A married woman may continue using her maiden name in her passport. This is common for professional continuity and to avoid administrative changes.

B. Using the husband’s surname

A common Philippine format when adopting the husband’s surname is:

Given name(s): unchanged
Middle name: usually remains the woman’s middle name as shown in her PSA birth certificate (typically the mother’s maiden surname)
Surname: husband’s surname

Example (Philippine convention): Maria Santos Cruz marries Juan Dela Rosa → may become Maria Santos Dela Rosa.

C. Hyphenating the maiden surname and the husband’s surname

Another commonly accepted practice is to hyphenate the maiden surname with the husband’s surname (as a surname field), while keeping the middle name unchanged.

Example: Maria Santos Cruz-Dela Rosa.

D. Avoiding “maiden surname becomes middle name” confusion

In some foreign systems, the woman’s maiden surname is treated as a new middle name. Philippine civil registry practice generally keeps the middle name tied to the mother’s maiden surname as reflected in the PSA birth certificate. For passports, the DFA tends to follow the PSA birth certificate middle name as the middle name, and treats changes as needing a legal basis and supporting documents.

5) The basic DFA approach: name change due to marriage is handled like a renewal/new issuance

A passport’s printed biographical data cannot simply be “edited.” If the applicant wants the passport to reflect a married name, the applicant typically applies for a passport renewal (or new issuance) due to change of name, submits the required civil registry documents, undergoes data capture, and receives a newly printed passport. The old passport is usually canceled (often returned with a cancellation mark), though it may still be kept for reference and for visas stamped in it.

6) Core documentary requirements (common scenarios)

Documentary requirements can vary by DFA office and by the applicant’s circumstances. The following are the commonly expected documents for a change of name due to marriage and for aligning records:

A. For applicants married in the Philippines (typical case)

Commonly required:

Current/old passport (original + photocopy of the data page)
PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (commonly required as the legal basis for the name change)
PSA-issued Birth Certificate (often required to confirm identity details)
At least one (often more) valid government-issued ID (original + photocopy), consistent with DFA ID acceptance rules
DFA passport application and appointment confirmation (for offices requiring appointments)
Additional supporting documents if there are discrepancies (see Section 8)

Practical point: If the marriage is very recent and the PSA marriage certificate is not yet available, some applicants coordinate with the DFA on interim documents (e.g., local civil registrar copies and proof of endorsement to PSA). Whether these are accepted depends on DFA policy at the time and the particular consular office.

B. For applicants married abroad (marriage outside the Philippines)

For a foreign marriage to be used as the basis for updating records in the Philippines, it is typically documented through a Report of Marriage (ROM) filed with the Philippine Embassy/Consulate with jurisdiction over the place of marriage. The ROM is later transmitted for recording in Philippine civil registry systems.

Commonly required (depending on the case):

Current/old passport
PSA-issued Marriage Certificate reflecting the reported foreign marriage or the relevant Report of Marriage document (as accepted by DFA)
PSA Birth Certificate
Valid ID(s)
If the foreign marriage certificate is used as supporting evidence, it may need proper authentication (often via apostille where applicable), but the DFA typically focuses on the ROM/PSA record as the Philippine-recognized basis.

C. Marriage to a foreign national

The nationality of the spouse does not, by itself, change the applicant’s Philippine citizenship or passport eligibility. The key issue is still documentation of the marriage (PSA/ROM as applicable) and the applicant’s identity.

D. Married men

Because Philippine practice does not involve married men changing surnames due to marriage, most married men do not need a passport name change after marriage. If the goal is only that DFA records reflect the applicant’s married status, this is generally addressed as part of routine renewals and accurate civil registry documentation, but it is less likely to be a practical travel issue unless a name change is involved (e.g., due to a separate legal process).

7) Step-by-step process (typical DFA workflow)

While DFA operations differ by office, the process usually follows this sequence:

Secure a DFA appointment (for offices operating by appointment), and select the appropriate application type (often renewal) and note that it is due to a change of name by marriage where applicable.
Prepare documents: PSA marriage certificate, PSA birth certificate, current passport, IDs, and photocopies.
Personal appearance at the DFA site for:
- Document screening/verification
- Biometric capture (photo, fingerprints, signature)
- Payment of fees (regular/expedited options may exist, subject to current DFA rules)
Receive release instructions: pick-up or delivery, depending on options offered.

