How to Schedule a DFA Online Appointment to Get a Philippines Passport

If you’re one of the Filipinos who are interested to reach your travel goals but haven’t applied for a passport yet or need to renew your passport, this one is for you. Here, you’ll learn how to set a DFA online appointment to apply for a Philippine passport! We have also included all of the DFA Philippine passport requirements for your DFA application.

Filipino tourists are on the rise these past few years, thanks to the power of social media and constant seat sales offered by several airlines. What used to be a luxury to most of us has now become normal and it won’t slow down anytime soon.

Moreover, more countries are granting visa-free, e-visa and visa on arrival entries for Philippines Passport holders. Consequently, Filipinos are becoming more interested in crossing borders to see what lies beyond our seas. 

Yes, that’s right. Both new applicants and those who need a DFA passport renewal should register with the DFA online appointment system. The DFA has already devised an online service to make sure your appointments are hassle-free and are more organized.

Getting a Philippine passport is not only beneficial to those who are planning to leave the country. It’s also a good document to present if you need to provide any form of identification.

Here are the things that you must remember when applying for a DFA online appointment to secure your very own Philippine passport.

Things to Remember for DFA Online Appointment

1. Everyone who applies for a new passport or renewal must get a DFA online appointment. Those who are eligible to use the courtesy lane are an exception.
2. Setting an appointment up is FREE OF CHARGE. Anyone who charges you for an appointment with the DFA is not affiliated with the department. Deal with them at your own risk.
3. Bring the original copies of your documents as well as photocopies.
4. You may set individual or group appointments using the Department’s website.
5. If you’re not seeing available online slots, it doesn’t mean they are completely booked. Refresh the website as new slots become available from time to time.
6. Slots from September to November 2019 are open from 12 PM to 9 PM, Mondays to Saturdays except holidays.
7. If you’re applying for a passport to visit another country, secure your passport first before buying a ticket.
8. Personal appearance is required for all applicants.
9. Please be at the DFA site no earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
10. When taking photos, please remove your jewelry and colored lenses, if you have any.
11. The DFA does not allow escorts to be inside the DFA premises to accompany applicants.

Requirements for a New Philippines Passport Application for Adults

1. Confirmed DFA Online Appointment through passport.gov.ph

2. Completed application form

3. Personal appearance on your chosen date and time

4. Original and photocopy of your Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) authenticated Birth Certificate, with the original printed on Security Paper

5. Local Civil Registrar copy of your Birth Certificate, in case the one from PSA isn’t clear or is unreadable

6. If you’re a married woman, bring the original and photocopy version of your Marriage Contract from PSA (on Security Paper) or Record of Marriage

7. Original and photocopy of any of the following IDs:

• Social Security System (SSS)/ Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)/ Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) Card
• Driver’s License or Student License (in card format) from the Land Transportation Office
• Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-Card
• Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License
• Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification from the Election Officer, complete with Dry Seal
• Senior Citizen ID
• Airman License (those issued from August 2016 onwards)
• Philippine Postal ID (must be issued from November 2016 onwards)
• School ID (for currently enrolled applicants or fresh graduates

Requirements for a New Philippines Passport Application for Minors

1. Confirmed DFA online appointment (only if applicable). Children below 7 are entitled to use the courtesy lane together with their parents and their minor siblings.

2. Accomplished form for Minors

3. Personal appearance by the minor and parent/authorized adult companion

4. PSA Birth Certificate or Local Civil Registrar copy of birth certificate, in case the PSA copy is unreadable

5. If there’s only one parent accompanying the child, a Marriage Certificate must be provided.

6. For unmarried parents, the mother must provide an Affidavit of Support and/or Consent if she’s not accompanying the child. You should authenticate this with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate if the document will be coming from abroad.

