Quick answer

A Filipino applying for a new passport generally needs a confirmed DFA appointment, a completed application form, personal appearance, an original and photocopy of a PSA-issued birth certificate, and an acceptable valid ID. For a straightforward adult ePassport renewal, the usual core requirements are the confirmed appointment, application form, personal appearance, current ePassport, and a photocopy of its data page.

Different documents apply to minors, lost or damaged passports, non-ePassports, late-registered births, dual or naturalized citizens, and applicants changing or reverting their names. Always check the DFA’s current requirements for your exact category before attending.

Under the New Philippine Passport Act, Republic Act No. 11983, regular passports are generally valid for:

10 years if the holder is 18 or older; and
5 years if the holder is below 18.

Passport issuance is not guaranteed merely because an appointment was obtained. The DFA must still verify the applicant’s Philippine citizenship, identity, supporting records, and absence of an applicable legal travel restriction.

New passport requirements for adults

For a first-time applicant who is at least 18 years old, prepare:

Confirmed online appointment. Book only through the official DFA Passport Appointment System.
Printed, accomplished application form from the appointment packet.
Personal appearance for photograph, fingerprints, signature, and biographic-data capture.
Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth on security paper.
Original and photocopy of an acceptable valid ID.
Supporting civil-registry documents, when applicable.

If the PSA birth certificate is unclear or unreadable, the DFA may require the corresponding Local Civil Registrar copy. If there is no PSA birth record, the applicant generally must first complete late registration with the proper local civil registrar or Philippine Foreign Service Post and obtain the resulting PSA-issued record.

Married women

A married woman may retain her maiden name. If she does so in a first-time application, a marriage certificate is ordinarily unnecessary solely for passport naming purposes.

A married woman who chooses to use her husband’s surname must present the original and a photocopy of her PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage or Report of Marriage.

Acceptable identification

The PhilID is the law’s foremost proof of identity, but the DFA also recognizes other competent IDs. The current DFA-hosted lists include, among others:

Physical PhilID, ePhilID, or Digital National ID, subject to DFA verification;
SSS, GSIS, or existing UMID card;
LTO driver’s licence, including a student permit if issued in card format;
PRC ID;
OWWA E-Card;
COMELEC Voter’s ID or an acceptable voter’s certificate;
Senior Citizen ID;
qualifying MARINA Seafarer’s Record Book or Seafarer’s Identity Document;
school ID for minors; and
school ID plus proof of enrolment for adult students.

The exact list and document-generation limits can change. Present the original and bring a clear photocopy. The ID must be readable, untampered with, and consistent with the applicant’s PSA records. Consult the DFA’s official acceptable-ID guidance before relying on an older Postal ID, voter’s certificate, digital document, or other less common ID.

PhilHealth and TIN cards should not be assumed to qualify as primary passport IDs. An NBI clearance may serve as a supporting document in certain cases, but it does not automatically replace the required primary identification.

Adult passport renewal requirements

For a simple renewal of a current or expired Philippine ePassport, the core requirements are:

Confirmed online appointment;
Accomplished application form;
Personal appearance;
Current or most recently issued ePassport; and
Photocopy of the passport’s data page.

A PSA birth certificate is not ordinarily part of the core requirements for a straightforward adult ePassport renewal with unchanged details. It may nevertheless be required when the passport is lost, no copy is available, the applicant has a non-electronic passport, citizenship must be re-established, or the applicant’s records contain discrepancies.

Applicants renewing an old brown, green, machine-readable, or other non-ePassport should prepare the latest passport, PSA civil-registry records, and an acceptable ID. The DFA may process such a case using requirements closer to those for a new application.

Changing or reverting a name

Using a husband’s surname

An applicant adopting her husband’s surname must present a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage or Report of Marriage. A foreign marriage should first be properly reported through the Philippine civil-registry system if it is not yet recorded with the PSA.

Reverting to a maiden name

Republic Act No. 11983 now permits a woman who used her husband’s surname in a passport or travel document to revert to her maiden name once. Her other IDs and pertinent records must likewise reflect the maiden name.

The documents depend on the reason:

Death of the spouse: PSA-issued birth certificate and the applicable PSA-issued death certificate or Report of Death; a properly authenticated foreign death certificate may be required if the spouse was a foreign national and died abroad.
Annulment, declaration of nullity, legal separation, or judicially recognized divorce: PSA-issued birth certificate and the PSA marriage record bearing the appropriate annotation or court disposition.
Other permitted voluntary reversion: PSA birth and marriage records, latest passport, an accepted government ID in the maiden name, and a notarized affidavit explaining the request and confirming that the applicant has not previously used the one-time reversion.

The DFA’s detailed official guidance on reversion to a maiden name should be reviewed before the appointment. A foreign divorce does not automatically alter Philippine civil-registry records; its Philippine legal recognition and PSA annotation may have to be completed first.

Errors and discrepancies

The name and biographic details in the PSA birth certificate or Report of Birth generally prevail over conflicting information in other documents, unless a law or court order permits different details. A mere affidavit of discrepancy will not necessarily cure an incorrect civil-registry entry. Depending on the error, an annotated PSA record, administrative correction, court order, or corrected ID may be required.

