Guide On How To Get A Philippine Passport for First Timers
I got my Philippine Passport a few years ago without the intention of flying out of the country. So, here’s our guide on how to get a Philippine Passport for First-timers.

The purpose was to add identification credentials as I never had enough government ids. But the moment I got my own passport, it changed me that I found cheap tickets to fly to some Southeast Asian countries. I said I have to be serious about being a digital nomad flying in and out of the country.
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- How to Schedule a DFA Online Appointment to Get a Philippines Passport
- 3 Ways on How to get a PSA Birth Certificate – Walk In and Online for Pinoys Abroad
I processed my passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs – Cebu in Pacific Mall, Mandaue City. I woke up at 3 AM and had to get there before 6 AM because of the priority number. I was able to process my passport at 2 PM. Since I wasn’t in a hurry I chose the regular processing.
Here’s the guide on how you can process to get your Philippine Passport:
Table of Contents
Requirements for a Philippine Passport
- Confirmed Online Appointment
- Personal Appearance during Appointment
- Application Form – done online
- Original PSA Birth Certificate
- Original PSA Marriage Certificate – for married females using spouse’s last name
- Local Civil Registrar copy of Birth Certificate – if PSA Birth Certificate can’t be read
- One Valid ID (with one photocopy)
Valid IDs Accepted
- SSS Card
- GSIS Card
- UMID Card
- LTO Driver’s License
- LTO Student Permit – if in card format.
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-Card
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID
- Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC main office or Regional Offices – along with NBI Clearance or Police 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)issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) February 2020 onwards
- School ID OR Certificate of Enrollment with a photo of the minor and dry seal of school may be presented – for minors
Philippine Passport Fees
- PHP 950 – Regular processing for 12 working days
- PHP 1200 – Express processing for 7 working days (6 in case of applying at a Consular Office in Metro Manila)
Step-by-step Guide for on How to Get a Philippine Passport for First Timers
STEP 1: Go to this website to create an appointment. You can read this article to know more about getting an Appointment.
STEP 2: Type the details asked.
STEP 3: Review your application.
STEP 4: Pay the fee once you proceed to payment. It will cost PHP 950 for regular processing and PHP 1,200 for Express. Don’t forget to take note of your reference number.
Pay it within the day or the next (as early as possible). You can pay through (some may have convenience fees):
- Credit or Debit Card
- 7-11
- Bayed Center
- EcPay
- Pera Hub
- Robinson’s Business Center and Department Stores
- USCC (Western Union)
- Villarica Pawnshop
- Waltermart Department Store
STEP 5: Once you have paid, you can check your e-mail. You may have to print the following:
- Checklist with your indicated schedule
- Confirmed Application Form with the bar code, appointment reference number (ARN), and receipt number
- 2 copies of the receipt
STEP 6: Bring all the documents required on your appointment day. It’s better to be 30 minutes early for your appointment.
Dress smartly as you are entering a government office. Your photos are also captured – be sure that you won’t have contact lenses, jewelry, etc.
STEP 7: Your fingerprints and photos are taken. The officer will also let you check the details on your passport. Make sure you review it – if ever there’s a mistake you didn’t notice, you’ll have to pay for another one and go through the process again.
STEP 8: Claim your passport. You’ll need to bring your receipt. Once you have it, check if all the data are correct and affix your signature. You can also use courier services or a representative (with a Special Power of Attorney.)
Frequently Answered Questions on How to Get a Philippine Passport for First Timers
1. I have a mistake in my application form. Can my appointment be canceled?
If you have already paid, you can’t be refunded. But you can have it corrected based on your documents during your appointment. Don’t forget to tell the officer about it.
I have personally experienced getting my birthplace wrong (I entered my hometown rather than my birthplace.) The staff changed it to the correct one.
2. Can I cancel my appointment?
Yes, you can. However, you won’t be given a refund. You can cancel here or wait for the day of your appointment to be pass.
3. Can I reschedule my appointment?
Yes, you can reschedule once. You can only schedule your weekday appointment on another weekday. It’s also subject to the availability of slots.
4. What if I don’t go?
You can’t get a refund.
5. Is there a courtesy lane?
Yes, there is for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, minors (7 and below), Solo Parents, and OFWs. Usually, you will pay the expedited prices. Currently, during this pandemic, you’ll need to e-mail [email protected] or online at passport.gov.ph.
6. How many years is the visa valid?
It’s valid for 10 years.
7. What do I do to renew my passport?
You can read this article: How You Can Get a DFA Appointment for Philippine Passport Renewal
8. What do I do if I want to change my passport using my new surname since I got married?
You can read this article: Philippine Passport Renewal – How To Change of Surname in Passport Due To Marriage
9. What do I do if my passport is lost or stolen?
You can read this article: What To Do if Your Philippine Passport is Lost or Stolen?
That’s our guide on how you can get your Philippine Passport for First-Timers. All sources are from the DFA website, and the links may change without prior notice. In case you have problems, you can contact DFA via their Facebook page or 08-861-9400 or 02-8234-3488.

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Hi,
Thanks for the info.
I’m an American citizen (holding a US passport), but born in the Philippines.
I’m currently residing in Thailand.
I don’t have my birth certificate from PI; so is this going to be a problem to get
a PI passport?
I’m going to Manila in April. Do you think I can get both my birth certificate and PI passport by the time I arrive in April?
I hope you can help.
Thanks again.
BK
You can get a PSA Birth Certificate online and try sending it to your relative’s address in the Philippines.
Hi valid po ba philhealth id??
