Application for a New Philippine Passport After an Unclaimed Passport
(Legal-practical guide, updated to June 22 2025)
1. Key Take-away in One Sentence
If the passport you originally applied for was never claimed within six (6) months from its release date, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will automatically cancel and physically dispose of the booklet, and you must start over with a “fresh” passport application that carries (1) the standard requirements plus (2) an Affidavit of Unclaimed Passport/Non-Claim and (3) payment of the “No-Show/Unclaimed Passport penalty fee.”
2. Legal Foundations
| Source | Core Provision | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Act No. 8239 (“Philippine Passport Act of 1996”) | Sec. 4(b) vests DFA with authority to issue, cancel and dispose of passports | Statutory basis for declaring an unclaimed passport “void” |
| Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8239 | Secs. 41–43: DFA may destroy unclaimed booklets | Lays out six-month holding period |
| DFA Passport Manual (2023 edition) | Part V ¶ 37–42 | Operational detail: “Unclaimed passports are retained for 180 calendar days then shredded; applicant must reapply with affidavit and penalty.” |
| COA Circular 2012-003 | Requires collection of fees for wasted accountable forms | Authority to impose “No-Show” penalty (P350) |
| Data Privacy Act of 2012 | Governs storage/destruction of personal data in old booklet | Explains why booklet is shredded, not returned |
| Administrative Order No. 315 s. 2024 | Standardizes e-payment for passport penalties | Allows payment via LANDBANK-Link.Biz, GCash, Maya |
3. Why Passports Are Canceled When Unclaimed
- Security – Prevents fraudulent circulation of blank travel documents that already bear personal data and an MRZ.
- Accountability – Each booklet has a control number; the DFA must account to COA for every spoiled/unused booklet.
- Data Protection – Shredding ensures compliance with the Data Privacy Act and ISO 27001 standards adopted by DFA-OCA.
4. What Exactly Constitutes “Unclaimed”
| Scenario | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| You failed to appear for release within 180 days of the date printed on the claim stub | Unclaimed | Booklet voided & shredded |
| You tried to claim on Day 181 | Too late | Must file new application |
| You claimed within 180 days but booklet bears defect (e.g., wrong name) and you left it for correction | Not “unclaimed” (treated as amendment) | Re-issuance, no penalty |
| You paid courier delivery but were unreachable and parcel returned to DFA | Still “unclaimed”; 180-day clock continues from first delivery attempt | Same consequences |
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Re-Applying
Tip: Treat this as a brand-new application; there is no “reactivation.”
5.1 Online Appointment
Go to passport.gov.ph and choose “New – Unclaimed Passport” option (added to the menu January 2025).
Pay appointment fee:
- Regular (12 working days within NCR): ₱950
- Express (6 working days within NCR): ₱1,200
Pay No-Show/Unclaimed Passport penalty: ₱350 (automatically added; previously paid on-site).
5.2 Documentary Requirements (bring originals + 1 photocopy)
Confirmed online appointment print-out / QR code
PhilSys ID or any one: PSA-issued Birth Certificate, digitized PRC ID, UMID, driver’s license
Affidavit of Unclaimed Passport/Non-Claim
- Must state passport number (if known), date of supposed release, reason for non-claim
- Notarized; DFA consular offices now offer e-notary desks for P200
Government-issued ID showing correct full name
Old Cancelled, Lost or Unclaimed Passport (if still in your possession) – Usually none, because booklet is shredded. Provide photocopy of claim stub if available.
5.3 Personal Appearance
- Biometric capturing (photo, fingerprints, signature) is mandatory even if biometrics were taken previously.
- Bring clear eyeglasses case; glasses not allowed in the live-capture photo.
5.4 Processing & Release
| Location | Regular | Express |
|---|---|---|
| DFA Aseana, DFA NCR-North, DFA NCR Central | 12 working days | 6 working days |
| Provincial consular offices | 15 working days | 7 working days |
| Philippine Embassies/Consulates abroad | 4–6 weeks | N/A |
6. Fees Summary (as of June 2025)
| Item | Amount | Legal/Administrative Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Passport fee – Regular | ₱950 | RA 8239 IRR |
| Passport fee – Express | ₱1,200 | DFA Department Order 12-2018 |
| No-Show/Unclaimed Passport Penalty | ₱350 | COA Cir. 2012-003 |
| Affidavit notarization (optional e-notary) | ₱200 | Notarial Law |
| Courier delivery (LBC 2.5 kg) | ₱180 (Metro Manila) / ₱220 (provincial) | DFA-LBC MOA 2024 |
7. Special Cases
Minor Applicant (below 18):
- Accompanying parent must execute the affidavit; penalty still applies.
