How to Apply for a Passport for a Minor
Minors (below 18 years old) can obtain a Philippine passport, but the application requires the personal appearance of the minor AND at least one parent or legal guardian. Minors' passports are valid for 5 years (not 10 like adults). This guide covers all requirements, the step-by-step process, and special situations like solo parent applicants and separated parents.
Overview
Cost
₱950 / ₱1,200
Regular / Rush + ₱350 appointment fee
Timeline
12 / 6 days
Regular: 12 working days, Rush: 6 working days
Key Fact
Valid for 5 years only
Both minor and parent/guardian must appear
⚠️ Both the minor and an accompanying parent/legal guardian must personally appear at the DFA office. No representative allowed.
Age Categories
Infant (0-1 year)
Both parents should accompany. If only one parent, bring authenticated consent/affidavit from absent parent.
Child (1-7 years)
At least one parent must accompany. Child must be present for biometrics (photo).
Minor (7-17 years)
At least one parent must accompany. Minor must be present for full biometrics (photo, fingerprint, signature if able).
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| PSA Birth Certificate of the minor | Original, unlaminated (₱155 from PSA) |
| Valid passport of accompanying parent/guardian | Original, valid government-issued ID also accepted |
| Marriage Certificate of parents | If applicable, PSA-issued original (₱155) |
| Personal appearance of minor AND parent/guardian | Both must be physically present at the DFA office |
| Confirmed online appointment | Booked via passport.gov.ph (select "Minor" application type) |
| If only one parent appears | Affidavit of Support and Consent from absent parent (notarized) + photocopy of absent parent's valid ID |
| If solo parent | Solo Parent ID + DSWD Certification |
| If parents are separated/annulled | Court order granting custody + consent of other parent or court authorization |
| If guardian | Court-appointed guardianship papers + DSWD Travel Clearance |
| DSWD Travel Clearance | For minors traveling alone or without parents |
| Passport Fee | ₱950 regular processing / ₱1,200 rush processing |
Step-by-Step Application Process
Complete Minor Passport Application Process
Book Online Appointment
- •Visit passport.gov.ph and create an account or log in
- •Select 'Minor' as the application type
- •Fill out the minor's personal information
- •Enter parent/guardian details
- •Select your preferred DFA office
- •Pick an available appointment date and time
- •Pay appointment fee: ₱350 (non-refundable)
- •Payment methods: credit/debit card, GCash, PayMaya, or over-the-counter (7-Eleven, Bayad Center)
- •Note your Application Reference Number (ARN)
- •Print or screenshot appointment details
Prepare All Requirements
- •PSA Birth Certificate of the minor (original)
- •Parent's passport or valid government IDs
- •PSA Marriage Certificate of parents (if applicable)
- •Appointment confirmation (printed or digital)
- •If only one parent appears: notarized affidavit of support and consent, and photocopy of absent parent's valid ID
- •Special cases: Solo Parent ID + DSWD certification (solo parent), court custody order (separated parents), or court guardianship papers + DSWD clearance (guardian)
- •Do NOT bring: laminated documents, photocopies instead of originals, expired IDs, or Local Civil Registry copies (must be PSA)
Appear at DFA on Appointment Date
- •The minor must appear (regardless of age, even infants)
- •At least one parent or legal guardian must be present
- •Arrive 15 minutes before appointment time
- •Do NOT arrive too early (may not be entertained)
- •Bring all required documents
- •Minor should wear decent clothing suitable for photo
- •No sleeveless tops
- •Light/neutral colors recommended
Submit Documents for Verification
- •Get your queue number at the DFA office
- •Proceed to the Document Verification window
- •Submit all original documents for checking
- •Staff will verify PSA birth certificate authenticity
- •Parent/guardian identity will be confirmed
- •Verify minor's personal information on screen
- •Confirm spelling of names and dates are correct
- •Parent/guardian signs consent on electronic pad
Biometrics Capture
- •Photo capture (all ages): minor's photo taken with white background, neutral expression, eyes open
- •For infants: parent may hold baby below camera frame
- •Fingerprints (age 7 and above): digital fingerprint scanning of all 10 fingers
- •Fingerprints not required for children below 7 years old
