Renewing Philippine Passports: Emergency Travel Guide

If you are a Philippine citizen and need to renew your passport for emergency travel, there are a few things you need to do. First, check if your passport is expiring within the next 6 months, as the Philippine Embassy advises renewing passports before this period if you intend to travel. You will need to schedule an appointment with the Philippine Consulate General, which can be done through the DFA's Global Online Appointment System (GOAS). For those in the US, you can email the Passport Supervisor to set up an appointment. You will also need to fill out the appropriate passport application form and gather the necessary documents, such as proof of current Philippine citizenship and a photocopy of your passport data page. It is important to note that you will need to appear in person, and only immediate family members are allowed to claim the passport on your behalf. The processing time for passport renewal can take up to 8 weeks, so it is essential to plan accordingly.

Contact the US Embassy in Manila for an emergency passport

If you are a US citizen in the Philippines and need an emergency passport, you can contact the US Embassy in Manila. The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit provides emergency services to US citizens and is able to print limited-validity emergency passports for those with urgent travel needs.

To request an emergency passport, you must first email the ACS unit in Manila at [email protected]. In your email, be sure to include "Emergency Passport" in the subject line. You will then need to request an appointment to apply in person. At your appointment, you must bring proof of urgent travel, such as purchased tickets, flight confirmations, or confirmation of medical or legal appointments that require international travel within the next two weeks.

Please note that passport services are not available on weekends or Philippine or US holidays. Additionally, routine consular services remain suspended due to the community quarantine. As a result, there may be delays in the issuance of emergency passports.

Requirements for an adult renewal of passport

Confirmed Passport Appointment and Personal Appearance

A confirmed passport appointment and the personal appearance of the passport applicant are required. Passport appointments can be obtained through the DFA's Global Online Appointment System (GOAS).

Duly-Accomplished Passport Application Form

The passport application form must be duly accomplished, with entries being either typewritten or printed legibly and made in the exact format indicated in the form.

Latest Philippine Passport

The original latest passport and a photocopy of the passport data page must be presented. If the latest passport is not an ePassport and the applicant's details are not complete, an original and photocopy of the Birth Certificate/Report of Birth, Marriage Certificate/Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) must also be presented. Additional documents may be requested if the presented certificate/report is unreadable.

Proof of Current Philippine Citizenship

The applicant must present the original and photocopy of proof of current Philippine citizenship. This may include a valid Resident Alien Card/Permanent Resident Card, dual citizenship documents, or a copy of a valid U.S. Visa.

Supporting Documents

Additional documentation may be required based on special circumstances, such as name changes, dual citizenship, or naturalised citizenship. For example, married females wishing to use their husband's last name must provide an original and photocopy of their Marriage Certificate/Report of Marriage.

Self-Addressed Stamped Return Envelope

The applicant must provide a self-addressed stamped return envelope with appropriate stamps and a tracking number, or a self-addressed prepaid mailing envelope from a courier of their choice.

Requirements for dual citizens

Dual citizens of the Philippines are those who have become citizens of another country by reason of naturalization but have retained or reacquired their Philippine citizenship.

To renew a Philippine passport in an emergency, dual citizens must follow the same requirements as other citizens. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco outlines the following requirements for dual citizens:

• Accomplished Dual Application Form with 2 identical photos (2x2 with plain white background, taken within 6 months, and printed on photo paper). Applicants must wear tops with sleeves in the photos.
• Original Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly known as NSO).
• Original Marriage Contract/Certificate (if applicable). If married in the Philippines, this should be issued by PSA/NSO; if married in the US, it should be issued by a US government authority.
• For divorced/annulled/widowed applicants, the following documents are required:

• Original Divorce decree (issued by a US court) and Marriage Certificate.
• Original authenticated Recognition of Divorce (issued by a Philippine court) and Marriage Certificate.
• Original annotated Marriage Contract for annulment (issued by PSA).
• Original Death Certificate of the previous spouse and Marriage Certificate/Contract (issued by PSA or by a US authority).

• Copy of US Naturalization Certificate.
• Copy of Philippine passport (data page).
• Copy of US passport (data page).
• Additional requirements for those who will include their minor children who are US citizens:

• Original Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines, issued by PSA/NSO; if born in the US, issued by a US government authority).
• Original US Naturalization Certificate (if not available, a notarized letter of explanation).
• Copy of US passport (data page).
• Copy of Philippine passport (data page), if available.
• Copy of US Naturalization Certificate of the spouse of the Primary Applicant (if former Filipino) or Birth Certificate (if US citizen).

It is important to note that dual citizens must appear in person and by appointment only. Mailed-in applications are not accepted. The processing fee for dual citizenship applications is $50.00, with an additional $10.00 expedite service fee for consular outreach missions.