7. Passport or Valid Government-Issued ID of the parent as well as a photocopy

8. School ID of the minor, if applicable

Requirements for DFA Passport Renewal – ePassports

Below are the current requirements for Philippine DFA passport renewal:

1. Confirmed DFA online appointment

2. Accomplished application form

3. Personal Appearance

4. Your current ePassport, together with a photocopy of the information page (the one with your photo and details)

5. Original PSA Documents, especially those that will support the change of name (in case you had one)

• Marriage Contract
• Annotated Birth Certificate
• Annotated Marriage Contract to show changes to your marital status or any court-ordered instruction
• Death Certificate of Spouse

** If you’re a married woman who opts to keep your maiden name, you may do so as well. A Marriage Contract is no longer required.

Requirements for DFA Passport Renewal – Non ePassports

** Non-ePassports are the Brown, Green, Machine Readable (Maroon) Passports or any older Passports 

Below are the current requirements for Philippine DFA passport renewal:

1. Confirmed DFA Online Appointment through this website

2. Completed copy of the application form 

3. Personal Appearance 

4. Current passport together with a photocopy of the information page (the page where your photo is)

5. PSA copies of documents supporting change of name (if there is any) such as:

• Marriage Contract
• Annotated Birth Certificate
• Annotated Marriage Contract showing annulment/divorce/or any other court-ordered change in status
• Death Certificate of your spouse
• Any of the valid IDs together with its photocopy

** Please note that there’s no need to bring a Marriage Certificate if you’re a married woman who doesn’t want to change her Maiden Name on the records.

Who Can Use the Courtesy Lane?

1. Senior citizens (citizens over 60) with one (1) companion

** the companion has to be an immediate family member, otherwise, you’ll have to show proof of travel arrangements with the senior citizen to make use of the priority lane

2. Person with Disability (PWD) together with one (1) travel companion

3. Solo Parent (with a Solo Parent ID) and their minor children

4. Pregnant Women

5. Minors (7 years old and below) with their parents and minor siblings

6. Overseas Filipino Workers, both land-based and seafarers with any of the following to prove their status:

• A valid iDOLE Card
• Your valid contract with your employer
• A valid work visa
• Seaman’s book, stamped at the international border within 365 days from the date of your application

**OFWs can use the OFW Lane or Courtesy Lane at DFA Aseana or at any DFA Consular office you choose

** Companions of those who are using the courtesy lane are to be assessed if they choose expedited processing.

Step-By-Step – Schedule a DFA Online Appointment for Philippine passport Application

Go to passport.gov.ph

1. Click on the link that says Schedule an Appointment Online

Review the Terms and Conditions and tick on the box that says you’ve read and understood what was written above.

You may now choose if you’re applying as an individual or a group.

Note: Remember to put all your information correctly on the website. Any incorrect information may result in the delay of your passport application. Any mistake on your part may result in the refusal or cancellation of your application.

2. Region and Site Location

You’ll be redirected to the page where you can choose which region, country, and site location you’d like to apply for a passport from.

As soon as you click on your chosen DFA site, details about it will be displayed at the right side of the page. Here you’ll find the name of the office, address, and contact number.

3. DFA Online Appointment Time and Date

On the next page, choose a date and time for your DFA online appointment. Remember, you only have 15 minutes to set your appointment on this page. Otherwise, you’ll be redirected to the first page to start over again.

Once you’ve chosen the desired date, you’ll have the option to choose a particular time.

4. Personal Information

On the next page, you’ll find the personal information sheet. Remember to answer this accurately as any errors might cause a delay in your application.

5. Family Information

The following page will lead you to your family information sheet. Please answer this part truthfully.

6. Additional Information

Next, provide additional information about your application. This includes the type of application, the basis of citizenship, foreign passport holder, and your emergency contact person.

If your passport is for renewal, you’ll be asked to input your old passport’s information.

The next page will ask you for your address as well as your occupation and office address (if applicable).

7. Information Review

Once you’re done filling up the sheets, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can review all the information you supplied the website. You have the chance to edit any inaccuracies or errors you might have made while filling out.

Check all information, then tick the Captcha verification and terms and conditions boxes.

Click “confirm” to get your application secured. You’ll then be asked to choose what type of application you’re making (regular or expedited) to determine the price.