Passport requirements for minors

A person below 18 receives a five-year passport. For a new minor application, prepare:

Confirmed appointment, unless the child qualifies for a priority or courtesy lane;
Accomplished application form;
Personal appearance of the child and either a parent or properly authorized adult companion;
Original and photocopy of the child’s PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth;
Valid identification for the child, when available; and
Passport or acceptable ID of the accompanying parent or adult.

For a minor’s ePassport renewal, also bring:

The current ePassport and a photocopy of its data page; and
The PSA birth certificate or Report of Birth establishing filiation.

Newborn without a PSA birth certificate

For a child below one year old whose PSA record is not yet available, DFA guidance may allow:

A certified Local Civil Registrar birth certificate authenticated by the PSA, if born in the Philippines; or
A Report of Birth or appropriate DFA consular-record document, if born abroad.

If the birth has not been reported or registered, that process must generally be completed first.

Who must accompany the child?

If the child’s parents are married, either parent may generally file the application. The accompanying parent should bring proof of identity and a copy of the other parent’s passport or other competent proof of identity when required.

If another adult accompanies the child, the DFA generally requires:

A Special Power of Attorney executed by the parent or legal guardian;
A copy of the authorizing parent’s or guardian’s valid ID or passport; and
The authorized companion’s valid passport or government ID.

For a child whose parents are not married as reflected in the birth record, current DFA guidance generally requires the mother to accompany the child. If she cannot attend, she must ordinarily execute the SPA. Different documents apply if the mother is deceased or absent, the father has court-awarded custody, there is a court-appointed guardian, or competing custody claims exist.

Adoptees, foundlings, prospective adoptees, and children under substitute parental authority require case-specific court, National Authority for Child Care, DSWD, or guardianship records. Do not rely on a general SPA when a court order or agency authorization is required.

A passport is not a DSWD travel clearance

Passport issuance and permission to leave the country are separate matters. A Filipino minor traveling alone or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian may also need a DSWD Minors Traveling Abroad clearance or exemption. Applications are handled through the official DSWD MTA portal. Custody, residency, adoption, and the identity of the traveling companion affect whether clearance is required.

Appointment, payment, and appearance

How to apply

Select a DFA office through passport.gov.ph.
Enter the applicant’s information exactly as it appears in the controlling civil-registry records.
Choose regular or expedited processing.
Pay using the instructions and reference number generated by the system. Over-the-counter payments generally must be settled within 24 hours, but the specific instruction attached to the transaction controls.
After payment is recorded, download and print the confirmed appointment packet, application form, checklist, and eReceipts.
Attend the appointment with all originals and photocopies.
Review every encoded detail before approving the application.
Keep the receipt and releasing or courier information until the passport is received and checked.

Appointments themselves are free. Only use the official portal. Never pay someone for an appointment slot.

Fees in the Philippines

The official DFA portal currently states:

Processing option	Passport processing fee
Regular	₱950
Expedited	₱1,200

Authorized payment centers currently add a ₱50 convenience fee. Courier charges, replacement fees, and special-case costs may be separate. Passport fees are generally non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-reusable if the applicant fails to appear, cancels the appointment, or presents inconsistent or spurious documents. Check the DFA ePayment FAQ for current amounts and participating channels.

The releasing date depends on the processing option, application site, document verification, production conditions, and delivery method. Follow the date or instructions issued by the processing office. Expedited payment is not a guarantee against delays caused by discrepancies or additional verification.

Who may use the priority or courtesy lane?

The New Philippine Passport Act requires special-lane accommodation for senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, children seven years old and below, solo parents, OFWs, and qualifying emergency or exceptional cases.

The current appointment portal states that the following may be accommodated without an online appointment, subject to proof and the receiving office’s daily cutoff:

OFWs with sufficient proof of status;
Senior citizens with a Senior Citizen ID;
PWDs with a PWD ID or visible disability;
Solo parents with a valid Solo Parent ID;
Pregnant applicants with a medical certificate; and
Minors seven years old and below.

Availability can differ by consular office. Confirm with the chosen office before traveling, especially for an emergency, companion, or family application. The statute also directs the DFA to develop technology-based renewal without physical appearance for applicants aged 60 or older and migrant workers abroad. Until the relevant DFA service is actually offered for the applicant’s location and category, follow the existing appointment and personal-appearance procedure.

Lost, stolen, or damaged passports

Report a lost or destroyed passport to the DFA or the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate immediately. Republic Act No. 11983 requires a detailed affidavit explaining the loss or destruction.

Current documentary requirements commonly include:

Police report in English;
Notarized Affidavit of Loss;
Photocopy of the lost passport’s data page, if available;
PSA birth certificate and acceptable ID, particularly if no passport copy is available; and
The applicable replacement and processing fees.

A damaged or mutilated passport generally requires the physical passport and a notarized Affidavit of Explanation.

If a reported-lost passport is later found, do not travel with it. It must be surrendered to the DFA. Once reported and recorded as lost, it may already be invalid.

