A practitioner’s guide to what DFA will actually ask for—by family status, custody paper trail, and real-world edge cases

I. Core rule set for ALL minor renewals (0–17)

Personal appearance of the minor at the DFA. No photo studios—DFA captures the photo on site.
Validity: Philippine passports for minors are valid for 5 years (no 10-year option).
Old passport: Bring the current passport (to be cancelled) and a photocopy of its data page.
PSA Birth Certificate (security paper). If the child was adopted/legitimated/name-changed, bring the PSA-issued amended/annotated birth record.
Parent/guardian’s government ID (original + photocopy) with the same name that appears on the child’s PSA record/custody order.
Application form and confirmed appointment (minors 7 and below often qualify for a courtesy lane at some DFA sites, but plan as if booking is needed).
No “consent to travel” needed for issuance. DFA needs consent to issue a passport; travel consent is a different topic handled at departure or by foreign consulates.

Key idea: DFA’s checklist changes with parental authority. The father’s ability to solo-renew hinges on whether he legally holds parental authority—by law or by court/administrative order—and on the child’s legitimacy/adoption status.

II. Who has parental authority (and why it matters at DFA)

Legitimate child (parents married to each other at the child’s birth)
- Joint parental authority (mother and father).
- DFA will normally require either both parents present or one parent present with the other parent’s written consent/SPA—unless a court order grants sole custody/authority to the father.
Illegitimate child (parents not married to each other at birth)
- Mother has sole parental authority by default.
- A father cannot unilaterally renew/apply unless he shows a court order (e.g., custody/guardianship) transferring parental authority or he presents the mother’s SPA/consent for passport issuance.
- If the child now uses the father’s surname via AUSF/acknowledgment/recognition, DFA still looks to who has authority (usually still the mother, unless a court order says otherwise). Ensure the PSA birth record is annotated to match the child’s current surname.
Adopted child
- Parental authority vests in the adoptive parent(s) per adoption decree. Bring the PSA amended birth certificate (bearing the adoptive parent’s names) and the adoption order (or its PSA annotation).
Special situations
- Father has sole custody by final court order → father may act alone; bring the certified court decision/order, certificate of finality, and any PSA annotation if applicable.
- Mother deceased → father presents PSA death certificate (original + photocopy) and may act alone.
- Mother abroad/unavailable → father presents the mother’s SPA/consent authorizing the passport issuance (executed before a Philippine embassy/consulate, or apostilled if notarized abroad), plus the mother’s ID.
- Protection Orders (e.g., VAWC) → obey any restrictions on custody/contact. DFA can require court leave or the presence/consent of the protected parent if the order says so.
- Guardianship → if the father is legal guardian (not parent with authority), present the guardianship order (final/executory).

III. What the father must bring (by scenario)

A) Legitimate child, no custody order, mother unavailable

Minor + father in person
Old passport + photocopy
PSA Birth Certificate
Father’s valid government ID
Mother’s SPA/consent for passport issuance (consularized or apostilled if executed abroad), plus her ID copy
If parents are annulled/divorced/legally separated with a custody arrangement, bring the custody order; DFA will follow that.

B) Legitimate child, sole custody awarded to father

Minor + father in person
Old passport + photocopy
PSA Birth Certificate
Father’s valid ID
Court decision/order granting the father sole custody/parental authority, Certificate of Finality, and (if already processed) PSA annotation
(Mother’s consent not required.)

C) Illegitimate child (default: mother has authority), father facilitating renewal

Minor + father in person
Old passport + photocopy
PSA Birth Certificate (check surname alignment; if using father’s surname, ensure PSA AUSF/annotation)
Father’s valid ID
Mother’s SPA/consent to passport issuance (with mother’s ID)
OR a court order transferring parental authority/custody to the father (with finality/annotation).
If the mother is deceased → PSA death certificate; father may act alone.

D) Adopted child (father is adoptive parent or single adoptive father)

Minor + adoptive father in person
Old passport + photocopy
PSA amended birth certificate (showing adoptive parent(s))
Adoption decree (or proof of finality/PSA annotation)
Father’s valid ID
If two adoptive parents and only father appears → other parent’s SPA/consent unless decree or order specifies otherwise.