- •Signature (if able): minor signs on electronic pad if able to write, or parent/guardian signs on behalf if minor cannot
Pay Passport Fee and Wait for Release
- •Regular processing: ₱950 (12 working days)
- •Rush processing: ₱1,200 (6 working days)
- •Cash or card payment accepted
- •Option 1 - Pick-up at DFA office: bring valid ID and claim stub, check passport.gov.ph for release status, claiming hours 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- •Option 2 - Courier delivery: additional fee ₱150-200, delivered to your address via 2GO or LBC, 1-2 days after DFA release
- •Upon receiving: inspect passport thoroughly, check spelling of minor's name, verify birth date and other details, report any errors immediately
Complete Example: Baby Sofia's First Passport
Sofia (2 years old) needs a passport for a family trip. Both parents accompanied her to DFA Aseana. They brought Sofia's PSA birth certificate, their marriage certificate, and both parents' passports. The process took about 1 hour. They received Sofia's passport (valid 5 years) after 12 working days.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Appointment Fee | ₱350 |
| Passport Processing (Regular) | ₱950 |
| PSA Birth Certificate | ₱155 |
| Total | ~₱1,455 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a minor apply without both parents?
Yes. Only one parent needs to accompany the minor, but the absent parent must provide a notarized Affidavit of Support and Consent along with a photocopy of their valid ID. If the absent parent is abroad, the consent must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
What if parents are unmarried?
If the parents are unmarried, the mother can apply for the minor's passport. If the father wishes to accompany instead, he needs an Affidavit of Acknowledgment and the minor's PSA birth certificate showing his name as the father. The mother must also provide a notarized consent.
Do infants need to appear in person?
Yes. Even newborn infants must appear in person at the DFA office for photo capture. During the photo, the parent may hold the baby just below the camera frame so only the infant's face appears in the passport photo.
What is the DSWD Travel Clearance?
The DSWD Travel Clearance is a document required for minors who will be traveling abroad without their parents or with only one parent. It is issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure the safety and protection of the minor. This is separate from the passport application and must be obtained before travel.
Can a grandparent accompany instead of a parent?
A grandparent can only accompany the minor if they have been granted court-appointed legal guardianship. Without a court order, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives cannot apply on behalf of the minor. They must also secure a DSWD Travel Clearance.
How long is a minor's passport valid?
A minor's Philippine passport is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. This is different from adult passports which are valid for 10 years. Once the minor turns 18, they can apply for a new passport with a 10-year validity.
Can a minor apply for rush processing?
Yes. Minors can avail of rush processing at the same fees as adults. Rush processing costs ₱1,200 (instead of ₱950 for regular) and the passport will be released within 6 working days instead of 12 working days.
Important Reminders
- No walk-ins: You MUST have a confirmed online appointment. Walk-ins are not entertained.
- Minor must be present: The minor must personally appear regardless of age, even infants.
- Parent/guardian required: At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor.
- Original documents only: No laminated or photocopied documents accepted. Must be PSA-issued.
- 5-year validity: Minor passports are valid for 5 years only (not 10 years like adults).
- Consent from absent parent: If only one parent appears, a notarized Affidavit of Support and Consent is required.
- DSWD Travel Clearance: Required if the minor will travel without both parents.
- Appointment is non-refundable: The ₱350 appointment fee is non-refundable. Reschedule if you can't attend.
- Track status online: Check your application status at passport.gov.ph.
Need Help?
If you have questions about applying for a minor's passport, you can reach the DFA through the following channels:
- DFA Hotline: (02) 8234-3488
- Email: oca@dfa.gov.ph
- Website: passport.gov.ph
- Facebook: @dfaphl
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the DFA you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest DFA first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.