Passport renewal for minors in the Philippines is primarily a documentation and parental-authority exercise. When the father is “unknown,” the key issue is not the absence of a father in the appointment, but what the child’s civil registry records show and who legally has authority to act for the child.

This article explains (1) the relevant Philippine legal rules on parental authority and filiation, (2) the practical DFA-facing implications for renewal, and (3) special situations that commonly cause delays.

1) Clarify What “Unknown Father” Means (Because the Requirements Depend on It)

In practice, “unknown father” falls into one of these categories:

Father not stated on the PSA birth certificate
- The birth certificate has no father’s name (blank/“unknown”/not acknowledged).
- The child is generally treated as illegitimate for civil registry purposes.
Father is stated/acknowledged on the PSA birth certificate, but is not involved / cannot be located
- Example: the father executed an acknowledgment or the child uses the father’s surname.
- Father may be “unknown” in the sense of whereabouts, not identity.
The mother’s ID/surname does not match the birth record
- Example: mother married after the child’s birth and now uses her married surname; the child’s birth certificate lists mother under maiden name.

Each scenario affects what you must bring and who must appear.

2) The Legal Core: Who Has Authority Over the Child?

A. General rule: minors act through parents/guardians

A minor cannot independently transact for government-issued identity documents. Applications and renewals are done through a parent or legal guardian, and DFA typically requires the minor’s personal appearance plus the appearance of the responsible adult.

B. If the child is illegitimate: the mother has sole parental authority

Under Philippine family law, parental authority over an illegitimate child belongs to the mother. This is the most important rule for cases with an “unknown father.”

Practical consequence: If the father is not on the birth certificate (or even if the father is acknowledged but the child remains illegitimate), DFA-facing processes are usually satisfied by the mother’s appearance and consent. The father’s consent is generally not required because the mother is the legal parent with parental authority.

C. If the child is legitimate: both parents typically have authority

If the child is legitimate (generally, born within a valid marriage), parental authority ordinarily belongs to both parents. In that case, DFA practice may still allow one parent to appear, but supporting documents and/or authorizations become more relevant when the accompanying adult is not a parent.

D. If no parent can appear: only a legal guardian can substitute

If the mother cannot appear and the father is unknown/unavailable, the adult accompanying the minor must usually show clear legal authority (not just “I’m the aunt/grandparent”). Depending on the case, this could mean a court-issued guardianship order or other documents DFA accepts for guardianship/custody situations.

3) Typical Renewal Requirements for Minors (Philippine Practice)

While exact DFA checklists can vary by implementation and may change over time, minor renewals commonly revolve around these categories:

A. The minor’s identity and citizenship

Current/expired passport of the minor (the renewal target)
PSA-issued birth certificate (for identity/civil registry verification)
Supporting documents if there were changes or irregularities (see below)

B. The responsible adult’s identity and authority

Mother’s valid government ID (or father’s if applicable)
If the accompanying adult is not the mother: proof of authority (SPA/guardianship/custody documents) and IDs

C. Personal appearance

Minor’s appearance is typically required
Mother’s appearance is usually required unless a recognized substitute authority is presented

4) “Unknown Father” Scenarios and What Usually Works

Scenario 1: Father is not named on the PSA birth certificate; mother appears

This is the cleanest “unknown father” case.

What usually matters:

PSA birth certificate clearly showing no father’s entry
Mother’s ID
Minor’s passport for renewal
Any documents needed to explain name differences (see Section 6)

Why this works legally: The mother holds parental authority over an illegitimate child and can act alone for the child’s passport renewal.

Scenario 2: Father is not named; mother cannot attend; minor is brought by a relative

This is where delays often happen.

Key point: A relative’s relationship does not automatically confer legal authority to act as the parent.

What is typically needed:

A Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or authorization executed by the mother authorizing the companion to assist in the passport renewal process, plus
Copies of the mother’s ID (and often passport if abroad), and
Companion’s ID, and
Proof of relationship may help but does not replace authority.

Common problem: If the mother is abroad and cannot execute a locally notarized SPA, the authorization must be executed in a form acceptable for use in the Philippines (often through a Philippine foreign service post or other formally recognized execution route). The main risk is submitting an authorization that is not acceptable for official use.

Scenario 3: Father is named/acknowledged on the birth certificate, but is absent; mother appears

Even when the father is acknowledged (including situations under the law allowing an illegitimate child to use the father’s surname), the mother generally retains parental authority over an illegitimate child.

