Post by Maya D.
This link has very comprehensive details about applying and renewing Philippine passport:
I also want to share my own experience when I renewed my passport:
01/14/2018 - I finally secured an appointment slot through the official website (https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment)
I
was able to get it after weeks of checking the site regularly even
during midnight hours, that’s when a few dates opened up and I booked a
slot right away.
Reserving
an appointment online is free but I admit I was tempted to book through
a travel agency instead because I was getting really frustrated and I
was worried that I might not secure an appointment online. Luckily, I
opted to be much more patient instead and it paid off!
*Checking
the website after, I can see that it’s better to book anytime after
12pm. For some reason, there are slots during this time and usually
there are none during afternoons and at night.
01/29/2018 - Passport day! My appointment is on 10am at DFA Manila - Aseana. I arrived at exactly 9:20am.
*It’s
better to get there an hour before your scheduled time but not more
than 2 hours because they’re not gonna let you in if you’re too early.
When I arrived at the entrance, there was a guy in the other line and he
was told by the guard to come back later since his appointment time is
1pm.
The
guard at the entrance checked my printed application form (for
appointment date and time) and a valid ID (I used my digitized postal
ID). I was let in and told to sit at the waiting area, at the right
side. There are chairs and 2 signs (one for 10am and the other for
11am). I sat at the area where the 10am sign was placed. I, along with
other applicants, waited and a few minutes before 10am we were told to
line up and we entered the building.
Next
step is the verification process where officers are gonna check if you
have a valid online appointment on that day. After, we lined up again
and told to proceed to Door 1, which is at the back of the building. We
went up the 2nd floor
where we sat again and waited for another verification process, this
time it’s for the documents for passport application and renewal.
*There’s a separate verification area for OFWs.
My
verification process took less than 5 minutes since I’m only renewing
my passport. The officer didn’t even check my IDs or any of the
supporting documents I brought (Police clearance, NBI clearance, NSO
birth certificate and Transcript of Records)
*I brought a lot of supporting documents just in case.
*I
also noticed that a few applicants (new passport) were turned down
because they lacked necessary requirements (mostly a valid ID). They
were advised to come back again after securing their requirements.
The
officer only asked for my current passport. After checking he punched
it to render it invalid and he also asked if I wanted my passport to be
processed regular or expedited. I chose regular since I don’t need it
right away.
Passport Fees: https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/passport-fees
I
was given a piece of paper with my passport processing details and told
to proceed to the Payment area next. I lined up, paid 950php and I was
given the receipt. Next, I went to a table next to the Encoding area to
get a number. I sat and waited for my turn which took about 20 minutes.
*There were a lot of applicants on that day, there were not enough chairs in the waiting area.
During
the encoding process, my picture was taken so were my fingerprints and
signature. And the officer had me checked my personal details to make
sure everything was correct. The whole process took less than 5 minutes.
Last step I did was to proceed to the Delivery area next to the Payment
area so I could have my passport delivered.
*This is optional and you could just opt to pick up your passport in the DFA office once it’s available.
I
chose to have it delivered since I went through the Releasing area
before and saw a lot of people there and thought it was such a hassle
and since the delivery fee is only 150php. I paid that amount and after
checking that the officer inputted my contact details and address
correctly, I was done!
The entire process took less than 2 hours and I was out of there before 12pm.
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