Lost passport abroad

Contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate rather than waiting to return home. Depending on the facts, Republic Act No. 11983 allows:

An emergency passport, valid for one year, for a Filipino who lost a passport overseas and justifiably needs to complete intended overseas travel before returning to the Philippines or an overseas residence; or
An emergency travel certificate, generally valid from 30 days to six months, for a Filipino returning to the Philippines who lost a passport or cannot be issued a regular one.

Issuance depends on identity, citizenship, itinerary, urgency, and the documents available to the consular post.

Records and evidence to preserve

Keep secure digital and paper copies of:

The passport data page;
PSA birth, marriage, and other annotated civil-registry records;
IDs presented to the DFA;
Appointment code and confirmation email;
Payment reference, eReceipts, and official receipt;
Application packet and appointment checklist;
Police report and affidavits for a lost or damaged passport;
SPA, custody order, guardianship order, or parental-consent documents for a minor;
Courier receipt and tracking number; and
Any DFA email requesting additional documents.

Store copies separately from the original passport when traveling. A passport copy does not replace the original, but it can materially assist identity verification after loss.

Common mistakes to avoid

Entering a nickname, shortened name, or incorrect birthplace instead of the PSA-recorded details.
Assuming an affidavit alone can override an erroneous birth or marriage record.
Bringing only photocopies when originals are required for verification.
Using an unacceptable or expired ID without alternative competent proof.
Forgetting the current passport or its data-page photocopy during renewal.
Treating a minor’s passport application SPA as a substitute for a required custody order or DSWD travel clearance.
Cancelling an appointment that could have been rescheduled. A cancelled slot cannot normally be restored, and the fee is not reusable.
Paying a fixer or social-media account for an appointment.
Purchasing a non-refundable ticket before the passport is released.
Failing to inspect the new passport immediately for spelling, birth-date, sex, or place-of-birth errors.
Attempting to use a passport already reported lost.

Knowingly making a false statement in a passport application or loss affidavit can carry imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years and a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱250,000 under Republic Act No. 11983. The law also criminalizes for-profit appointment assistance and appointment-slot hoarding.

When help is urgent

Contact the DFA, the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and—where appropriate—a Philippine lawyer promptly when:

A passport is lost abroad and travel is imminent;
A child’s parents or guardians dispute custody or permission to travel;
A court has issued a hold-departure or precautionary hold-departure order;
The PSA record contains an error that cannot be corrected before necessary travel;
The applicant’s citizenship depends on naturalization, election, recognition, or retention or reacquisition under Republic Act No. 9225;
A foreign divorce or foreign civil-registry document must be recognized in the Philippines;
Someone is using the applicant’s identity or passport;
A recruiter, employer, creditor, or other unauthorized person is withholding the passport; or
The DFA has denied or cancelled a passport for a reason not based on a court order.

A Philippine passport remains government property. Unauthorized confiscation, retention, or withholding is punishable under Republic Act No. 11983 by 12 years and one day to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₱1 million to ₱2 million, without prejudice to liability under migrant-worker laws.

Frequently asked questions

Can I renew before my passport expires?

Yes. You do not have to wait for expiration. Apply early if your destination, visa authority, or airline requires a minimum remaining validity period. The often-mentioned six-month rule is not universal; check the rules for the specific destination and transit countries.

Do I need a PSA birth certificate for an ordinary adult renewal?

Usually not for a simple ePassport renewal with unchanged details. Bring one if your passport is lost, you have no passport copy, citizenship or identity needs further verification, you hold a non-ePassport, or the DFA’s checklist requires it.

Can another person attend the appointment for me?

Generally no. Personal appearance is required for biometric capture. A limited statutory route for technology-assisted renewal of qualifying seniors and migrant workers exists, but applicants should use it only when the DFA has officially made it available for their location and case.

Can another person claim my passport?

Releasing rules vary by office and delivery method. Some offices permit an authorized representative with an authorization letter, IDs, receipt, and old passport; others impose additional controls. Follow the written releasing instructions issued by the processing site.

Can a married woman keep her maiden name?

Yes. Marriage does not compel her to adopt her husband’s surname for passport purposes. If she has already used the husband’s surname and now wants to revert, the one-time reversion rules and supporting documents apply.

Does a child seven years old or below need an appointment?

The official portal presently allows qualifying children seven years old and below to use the priority lane without an online appointment, subject to the office’s cutoff and documentary requirements. The child must still appear personally.

What happens to the old passport after renewal?

The DFA ordinarily cancels and returns it to the holder. A valid visa in the old passport does not automatically remain usable in every country; ask the issuing embassy and airline whether both old and new passports must be carried.

Should I book my flight once I have an appointment?

No. An appointment is not an issued passport. The DFA expressly advises applicants not to buy outbound tickets until the passport is in their possession.

Official references

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice or a guarantee of passport issuance. Requirements can change and additional documents may be required based on citizenship, civil-registry records, custody, court orders, or the processing post. Official sources were last checked on 5 August 2026.