Practical consequence: Mother’s appearance and consent typically remains sufficient for DFA-facing purposes, unless:

there is a custody dispute with a court order, or
the child is legitimate and the situation triggers additional authority questions.

Scenario 4: Father is named and the father alone appears (mother absent)

This is often difficult when the child is illegitimate, because the mother is the parent with parental authority.

What changes the outcome:

A court order granting custody/guardianship to the father, or
Legal documentation showing the father has authority to act for the child (rare without court involvement in illegitimate-child cases).

5) Special Legal and Documentary Issues That Commonly Block Renewal

A. Mother’s surname changed after marriage (ID mismatch)

Very common:

Child’s PSA birth certificate shows mother under maiden name
Mother’s current IDs show married name

Fix (documentary bridge):

Present the mother’s marriage certificate to connect maiden name to married surname.
If mother has multiple name changes or corrections, present the relevant annotated civil registry records or court/administrative documents.

B. Child’s name changed or corrected

Name issues can arise from:

correction of clerical errors,
legitimation,
acknowledgment and change of surname,
adoption.

Practical consequence: DFA will typically require proof of the change (annotated PSA records and/or the legal instrument supporting the change). A child cannot renew under a name that cannot be reconciled with the civil registry trail.

C. Late-registered birth

Late registration is not automatically disqualifying, but it can prompt closer scrutiny.

What helps:

Supporting documents that establish identity and continuity of records (school records, medical records, earlier documents), as applicable.

D. Illegitimate child using father’s surname

This can happen if the father acknowledged paternity and the child is allowed to use the father’s surname.

Key point: Using the father’s surname does not automatically make the child legitimate; legitimacy depends on the parents’ marriage and other legal factors.

Practical consequence: Parental authority may still be with the mother. However, because the father’s details exist in the record, DFA may be stricter about ensuring the adult present has authority—especially if the mother is not the one appearing.

E. Custody disputes or protection orders

If there is an ongoing custody dispute or a court order restricting a parent’s access, that can affect who can validly renew the child’s passport.

Practical consequence: Court orders can override default assumptions about who may act for the child.

6) Evidence Package: A Strong “Unknown Father” Renewal File

To reduce questions at the counter, prepare a file that proves three things: identity, authority, continuity.

A. Identity and status of the child

Minor’s current/expired passport
PSA birth certificate (preferably clear and updated)
Any annotated PSA record if there were corrections/changes

B. Authority of the adult who will appear

If mother appears:

Mother’s government ID(s)
Marriage certificate if surname mismatch exists

If someone else appears:

Mother’s SPA/authorization (properly executed)
Mother’s ID copy and proof she is the mother on PSA record
Companion’s ID

If neither parent can appear:

Court guardianship/custody documents + IDs

C. Continuity documents (useful when records are messy)

Mother’s marriage certificate (common)
Proof of relationship if companion is a relative (helps context, not a substitute for authority)
Documents supporting corrections/late registration, if applicable

7) Renewal vs. Travel: Do Not Confuse Passport Renewal With DSWD Travel Clearance

A passport renewal establishes identity/citizenship and issues the travel document. Travel clearance is a different regime.

A minor traveling abroad without a parent (or without those with parental authority) can trigger DSWD travel clearance requirements.
A minor renewing a passport may still be allowed to renew with proper authority documents, but traveling later may require separate clearance.

Practical consequence: Even if renewal is successful using an authorized companion, travel planning should account for separate DSWD rules when the child is not traveling with the parent who has parental authority.

8) Risk Flags (Commonly Associated With Fraud or Invalid Authority)

These patterns commonly lead to denial or requests for additional documents:

Adult companion is not the mother and has no SPA/guardianship
SPA is vague (“to process documents”) and does not clearly authorize passport renewal
Documents show inconsistent names with no bridging records (no marriage certificate, no annotated PSA record)
Birth certificate shows father’s name but the accompanying adult cannot explain authority or custody
Claims that father is “unknown” but records show an acknowledged father and there is a dispute

9) Practical Legal Takeaways

If the father is truly unknown (not on the PSA birth certificate), the mother’s appearance and consent are normally sufficient because she holds parental authority for an illegitimate child.
The hardest cases are not “unknown father” cases—they are “mother not present” cases. Authority must be documented, usually by an SPA (or guardianship/custody orders when parents cannot act).
Expect scrutiny when there are name mismatches, late registration, corrections, or custody disputes; these are solvable but require the right civil registry and authority documents.
Passport renewal and child travel permission are separate legal tracks; a valid passport does not automatically satisfy travel-clearance rules for minors traveling without the parent/guardian.