Hello po here’s my supporting document po. Sss ID , PSA , Voters Certification and Baptismal maapproved kaya ako?
Paano po makakuha ng Voter’s Certification para sa pagkuha ng Passport?
Bakit Hindi naaccept ang alumni ? ko
Kasi hindi naman sya official government document eh!
Sir/ ma’am pwede po bang kahit walang form 137 sa requirements for applying passport
Sir, i have only nso, but no valid ids. Ang meron lang po ako ay alumni id, tor and philhealth. Makukuha po ba ang passport ko?
kumusta po yung passport niyo? nakuha mo po? kasi pareha po tayo eh? only NSO lang po ako
hi valid po ba ang employment ID
HI, tomorrow na appointment ko my valid IDs are NBI, Alumni ID, TIN ID, NSO, SSS E-1 Form, and employment ID. Okay na po ba yun?
Good day. Ask ko Lang po I have .voter’s certificate.NBI clearance. Old employment ID.PSA.E1-FORM SSS.OK NA po ba Yun para makakuha ng passport?
Valid po ba high school id khit di na po aq nagaaral..waiting for reply
Hindi na po.
Hindi po.
Pwede lang po ba Local Birth Certificate ang dadalhin, hindi po yung NSO?
pde ba postal.reply asap
Hello
May i ask if my requirements i have now is accepted to get a passport . I have NBI , TIN ID ,Postal ID, PSA birthcertificate and Old ID college. I have also NSO birthcertificate. Yun lang po ang meron ako. Pwede na po ba yon para makapg apply na po ako for appointment.
Hello ask ko Lang po Kung Kung ok na ba tong mga req ko for passport I have driver license , tin I’d, nbi , ska nso ??
ihave 2names.example;ruthrose on my psa birth cert.then in my marriege contract my name have space ;ruth rose,also my voters id was same of my marriege contract,but my nbi ,student license was same name of my birth cert,if i take affidavitfor my marriege contract also with my voters id, tht have proven tht person is only1.
u tink i dont have problem to have passport?
Hi pwede na po ba
Philhealth I’d.postal I’d.collage old I.d with TOR .NSO and marriage certificate.
I also have sss E1 form
ok po yun
bkt po d aq nka kuha ng passport. meron aman aq nbi.marrage cotract. voters certificate.birth certificate
ok n b yong college id at barangay clearance at psa birth certifecate?
hi. ask ko lng ano p daw need ila bkit di ka nabigyan?
Hi, i only have supporting documents like NBI Clearance, TOR & PSA/NSO birth certificate.
Ang photo ID ko lang is postal ID. Is it okay? My appointment is on May 7.
hi po! my tanong lang po ako. does dfa still accepts bir id ? then instead na nbi,ipresent ko, police clearance nalang? tomorrow po appointment ko.
Hello? Ask ko lang po kung nakakuha ka na ng passport?
Hi, Tanong ko lang ano po requirements pag late registration ?
At ang last name ko kasi nabago so lahat po ng mga id’s ko nabago kaso iyong sa school records lng po di nabago ang apelyido po don ay don pa po sa dati nagpakasal kasi ang parents ko last 2 yrs ago .
Thank you
Hi,
Do they really ask for you to have at least 3 supporting documents? Which ones have you used/submitted?
3 Tanong
1. Pwede ba School ID lang ang valid ID ko eto kasi ID sa MICHA Graduate ako ng Culinary Arts 2013 pa ?
2.Pwede ba Student License lang
3.Pwede ba kahit isang Primary ID lang ang dalhin
Eto ang mga Requirements ko NSO,NBI,Police Clearance,Barangay Clearance,School ID ng MICHA,yung Student License ko kukuha pa lang.
Hi!!! Our appointment for passport renewal is on December 16, 2017, I was wondering if the passport that we will get will be covered with the 10year validity?
I hope someone knows the answer. I tried contacting their hotlines but I can’t reached them. Thank you in advance!
is this blog still active? im still a student and first time to get a passport what i have in me ay school id, NBI and Police Clearance plus my NSO is it okay? thank you. my apointment is on dec 28, 2017
YEP! Okay!
Hi. Is this blog still active? I just want to ask if it’s valid if I use my old college ID but it is a little blurry because I have no any other government valid ID’s, I have an appointment tomorrow at SM megamall,I’m worried that they may not accept it. Btw I’m only 18 years old and I am going there alone
No, you need other valid ids. they have a list and an old college id is not allowed.
Old college ID is not allowed? -_- Is that for realz?
All depends on DFA official. They are often reluctant.
My friend waited for passport in DFA Angeles for 9 months as they forced her to bring original SSS ID (UMID). That time SSS office was lack of plastic cards, so they issued her temporary certificates. Nothing helped, DFA clerks always replied he: you must wait wait wait.
I haven’t any official ID except LTO Student Driving Permit (without any picture), birth certificate NSO and original and just old school ID. Above all I had mistake in my name spelling in birth certificate. Fortunately DFA clerk was neighbor of my classmate and for a small bribe he gave me advice: to write affidavit in notary … and my passport was issued in 20 days.
hi… ung notary ba applicable den sa voters? mali kase spelling ng name sa voters, but other requirements ok nmn. we have it corrected n sa comelec pero they still wanted ung vrr but after 3 months p daw as per comelec.
ask ko lang pwede po ba ung student driver’s license pag apply ng passport ngayon 2016? ang balak ko po ipresent, NSO, student driver’s license, NBI, police clearance, Brgy. clearance. pwede na po kaya? Slamat
@jeane, haha you should! travel na out of the country! 😀
San makakiha ng voters certificate?