IV. About SPAs/consents used at DFA

Best form: SPA executed before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad (no further apostille needed).
If notarized abroad: have it apostilled (Apostille-member state) or consularized (non-Apostille state).
Content should explicitly authorize passport renewal/issuance for [Child’s full name, DOB], identify the authorized parent/representative (the father), and allow signing of DFA forms.

V. Name, filiation, and record alignment issues (frequent blockers)

Surname mismatch between passport and PSA record → DFA follows PSA. Fix civil registry first (AUSF/RA 9255 annotation, adoption amendment, legitimation, or court order) before renewal.
Middle name/parents’ names errors → correct through civil registry procedures; bring proof if a correction is pending (some sites won’t proceed until PSA reflects the change).
No PSA birth record (late registration, foreign-born child) → complete REPORT OF BIRTH filing with the Philippine foreign post (or local civil registrar) then secure the PSA-issued record. Renewal can’t leapfrog missing PSA data.

VI. Presence requirements and representatives

Minor must appear.
A parent with authority must appear. If the father cannot appear, a parent with authority (the mother or a court-appointed guardian) or an authorized adult may accompany only if the father produces a proper SPA (and he actually has parental authority).
Guardians/relatives without parental authority need a court order or parental SPA; otherwise DFA can decline.

VII. Practical sequencing (father-led)

Audit authority: Determine if the child is legitimate/illegitimate/adopted and whether you have sole authority or need the mother’s SPA.
Harmonize the PSA record: Ensure the surname and filiation on PSA match what you want printed. Fix first; passports mirror PSA.
Assemble custody papers: Court order + finality (if any), death certificate (if applicable), SPA from mother (if required).
Book the appointment (assume you need one; courtesy lanes vary).
Appear with the minor, old passport, PSA record, IDs, and custody/SPA papers.
Name and signature capture: For younger kids, DFA captures a printed name; older minors sign electronically.

VIII. Edge cases and how DFA typically treats them

Father with “temporary custody” (interim order): Usually acceptable within its terms; bring the latest order and prepare to show its currency.
Shared custody but high conflict: Without an order specifying passport authority, DFA tends to ask for the other parent’s consent. Consider seeking a court directive authorizing issuance.
Protection Order restricting contact: If it bars the father from processing documents or contacting the child/mother, obtain court leave or have a neutral representative armed with proper authority.
Father abroad: Execute a consular SPA naming a representative in the Philippines (or the mother, if appropriate).
Child turning 18 soon: Once 18, the child is no longer a minor and can apply independently; plan timing if custody paperwork is hard to assemble.

IX. Quick checklists

Father applying with sole authority (court-awarded or mother deceased)

Minor + father present
Old passport (+ copy)
PSA birth certificate (amended if needed)
Father’s valid ID
Custody order + Certificate of Finality OR Mother’s PSA death certificate
Appointment printout/forms

Father applying where mother retains authority

Minor + father present
Old passport (+ copy)
PSA birth certificate (with AUSF/annotation if using father’s surname)
Father’s valid ID
Mother’s SPA/consent + her ID copy (consularized/apostilled if from abroad)
Appointment printout/forms

Adopted child

Minor + adoptive father present
Old passport (+ copy)
PSA amended birth certificate
Adoption decree/order (or proof of finality/annotation)
Father’s valid ID
Other adoptive parent’s SPA if not appearing

X. Common pitfalls (and fixes)

Assuming a father can act alone for an illegitimate child → Fix: secure mother’s SPA or a court order first.
Unapostilled/uncertified overseas SPA → Fix: execute before a PH embassy/consulate or get it apostilled/consularized.
Surname on passport doesn’t match PSA → Fix: complete civil registry correction/annotation (AUSF/adoption/legitimation) before renewal.
Outdated interim custody → Fix: bring the latest order or seek an updated directive clearly authorizing passport processing.
Relying on school ID alone → Fix: always bring the PSA birth certificate and parent’s valid government ID.

XI. Bottom line

For a father to renew a minor’s passport smoothly, the parental authority trail must be clear on paper. Legitimate child: father can proceed with mother or with her SPA, unless a final custody order gives him sole authority. Illegitimate child: the mother’s consent or a court transfer of authority is indispensable—even if the child bears the father’s surname. Align the PSA record, carry the old passport and IDs, and bring the right custody/SPA documents; with those, DFA processing is straightforward.