Processing time and fees

DFA processing times and fees can change and vary by site, but applicants typically choose between regular and expedited processing, with delivery charges where courier services are used.

8) Handling discrepancies and “red flags” that delay updates

Passport applications can be delayed when PSA documents, IDs, and prior passport records do not match. Common issues include:

A. Name spelling differences and typographical errors

If the PSA marriage certificate or birth certificate has spelling errors in the applicant’s name, the DFA may require correction before it will print the passport in the requested name format. Corrections to civil registry documents may require:

Administrative correction for clerical/typographical errors (commonly handled under civil registry correction laws and processes), or
Court action for more substantive changes, depending on the error.

B. Missing or inconsistent middle names

Middle name issues are among the most common causes of mismatch (e.g., applicant uses a middle initial in IDs but PSA records show a full middle name, or vice versa). The DFA usually prioritizes what appears on PSA documents.

C. Multiple marriages / prior marriages

If the applicant has been married before, DFA may require additional documents to establish the status and proper use of surname. Examples:

If widowed, documents relating to the prior spouse’s death may be required if reverting or changing names.
If marriage was annulled or declared void, proof of the judicial decision and PSA-annotated records may be needed.
If there is a recognized foreign divorce, Philippine court recognition and PSA-annotated records may be required for changes that depend on that status.

D. Very recent marriages not yet in PSA

If the marriage has not yet appeared in PSA records, the applicant may need to:

Obtain proof of filing/endorsement from the local civil registrar (for marriages in the Philippines), or
Use the ROM process (for marriages abroad) and wait for PSA recording, depending on DFA acceptance rules at the time.

9) What happens to the old passport and existing visas?

When a new passport is issued:

The old passport is typically canceled, but it may be returned to the holder.
Valid visas in the old passport may remain usable, depending on the issuing country’s rules. Many travelers carry both passports (old canceled passport with visa + new valid passport) when traveling, but this depends on visa type and the destination country’s policy.

Practical travel caution: If a visa was issued under the maiden name and the new passport is in the married name, airlines and immigration may require clear linkage. Carrying the marriage certificate and the old passport is often helpful, and some travelers choose to keep the passport name consistent with the visa name until the visa expires.

10) Special situations and edge cases

A. “I’m married but I want to keep using my maiden name everywhere”

A married woman may keep her maiden name on her passport. The key is consistency: bookings, visas, and supporting documents for travel should align with the passport name.

B. “I already changed my name in other IDs, but my passport is still in my maiden name”

For travel, the passport name governs. If other IDs now show a married name while the passport shows a maiden name, it usually does not prevent international travel by itself, but it can create friction when other transactions require the passport to match local IDs. Deciding whether to update the passport depends on travel plans and administrative needs.

C. Same-sex marriages celebrated abroad

Philippine civil registry recognition generally follows Philippine marriage laws and policies. If a marriage is not recognized under Philippine law for civil registry purposes, it is unlikely to serve as a basis for changing civil status or surname in DFA passport records in the way an opposite-sex marriage recorded with PSA/ROM would.

D. Dual citizens / reacquired Philippine citizenship

Applicants with dual citizenship or reacquired Philippine citizenship may face additional documentation requirements to establish Philippine citizenship status alongside civil registry records. The marriage document supports name change, but citizenship documents establish eligibility for the passport.

11) Practical checklist for a smooth update after marriage

Decide early whether you will travel using your maiden name or married name.
Book tickets using the exact passport name you will present at the airport.
Secure PSA documents (birth certificate and marriage certificate) well ahead of travel if you plan to change the passport name.
Check for discrepancies (spelling, middle name, suffixes) across PSA documents and your old passport before filing.
If married abroad, complete the Report of Marriage process promptly so the marriage is reflected in Philippine records.
If you have existing visas, consider the impact of a name change before renewing the passport.

12) Summary of the core rule

After marriage, a Philippine passport does not automatically need updating. The update becomes necessary—and document-intensive—when marriage is used as the basis for a passport name change. The DFA generally anchors the change on PSA civil registry records (or ROM-based documentation for marriages abroad) and requires consistent, verifiable identity details across documents.