Choose and click “PROCEED TO PAYMENT”.

Take note of the reference code for making the payment.

8. Pay for Your DFA Online Appointment

Proceed to any one of these payment centers to process your application payment:

• Bayad Center
• EcPay
• Pera Hub
• PhilPost
• True Money
• Isetann
• Metro Mall
• Rustans
• SRS (San Roque Supermarket)
• Sta. Lucia Mall
• Citystate Savings Bank
• Country Builders Bank
• Luzon Development Bank
• Own Bank
• BHF Pawnshop
• Capital Pawnshop
• CBE Pawnshop
• Cebuana Lhuillier
• CVM Pawnshop
• M. Lhuillier
• Raquel Pawnshop
• Sinag Pawnshop
• Villarica Pawnshop
• Robinsons Business Centers and Department Stores
• Waltermart Department Stores
• 7-Eleven
• USCC/ Western Union
• Villarica Pawnshop

Remember, if you’re paying for multiple transactions you need to pay separately for each reference number.

Keep the payment receipt once payment has been processed.

9. DFA Online Appointment Details

After they process your payment, you’ll receive an email from the DFA containing your appointment packet. Click on the link provided on the email and print out all the files on it. You’ll have to bring these with you during your personal appearance.

Checklist of all the documents you have to bring:

• Confirmed application form, together with a barcode, appointment reference number (ARN), and e-receipt number
• 2 copies of your e-receipt

Arrive at your chosen DFA on the date and time of your pre-scheduled appointment. Make sure to bring your appointment packet as well as all the necessary documents for an application.

Additional Requirements for the Following Cases: 

Note: These are all required on top of the Core Requirements for Renewal.

Lost Valid e-Passport

• In case of a lost passport, your application will be treated as a NEW APPLICATION. Provide the same requirements as a new application.
• You’ll no longer need a copy of your Birth Certificate if a photocopy of your passport is available.
• There’s an additional 15 days clearing period for any lost valid ePassport.

Lost Expired e-Passport

** This is considered a new application already. Provide the requirements for the same document.

• Affidavit of Loss, written in English (For minors, this must be signed by the parent or guardian who’ll accompany the minor during application.)
• Penalty Fee or ₱350

Renewal of a Frequently Lost Passport

** This is counted as a new application and will need the requirements for one.

• English Police Report (For minors, this must be signed by the parent or guardian who’ll accompany the minor during application.)
• English Affidavit of Loss (For minors, this must be signed by the parent or guardian who’ll accompany the minor during application.)
• Penalty fee of ₱350

Applicant Traveled to the Country with a Travel Document

** This is counted as a new application and will require the same documents used for one as well as a DFA online appointment.

• Original copy of your travel document
• Affidavit of Explanation (For minors, this must be signed by the parent or guardian who’ll accompany the minor during application.)

Applicant Lost the Travel Document Used to Travel to the Philippines

** Will require the same things as a new application, including the appointment.

• A copy of your original travel records from the Department of Immigration
• Your Affidavit of Explanation

Damaged or Mutilated Passport

• Your Affidavit of Explanation (For minors, this must be signed by the parent or guardian who’ll accompany the minor during application.)
• Your damaged/mutilated passport
• Penalty fee of ₱350

Dual Citizen

• Online Appointment
• Government Issued IDs (you may refer to any of the valid IDs or their secondary citizenship/residence counterparts)
• Your Report of Birth or the Identification Certificate which will come from the Philippine Foreign Service Post or from the Bureau of Immigration

Naturalized Citizen

• Identification Certificate of Naturalization, to be collected from the Bureau of Immigration

Filipino Citizen by Election

• Affidavit of Election of Philippine Citizenship
• An Identification Certificate of Election to be issued by the Bureau of Immigration

Minor Without a Parent Present During Application

• Special Power of Attorney provided by the parents, stating the guardian is the designated companion of the child during application. This must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad (if applicant’s parents are abroad)
• Government-issued ID of adult companion
• Parents’ Valid ID and/or passport