- If minor has since turned 18, proceed as adult; attach PSA Birth + notarized affidavit executed by applicant.
OFWs / Seafarers with Urgent Departure:
- May request Courtesy Lane booking via e-mail to oca.cl@dfa.gov.ph with proof of flight schedule.
- Penalty cannot be waived but DFA may allow same-day passport release using the e-Passport Printing Vault (EPPV) in DFA-ASEANA (₱1,700 total).
Diplomatic or Official Passports:
- Handled by DFA-Office of Protocol; penalty waived, but agency must issue a written explanation to the Chief of Protocol.
Persons with Disabilities / Senior Citizens:
- Qualify for Priority Lane; still need affidavit and pay penalty.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I authorize someone to claim the “unclaimed” booklet instead? | No. Once tagged beyond 180 days, the booklet is destroyed. |
| Will the penalty be waived for medical emergencies? | Only upon approval of the Consular Officer-in-Charge; attach hospital certificates. |
| Does the unclaimed booklet remain valid after shredding? | No. It is officially canceled in the DFA e-Passport System and reported to INTERPOL’s SLTD database. |
| Will my travel record be affected? | No adverse record; airlines cannot see it. |
| Can I get a refund of the original passport fee? | No. Government fees are non-refundable under GAA provisions. |
9. Possible Legal Consequences of Non-Claim
- Civil liability: Wastage of accountable forms may subject government employees who facilitated but failed to monitor release (e.g., for courtesy lane) to administrative charges (COA findings).
- Criminal liability: If passport ends up used fraudulently, holder may face estafa or falsification if negligence is proven (rare; requires evidence).
10. Practical Tips
- Track your release date by saving the e-mail confirmation and adding a calendar reminder before Day 150.
- Opt for courier delivery if you live outside city centers; re-delivery attempts still count within 180-day window.
- Prepare affidavit template in advance; sample wording is available on DFA’s website under “Forms & Downloads.”
- Keep your old claim stub; although not strictly required, it speeds up record-search.
- Avoid re-booking under “renewal”—doing so without the old booklet results in appointment rejection and forfeiture of payment.
11. Sample Affidavit Outline
Title: Affidavit of Non-Claim / Unclaimed Passport I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, … declare that I applied for a Philippine passport on [Date], with appointment reference [Ref No.], scheduled for release on [Release Date], at [DFA Site]; that I failed to claim said passport within the prescribed six-month period due to [Reason]; that I was informed the passport has been canceled; I therefore request issuance of a new passport and undertake to pay all applicable fees… Signed.
12. Recent Policy Changes to Note (2023–2025)
| Change | Effective | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty payment integrated into online appointment | Feb 1 2024 | Eliminates on-site cashier line |
| e-Notary desks inside consular offices | Jul 2024 | One-stop processing; notarization becomes optional off-site |
| QR-coded Re-apply Slot (“New – Unclaimed”) | Jan 15 2025 | Prevents mistaken booking under regular “Renewal” |
| Adoption of E-Passport Renewal Center (EPRC) kiosks in malls | Apr 2025 (pilot) | Not yet open for unclaimed cases; applies only to straight renewals with surrendered booklet |
13. Comparative Glance: Lost vs. Unclaimed vs. Mutilated
| Aspect | Lost Passport | Unclaimed Passport | Mutilated Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit Type | Loss | Unclaimed | Mutilation |
| Police Report Req’d? | Yes (loss abroad: embassy report) | No | No |
| Penalty | P350 | P350 | P350 |
| 15-Day Clearing? | Yes (loss inside PH) | No | No |
| Old Booklet Physically Available? | No | Destroyed by DFA | Yes (submitted) |
14. Bottom Line
Failing to pick up your passport isn’t a criminal offense but it costs you time and money. The Philippine legal-administrative framework treats every unclaimed booklet as a sensitive security risk; hence, the only remedy is a full re-application with a modest penalty. Mark the six-month window, keep your address updated, and if you miss it, be ready with an affidavit and fresh appointment—because the destroyed booklet can never be revived.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. For specific concerns, consult the DFA or a Philippine lawyer specializing in immigration and passport law.