DFA Passport Appointment, Application, and Renewal [Complete Guide] (2023) (2023)

A Philippine passport is your ticket to the world. It’s the most important document you’ll need if you wish to study, work, or travel overseas. It’s also a powerful identification card that you can use in transactions with government and private offices.

However, getting or renewing a Philippine passport through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) can be tricky. DFA passport appointment slots are limited. Securing an appointment now feels like winning the lottery due to the shortage of slots in the online scheduling system.

But a passport is a passport and we all need it to go abroad. Reduce the stress of getting a Philippine passport with our comprehensive guide to DFA passport appointment, application, and renewal.

How to Get a Passport in the Philippines: 5 Steps to Take

Step 1: Schedule a DFA Passport Appointment Online

All Philippine passport applicants—whether for new application or renewal—must book an appointment online with the DFA before going to one of its locations.

Exempted from setting a DFA passport appointment are the following applicants who can go directly to thecourtesy lane at the DFA Manila ASEANA site:^[1]

• Children aged seven and below with their parents and minor siblings
• Pregnant women (with a medical certificate for those not visibly pregnant)
• Senior citizens with senior citizen ID and one immediate family member
• Solo parents with a solo parent IDand their minor children
• Persons with disabilities with PWD ID and one immediate family member
• OFWs with OFW e-Card, work visa, or POEA-authenticated employment contract
• Exceptional and Emergency Cases. There are situations when the Courtesy Lane Privileges may be extended to applicants upon due approval of the written request of any of the following government officials:
  • DFA Secretary
  • Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Undersecretary
  • Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs

Important notes:

• Since March 14, 2022, the DFA Manila ASEANA Courtesy Lane has been accommodating only up to 300 qualified and fully vaccinated walk-in applicants. Alternatively, you may book an online appointment via passport.gov.ph. Make sure to select "DFA MANILA (ASEANA-COURTESY LANE)" as your passport processing site.
• The adult companion of senior citizens or PWDs may also avail of Courtesy Lane privileges, provided that they are the applicant’s immediate family member or travel companion.
• The senior citizen or PWD’s immediate family member (i.e., spouse, adult children, or adult sibling only) is required to present proof of relationship with the applicant (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
• The senior citizen or PWD’s travel companion is required to present proof of travel (e.g., hotel booking or confirmed flight). Likewise, they're required to state the reason or justification for travel (e.g., The travel companion is a medical escort or nurse).

How to Make a Passport Appointment Online

1. Access the online appointment system via the DFA website at www.dfa.gov.ph and then click on the "Online Passport Appointment" link. But it will be faster if you go straight to the Schedule an Appointment page^[2] at passport.gov.ph/appointment.
2. Start an individual or group appointment.
3. Choose a DFA consular office for your application or renewal of passport.
4. Select your preferred date and time.
5. Fill out the online passport form.
6. Pick your preferredpassport processing type (regular/expedited processing).

Upon submitting the online passport application or renewal form, the DFA will e-mail a reference number for the passport processing fee payment.

Things to Remember Before Scheduling Your DFA Passport Appointment

• Online appointments are available only to Filipinos living in the Philippines. Citizens based abroad can head to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate to file their passport application.
• The DFA passport appointment system is free to use. Payment to obtain a passport appointment slot is illegal, and the PNP will run after anyone who's doing this and advertising this kind of service on Facebook and other online accounts. So avoid dealing with fixers. Remember that you need to pay the passport processing fee only.
• Passport appointments for first-time application and renewal are limited. You’re lucky if you're able to secure a slot on your first try. So be earnest and don’t give up! Check out this article’s FAQ section to know what you need to do in case there are no slots available.
• Choose a consular office closest to your place to save time.Check the complete list of DFA sites on the DFA website.^[3]
• Choose an earlier schedule, ideally in the morning, to avoid long lines.
• Use a valid and working Gmail or Yahoo e-mail address. Other e-mail accounts like MSN, Hotmail, and Outlook are incompatible with the DFA passport appointment system.
• Double-check your application details. The DFA reminds everyone that incorrect or inaccurate information may result in the forfeiture of their passport application.
• In some cases, you can secure an online passport appointment by e-mailing your consular office. If you're traveling with infants, senior citizens, PWDs, etc., you can try sending an e-mail to your consular office^[3] to set an appointment and proceed directly to the Courtesy Lane in the DFA or DFA-TOPS.

Step 2: Pay the Passport Processing Fee

With the DFA ePayment Portal implementation, applicants can pay the passport fees before making a personal appearance at the DFA office.