Minor Traveling Without Parents

• DSWD Clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent from parents. The affidavit must be consularized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate
• ID of the authorized adult companion

Illegitimate Child in the Custody of the Mom

• Appearance of both mother and child at the satellite office
• Valid government-issued ID from the mother or the authorized adult companion
• If the mother is not present during the application, you may bring a Special Power of Attorney from her allowing the designated guardian to take charge of the child on her behalf.
• DSWD Clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent, authenticated by the Embassy or Consulate

** For those with a deceased mother/absent or unknown father, guardian and the child must still appear with a valid ID for the adult and an Affidavit of Guardianship

Minor Undergoing/ Undergone a Domestic Adoption

• Personal appearance of minor applicant and guardian
• PSA Copy of your Birth Certificate
• Valid Government-issued ID, including passport
• Court Decree of Adoption and any other documents that will prove the child’s identity

** For those with a guardian during application, you may just bring your Special Power of Attorney as well as DWD Clearance and have it authenticated by your local passport satellite office.

Minor applicant is undergoing or has undergone foreign adoption / Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB) adoption process

• 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 and document to prove the identity of the child 
• Clearance for Inter-Country Adoption
• Child Study Report
• DSWD clearance

Applicant is a Foundling and not Adopted

• Personal Appearance at the office
• PSA Certificate of Foundling
• Valid IDs
• DSWD Clearance
• Affidavit of Guardianship

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will I receive my passport?

You may refer to the passport stub or receipt so you can get an idea when you’ll be able to receive your passport.

2. Can I apply for a passport through Passport On Wheels?

Definitely! You may reach out to your local government, or any agency that hosts Passport On Wheels programs so you may apply for a passport through this method.

3. How much does it cost to apply for a passport?

For regular applications within the Philippines, it will cost you ₱950. As for expedited applications, you’ll have to pay ₱1200.

Foreign applications cost $60.

4. How long does it take to process the application for a passport?

Regular applications within and outside Metro Manila take at least 12 working days. For expedited applications within Metro Manila, you’ll have to wait for 6 working days. Provincial sites will be to speed up the application for 7 working days.

5. When can I renew my passport?

Renew your passport at least 6 months from your intended date of departure and at least 10 months before expiration.

6. Can I have my fees refunded in case I get denied?

No, all fees are non-refundable.

7. Do I have to pay for any other fees aside from those listed above?

The fees are inclusive of convenience fees. There might be additional processing fees for e-payments and if you pay through a payment center.

In case of a missing or mutilated ePassport, there is an additional ₱350 fee (this is only for {Philippine transactions, fees are different for transactions abroad)

8. I paid extra, will I get my change?

Any extra payments will be forfeited so pay the exact amount.

At the same time, if you pay less than what’s indicated, it won’t be processed.

9. How many times can I use a reference number?

You may only use a reference number once. Do not try to pay again in case you make an error upon processing your payment. Contact DFA’s office immediately at (02) 234 3488.

10. Can I pay using my credit card/debit card/check?

No, you must pay for the application in cash only.

11. Is there a cut off for using the courtesy lane?

This depends on the satellite office that you’ll be visiting. They might set a cut-off time for courtesy lane applicants.

12. Is it against the law to process my DFA Online Application through fixers?

YES. Fixers are illegal and you would be prosecuted and barred from applying for a passport if caught.

Also, please remember that the only legitimate appointments are those that you set using DFA’s website.

13. Oh, no! I made a mistake when I was filling out the DFA application form. What should I do?

You may let the processor know that you made a mistake so you can change it on the day of your scheduled application.

14. I can’t find an appointment on the online calendar. What should I do?

Check the opening slots for the next 3 months. They are made available from 12 PM- 9 PM, Mondays to Saturdays except during holidays.

15. Is there a way for me to cancel my DFA Online Appointment? Yes! You may visit passport.gov.ph to cancel your appointment. It looks something like this:

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