appointment.
- Read and review the Terms and Conditions and scroll to the bottom.
- Tick the checkbox if you have read and understood the information.
- Click the Start Individual Appointment OR Start Group Appointment if you want to apply for more than one person.
Step 2: Input your personal information
Whether you’re applying individually or with a group, make sure that all information you key in are correct. Double-check everything because any error or discrepancy may result in delay or rejection of your Philippine passport application.
If you selected Group Appointment, you will be asked for the number of applicants. You can schedule up to a maximum of 5 applicants only. Click next after your selection.
2.1 Select the DFA site location for your appointment
As for me, I opted for DFA NCR Northeast (Ali Mall) as it was the nearest site from where I was based at the time of my Philippine passport renewal application. Do note that open slots will differ for each location, so you might want to check the other locations if you want to schedule your DFA appointment on a specific date. As of writing, there are still many slots for the DFA MANILA (ASEANA) branch.
DFA Metro Manila branches:
- ASEANA
- SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
- Robinsons Novaliches, Quezon City
- Ali Mall, Cubao, Quezon City
- METRO ATC, Muntinlupa City
- SM CITY, Manila
For Cebu, you may schedule your DFA Cebu appointment here:
- Pacific Mall Metro Mandaue, Cebu
- SM Seaside City Cebu – Temporary Off-site Passport Service located on 3F Mountain Wing (main)
After selecting your preferred DFA site, click next.
Also read: 10 Best Malls in Cebu to Shop, Dine, or Simply Unwind
2.2 Select your DFA online appointment schedule
You will have to select the Date and Time of your DFA passport renewal appointment. The green ones are the available dates for passport appointment.
2.3 Input your personal information and other information in the next pages
Next steps are already simple and straightforward. Complete each page and click next:
-
- Personal Information
- Family Information
- Application Information
- Contact Information
- Group Contact Information
Tip: Ready your current passport because you will need some of the information from there.
Step 3: Wait for the email confirmation and pay the Philippine passport application fee
After completing your DFA online application, appointment@passport.gov.ph will send you an email with your reference number and payment instructions.
Philippine passport fees are as follows:
- ₱950 (regular) up to 12 business days
- ₱1,200 (expedite) up to 6 business days (within Metro Manila) and 7 business days (outside Metro Manila)
*Note that you will have to pay the price of ₱350 as penalty for lost and mutilated ePassport
Please take note of the following:
- You only have 24 hrs to pay for your Philippine passport application.
- There is an additional price of ₱50 as convenience fee.
- Take note of your reference number and proceed to any of the following outlets to pay:
- Robinsons malls and supermarket
- LBC
- eBiz
- Perahub
- USSC
- Truemoney
- Villarica
- 711
- ECPay outlets
- Bayad Center or Bayad Center app
Note: For group applications, fees must be paid individually.
Step 4: Print your DFA passport requirements and documents
After paying the application fee within 24 hours, you will get an email confirming your successful DFA appointment. A PDF file is attached containing some important reminders, steps at data capturing site, completed Philippine passport application form, and electronic receipt. Print all the attached DFA passport requirements in an A4 paper and bring them on your scheduled Philippine passport renewal appointment.
Step 5: Proceed to DFA for your personal appearance
On your DFA passport renewal appointment day, arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
What to wear on your passport appointment day
DFA has a strict dress code so you should dress appropriately during your appointment day. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders. Do not wear revealing outfits such as those with plunging necklines, sleeveless, spaghetti, halter, tube, and other see-through tops. Shorts and mini skirts are also not allowed. Avoid wearing slippers and sandals — it is best to wear closed shoes. Heavy make-up is also discouraged as DFA might ask you to remove it during photo-taking. Necklaces, earrings, piercings, as well as eyeglasses and coloured contact lenses, will also have to be removed when taking your passport photo.
Steps at the DFA for your passport renewal
Step 1: Approach the guard and wait for your turn to enter the site. Present your printed A4 documents and identification card (ID) at the verification counter. You will be given a priority number.
Step 2: Wait for your number, and present your verified application form and requirements to the processor. You will be given another priority number for the encoding section.
Step 3: When your number is called, proceed to the encoding counter. Your photo will then be taken and you will be asked to double-check your encoded data. You will receive a claim stub with the tentative date of passport release.
Step 4 (optional): You may opt to have your passport delivered to you through the assigned couriers inside the site. I had my passport delivered via LBC for ₱150.
Step 6: Wait for your Philippine passport release
The processing time for Philippine passport renewal may vary. It could take up to 15 working days, depending on your location. Thankfully, I got my passport after 7 working days only.
Also read: Japan Visa Requirements for Filipinos: How I Got Approved in 5 Steps
The DFA passport renewal process is no longer as tedious as it was in the past. While it still took more than two hours for me to process at Ali Mall branch, the final waiting time was definitely faster compared to when I processed my first Philippine passport a few years back.
*All DFA online appointment screenshots above taken from DFA’s official passport appointment system.