How to Pay for DFA Passport Appointment

Pay your passport processing feesthrough the DFA's authorized payment partners:

Payment Centers

• 2GO
• Bayad Center Branded Stores and Authorized Partners
• Bayad Center Kiosk
• Bayad Center Retail Machine
• Clothers Asia Corp.
• DA5
• EBIZ
• ECPay
• LBC
• Netopia
• PERAHUB
• PHILPOST
• True Money

Malls

• Isetann
• Landmark
• Metro Malls
• Robinsons Business Center
• Robinsons Department Store
• Rustans
• SRS (San Roque Supermarket)
• Sta. Lucia Mall

Convenience Store: 7-Eleven

Banks

• Citystate Savings Bank
• Country Builders Bank
• Luzon Development Bank
• Own Bank

Remittance Center: USSC

Pawnshops

• BHF Pawnshop
• Capital Pawnshop
• CBE Pawnshop
• Cebuana Lhuillier
• CVM Pawnshop
• M.Lhuillier
• Raquel Pawnshop
• Sinag Pawnshop
• Villarica Pawnshop

E-Wallets and Other Online Payment Channels

• Bayad Online
• Coins.ph
• GCash
• J6W / Posible.net
• Maya
• Touchpay

Once your payment has been processed, the DFA will send you a confirmation e-mail with a passport application packet that contains the following:

• Checklist of passport requirements with your DFA appointment schedule
• Confirmed DFA passport application form
• Two copies of the eReceipt

Print all the documents in A4-size paper and don’t forget to bring them on the day of your DFA passport appointment.

Things to Remember Before Paying the Passport Fee

• Pay the exact amount in cash (₱950 for regular processing or ₱1,200 for expedited processing).
• Take note of your reference number and total amount due (₱950/₱1,200 processing fee + ₱50 convenience fee per transaction). You might be also charged a PRF fee of ₱250.
• You can use the reference number only once. Contact the DFA helpdesk immediately at (02) 8234-3488 if you made a payment by mistake.
• Pay separately for each reference number (for group appointments with multiple reference numbers). The DFA allows only one transaction per reference number.
• Your DFA passport appointment confirmation will be e-mailed only after paying the required fees. Also, you'll receive your passport application packet via e-mail only when you pay online upon (and not after) booking your appointment. So it's better to pay the passport fee immediately while booking your appointment rather than pay later after the booking.
• If the DFA appointment is not paid forwithin 24 hours after booking, your appointment will be automatically canceled. When this happens, try booking a new appointment schedule (and make sure to pay right away, so you'll receive your application packet via e-mail immediately).
• All fees are non-refundable. If you fail to show up for your confirmed appointment, your fee will be forfeited. The same rule applies to applicants who cancel their appointment, applicants whose application is rejected due to inconsistency and inaccuracy of their information, and applicants who present discrepant and/or fake documents.

Step 3: Prepare the Passport Requirements

Is it your first time applying for a Philippine passport? Secure the following requirements before going to the DFA office. Applicants with incomplete requirements are automatically rejected, so better to keep a checklist of the following DFA passport requirements.

Valid ID (original and photocopy)

You can bring any of the following valid IDs. To secure your application, prepare at least two from the list.

• Philippine passport
• SSS ID
• GSIS ID
• UMID card
• Voter’s ID (or Voter’s Certificate issued by the COMELEC main office in Intramuros, Manila)
• Driver’s License (LTO Student Permit may be accepted if it's in card format.)
• PhilSys ID (National ID)
• Senior Citizen ID
• School ID (for students and fresh graduates)
• PRC ID
• Postal ID (issued November 2016 onwards)
• OWWA E-Card
• PNP Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
• Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards)
• Residence Card or any other ID that warrants your Philippine citizenship (for OFWs or Filipinos based in other countries)
• For minor applicants: School ID or Certificate of Enrolment bearing the applicant’s photo and the school’s dry seal

Important notes:

• Applicants who are based overseas are allowed to use their host government-issued ID, which shows their Philippine citizenship (e.g., Residence Card)
• The IDs to be presented should be readable and untampered. The information they contain should be consistent with what’s in the documents presented upon application.
• The DFA requires you to present the original copy and photocopy of the IDs.
• Courtesy lane walk-in applicants are required to present proof of vaccination. The DFA accommodates only fully vaccinated applicants.