Requirements for married females

If you are a married female applying for a Philippine passport, you must provide the following supporting documents:

• Original and photocopy of the Marriage Certificate (MC)/Report of Marriage (ROM) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (formerly known as the National Statistics Office (NSO)). If the MC/ROM presented is unreadable, additional documents may be requested.
• If you choose to retain your maiden name in your passport, a Marriage Certificate is not required.
• If you have previously used your husband's surname in your passport and wish to revert to your maiden name, you can do so once every subsisting marriage. You will need to submit a notarized affidavit and your PSA birth and marriage certificates.
• If your marriage was conducted outside of the Philippines, you must first file a Report of Marriage with the appropriate PH Embassy/Consulate.
• If your marriage has been dissolved and you wish to revert to your maiden name, you must submit the original copy of the annotated PSA Marriage Certificate (MC) or Report of Marriage (ROM) stating that the marriage has been dissolved. Alternatively, if the annotated MC or ROM from PSA is not available, you must submit a Certified True Copy of the Court Order dissolving the marriage and a Certificate of Finality from the court.
• If you are a dual citizen, you must provide the original and photocopy of your dual citizenship documents, such as the Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval.
• If you are a naturalized citizen, you must provide the original and photocopy of your Identification Certificate of Naturalization from the Bureau of Immigration.
• If you are a Filipino citizen by election, you must provide the original and photocopy of your Affidavit of Election of Philippine Citizenship and Identification Certificate of Election from the Bureau of Immigration.
• If you are changing your name, you must present the original PSA-authenticated documents supporting the name change, including the Marriage Certificate/Report of Marriage, Annotated Birth Certificate, Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction, and Marriage and Death Certificate of your spouse. If the annotated MC or ROM from PSA is not available, submit a Certified True Copy of the Court Order and a Certificate of Finality.
• If you are applying for a new passport using your husband's surname for the first time, you must provide the original and one photocopy of the PSA-authenticated Marriage Certificate or Report of Marriage.

Requirements for minors

The requirements for minors applying for or renewing a Philippine passport vary depending on the minor's circumstances, such as age, legitimacy, and travel companions. Here is a detailed guide on the requirements for minors in different situations:

Core Requirements for Minor Applicants:

• A confirmed online appointment at a DFA consular office.
• Personal appearance of the minor applicant, accompanied by either parent or an authorized adult or guardian.
• Duly accomplished application form.
• PSA birth certificate of the minor applicant. If unavailable, a Local Civil Registrar copy can be presented.
• PSA marriage certificate of the parents if only one parent is present.
• If the parents are unmarried and the father accompanies the minor, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the mother is required, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy.
• Original and photocopy of the passport or any valid government-issued ID of either parent.
• Minor's school ID, if applicable.

Additional Requirements for Specific Cases:

For newborn or less than one-year-old applicants:

• Certified True Copy of Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Birth Certificate authenticated by the PSA if born in the Philippines.
• Original copy of Report of Birth or first indorsement from the Consular Records Division if born abroad.

For minor applicants unaccompanied by parents:

• Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by one or both parents to authorize the minor's adult companion, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate if executed abroad.
• Parents' SPA or Affidavit of Support and Consent, including a copy of the parents' valid government-issued ID or valid passport.
• Authorized adult companion's passport or valid government-issued ID.

For minors not travelling with parents:

• Clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
• Affidavit of Support and Consent from the child's parents, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
• Authorized adult companion's passport or valid government-issued ID.

For illegitimate minor children in the custody of the mother:

• Personal appearance of the minor applicant and mother or authorized adult guardian.
• Child's PSA birth certificate.
• Valid passport or valid government-issued ID of the mother or authorized adult guardian.
• If the mother is not accompanying the minor, she must execute an SPA, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
• If the minor is not travelling with the mother, a DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent are required, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.

For illegitimate minor children with a deceased/absent mother and unknown father:

• Personal appearance of the minor applicant and adult guardian.
• Minor's PSA birth certificate.
• Valid passport or valid government-issued ID of the adult guardian.
• DSWD clearance.
• Letter of Guardianship issued by a Family Court.

For minor children who have undergone or are undergoing domestic adoption:

• Personal appearance of the minor applicant and adoptive parent(s).
• Minor's PSA birth certificate.
• Adoptive parent(s)' valid passport or valid government-issued IDs.
• Copy of the Court Decree of Adoption.
• If adoptive parents are not present, an SPA must be submitted, authorizing an adult companion to assist in the application process.
• If the minor is not travelling with adoptive parents, a DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent are required, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.

For minor children who have undergone or are undergoing foreign adoption/Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB) adoption:

• Personal appearance of the 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.

For minor children who are foundlings and not for adoption:

• Personal appearance of the minor applicant and adult guardian.
• PSA Certificate of Foundling.
• Adult guardian's valid passport or valid government-issued ID.
• DSWD clearance.
• Letter of Guardianship issued by the Family Court.

Other Important Notes:

• Minors aged eight years old and above need a passport appointment.
• A Philippine passport is valid for five years and can be renewed up to six months before its expiry.
• The DFA website provides an online passport application option, and the passport fee must be paid within 24 hours of completing the application.
• Regular processing takes 12 business days, while expedited processing is 7 business days.
• The passport can be delivered to the applicant's address or claimed in person at the DFA consular office.

Frequently asked questions