Birth Certificate (original and photocopy)

Secure an original copy of your birth certificate authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). You can conveniently order one onlineand have it delivered to your home or office address.

You can also present a Certified True Copy (CTC) of your birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and duly authenticated by the PSA.

Supporting Documents

Are you a naturalized Filipino citizen? Or maybe you have dual citizenship or no birth certificate? If so, you need to present additional documents to the DFA.

Married women who want to use their spouse's surname must submit an original copy of their marriage certificate issued by the PSA. No need to do so for those who'd like to keep their maiden name. For this, ensure you have the complete list of DFA passport requirements.

Step 4: Show Up on Your DFA Passport Appointment Schedule

Arrive at your assigned DFA site 30 minutes before your appointment schedule, as latecomers and those coming in too early aren't accommodated. Also, observe the proper dress code. Individuals wearing sandos, spaghetti straps, shorts, tubes, sandals, or slippers may not continue their appointment.

Here are some other reminders on your day of DFA passport appointment:

• Don’t wear earrings and contact lenses. They’re not allowed during data capture.
• The DFA strictly imposes the “No Escort” policy (unless the applicant is a senior citizen or PWD). Escorts will be kept from entering the DFA consular premises.

DFA Passport Application/Renewal Steps

1. Present your DFA passport appointment packet and requirements to the Application Counter. You will then receive a queue number.
2. Wait for your number to be called. Proceed to the Processing Area and present your documents.
3. Have your photo and biometrics taken at the Encoding Section.
4. If you prefer to have the passport delivered to your home or office, go to the Delivery Counter and pay an additional fee of ₱150.

When you're done with all the passport application or renewal steps, you'll be issued a stub or receipt that indicates yourpassport's tentative release date.

Step 5. Claim Your Passport or Wait for Delivery

Visit the DFA consular office where you filed your application and present your receipt to claim your passport. If you've lost your passport receipt, you need to present a notarized affidavit of loss.

You can assign someone else to pick up your passport if you're not available to do it. The DFA requires an authorization letter (for immediate family members) or Special Power of Attorney (for non-immediate family) and a photocopy of the authorized representative's valid ID before issuing the passport.

Don't delay claiming your passport. The DFA cancels unclaimed passports after six months.

If you chose to have your passport delivered, be sure someone is at home to receive it.

Once you get your new passport, check if all details in it are correct, and then put your signature on the third page.

FAQs on DFA Passport Appointment, Application, and Renewal

1. Is there an available slot for a passport appointment?

If you need to apply for a passport, here's good news: the DFA recently opened around 800,000 appointment slots across its consular offices and temporary off-site passport service sites in the Philippines.^[4]

As of this writing, however, there's no information from the DFA about the number of passport appointment slots that are opened in a day.

2. What time does the DFA open slots for appointment in 2022?

For 2022, the DFA said there's "no exact time when the slots will be opened to avoid overloading the system."^[5] With that in mind, you can try checking the passport appointment system at off-peak hours like midnight or dawn to check for available slots.

3. There are no available DFA passport appointment slots. What should I do?

If you don’t see available passport appointment slots online, it doesn’t mean that they have already been taken up. The DFA advises you to refresh the page, as appointments become available from time to time.

4. Can I go directly to DFA without an appointment?

No. The DFA doesn't allow walk-in applicants at the moment. Only "exceptional and emergency cases" are accommodated for walk-in passport application or renewal at the DFA Manila ASEANA Courtesy Lane and other Consular Offices in the Philippines.

If your overseas trip is not an emergency, you should still schedule an online passport appointment with the DFA.

5. I need to travel in a hurry for an emergency abroad. Can I apply for an urgent passport online?

If you need to go on an emergency trip, you may make a request to the DFA for your passport application or renewal to be accommodated as soon as possible.

Those in Metro Manila can e-mail their request to oca.cl@dfa.gov.ph or oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph. If you're outside NCR, contact the nearest DFA Consular Office.^[3]

Make sure to present or attach in your e-mail your proof of emergency or urgent travel such as a medical certificate, valid working visa, school acceptance letter, etc.

6. What are the DFA Consular Offices near me?

To find the Consular Office location and contact information in your city or province, check the DFA's Consular Office Directory at consular.dfa.gov.ph/directory.

For your quick reference, here are the addresses and contact details of some DFA passport processing sites in the Philippines.

📍DFA Manila ASEANA

• Address: ASEANA Business Park, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. cor. Bradco Ave., Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City
• Operational hours (passport application services): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Passport appointment hotline: (02) 8234-3488
• Passport releasing hotline: 0939-320-0569
• E-mail address:
  • General inquiries: oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph
  • Apostillization/authentication of a Philippine-issued document: authentication.inquiry@oca.dfa.gov.ph

📍DFA Consular Office Legazpi

• Address: 3/F Pacific Mall-Legazpi, F. Imperial St., cor. Circumferential Rd., Brgy. Capantawan, Landco Business Park, Legazpi City
• Operational hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contact number: (052) 480-3000
• E-mail address: dfa.colegazpi@oca.dfa.gov.ph

📍DFA Consular Office Davao

• Address: SM City Davao, Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland Subdivision, Brgy. Matina, Davao City
• Operational hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contact number: (082) 285-4885
• E-mail address: davao.rco@dfa.gov.ph

📍DFA Consular Office Cagayan de Oro

• Address: 5/F BPO Tower, SM Downtown Premier, Claro M. Recto Ave. cor Osmeña Street, Cagayan de Oro City
• Operational hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contact number: (088) 327-4272
• E-mail address:
  • Administrative concerns: cdo.rco@dfa.gov.ph
  • Authentication concerns: authentication.dfacdo@gmail.com
  • Client concerns: concerns.dfacdo@gmail.com
  • Passport releasing concerns: dfacdoc.releasing@gmail.com

📍DFA Consular Office Paniqui

• Address: Waltermart Paniqui, McArthur Highway, Brgy. Estacion, Paniqui, Tarlac
• Operational hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Contact numbers: (045) 606-3581 | 0917-816-8629
• E-mail address: passportservicepaniqui2@gmail.com

📍DFA Consular Office Angeles

• Address: 3/F Marquee Mall, Pulung Maragul, Angeles City, Pampanga
• Operational hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contact numbers: (045) 304-0193 | 0922-497-4263
• E-mail address:
  • Administrative concerns: angeles.rco@dfa.gov.ph
  • Courtesy Lane Facility: info.coangeles@gmail.com / rco-angeles@oca.dfa.gov.ph
  • Passport releasing concerns: dfaangeles.releasingsection@gmail.com

7. How to cancel or reschedule a DFA passport appointment?

Visit the DFA’s View Appointment page on its website to view, reschedule, or cancel your application.^[6] You’ll be required to input your appointment code and e-mail address to access the records.

Note that when you cancel your appointment, the passport processing fee will be forfeited, and you’ll not receive a refund.

8. Do I still need to book an appointment if I get my passport through a travel agency?

Yes, you're still required to secure a DFA passport appointment on your own. Travel agencies can no longer get appointment slots for their clients.

9. Can I book my appointment via DFA’s Facebook page?

No. DFA passport appointments cannot be booked on Facebook or DFA’s other social media platforms. The DFA reminds everyone that the appointments not made through www.passport.gov.ph are not legitimate and will not be honored.

10. How do I renew my passport?

DFA passport renewal has the same process as new passport applications, except that you need to bring your old/expired passportwith a photocopy of its data page (the second page with your photo and personal information) on the day of your appointment. Birth certificates and valid IDs are not required for the renewal of a passport.

11. Is NBI clearance accepted as a valid ID for passport application?

No. The DFA considers the NBI clearance as just a supporting document and not a valid ID by itself.

Also, the DFA doesn't accept the following IDs and documents:

• Police clearance
• Barangay ID/Barangay clearance
• TIN card
• Pag-IBIG ID
• PhilHealth ID
• Company ID
• SSS E-1 form
• IBP ID
• Official receipt of the driver's license
• LTO student permit in paper format

12. What is the PRF fee in DFA passport fees?

The PRF stands for the passport revolving fund. Under the Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 8239), the PRF fee is a service fee charged to applicants for the "processing and issuance of passports requiring special consideration, waiver or issuance beyond regular office hours."

Also, under the passport law, the DFA collects the PRF fee, which is not more than ₱250, for the "improvement of its passporting and consular services and other Department services except travel and transportation allowances and expenses."

13. How long does it take to process a passport in the Philippines?

If you’ve applied at the Consular Offices in Metro Manila, the regular processing and releasing of passports take 12 working days and six working days for expedited processing.

If you’ve applied at the offices outside Metro Manila, the regular processing and releasing of passports take 12 working days. For rush or expedited applications, expect your passport within seven working days.

Individuals based abroad should expect their passports in four to six weeks.
Take into account that these delivery timetables don’t include courier delivery time.

14. How long can I use my passport?

New Philippine passports have a 10-year validity,^[7] under Republic Act 10928, a law implemented by the administration in early 2018.

15. I did not receive a reference number from DFA. What should I do?

If you can't pay for your appointment because you're missing your reference number, double-check your spam and junk folders. Make sure you used an active Yahoo or Gmail account as well—the DFA online appointment website is not optimized for e-mails with a different domain.

For further assistance, contact the DFA hotline at (02) 8234-3488 or e-mail oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph or passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph.

16. I never received a confirmation e-mail for my passport appointment. What should I do?

According to the DFA, delays in the transmission of confirmation e-mails were likely caused by the overloading of servers, compounded by the late remittance of payments made through the over-the-counter payment mode.^[8]

Check your spam or junk folder as well. You can follow up via e-mail at oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph if you still haven't received the confirmation e-mail after two days.

Moreover, if you receive your confirmation e-mail/application packet late or after your scheduled appointment, you may coordinate with the consular office for a new schedule, which is usually within 30 days from the receipt of the e-mail from the DFA.

Note: Only successfully paid booked online appointments will be confirmed and receive the application packet. If you didn't receive any payment acknowledgment or reference code, this means there's no confirmed passport appointment.

17. I lost my passport. What should I do?

In case of a lost or stolen passport, you’ll still need to have an appointment with the DFA. You’ll have to submit the documents required for first-time passport applicants. This time, though, you must submit a Police Report (which must be in English) and an Affidavit of Loss.

In case of a lost expired passport, you’ll only submit an Affidavit of Loss; you’re no longer required to submit a Police Report.

Remember that you have a 15-day clearing period prior to the processing of your replacement passport application. The DFA also imposes a penalty worth ₱350 for lost and mutilated passports.

18. How do I check the status of my online passport application?

You can verify the status of your passport application 48 hours after it's processed through the Passport Tracker on the Passport Appointment System website.

Simply go to tracker.passport.gov.ph, enter your Application Reference Number (found in your computer-generated receipt) or your full name, and click the Search button. The system will then display your passport status.

19. What apostille requirements should I submit to the DFA?

The DFA apostille requirements you have to submit will depend on the Philippine document for authentication and use abroad.

For example, if you'll have your NBI Clearance apostillized, you'll have to submit the original NBI-issued document with a dry seal (not the personal copy).

For the full list of apostille requirements, check the DFA Office of Consular Affairs website.^[9]

20. How do I make an appointment for apostille in DFA?

To apply for an Apostille certificate, you'll be required to book an online appointment.

Here's how to schedule a DFA apostille appointment:

1. Access the Apostille Appointment & Verification System via co.dfaapostille.ph/dfa.
2. Select "Schedule an Appointment" and then "Create Account."
3. Fill out the online form.
4. Verify your account via e-mail.
5. Once your account has been successfully created, log in using your registered e-mail address and password.
6. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
7. Select your applicant type (Document Owner or Authorized Representative).
8. Type the number of applicant/s.
9. Fill out the online form.
10. Upload the soft copy of the DFA apostille requirements.
11. Select your preferred apostille appointment schedule and click the Confirm button.
12. Review your apostille application summary. If everything is correct, click the Generate Appointment button. You'll then receive an appointment letter via e-mail.
13. Print your confirmed appointment letter and all the e-mail attachments. You'll present these documents at the appointment verification counter on your scheduled date and time.

Final Thoughts

Securing a DFA passport appointment can be challenging. But it’s gotten a lot trickier because of the changes and adjustments the DFA has to adopt due to the pandemic.

Nevertheless, new slots are being opened to accommodate more applicants. With that, there’s a chance that your application will be smooth and easy. Follow the DFA on Facebook or visit its website from time to time to get updates on passport applications.

Sources:

• ^[1] Courtesy Lane Facility Availment
• ^[2]DFA Passport Appointment website
• ^[3] Consular Office directory
• ^[4] DFA opened 800,000 new passport appointment slots, exec says (GMA News Online, September 2022)
• ^[5]DFA to 'gradually load' passport application appointment slots in 2022 (Manila Bulletin, December 2021)
• ^[6] DFA View Appointment page
• ^[7]10-year passport validity begins January 2018(Rappler, 2017)
• ^[8] DFA says sorry as passport applicants complain of missing confirmation receipt for online payments (BusinessMirror, November 2021)
• ^[9] List of DFA Apostille Requirements (DFA Office of Consular Affairs)