DFA New Passport Application: How to Apply for a Philippine Passport
Updated: June 2026Na-update: Hunyo 20265 min read5 minutong basahin
Common Mistakes to AvoidMga Karaniwang Pagkakamali
- Showing up in a sleeveless shirt, low-cut top, or eyeglasses for the photo.Pumunta na nakasleeveless, plunging neckline, o may salamin sa mata para sa litrato.DFA requires plain collared shirts or blouses with sleeves. Remove eyeglasses, hats, and contact lenses with colored tints before your slot.Plain collared shirt o blusa na may sleeves ang kailangan ng DFA. Tanggalin ang salamin, sumbrero, at kulay na contact lens bago ang slot mo.
- Bringing only photocopies of your supporting IDs.Pagdadala lang ng photocopy ng supporting IDs.Bring the ORIGINAL plus a photocopy of every supporting document. Photocopies alone are not accepted at the consular counter.Dalhin ang ORIHINAL at photocopy ng bawat dokumento. Photocopy lang, hindi tatanggapin sa counter.
- Skipping the appointment booking on passport.gov.ph.Pagsuway sa pag-book ng appointment sa passport.gov.ph.Walk-ins are NOT accepted at DFA consular offices except for narrow courtesy lanes (seniors, PWDs, OFWs, minors 7 and below with medical reasons). Book online ahead of time.HINDI tinatanggap ang walk-in sa DFA maliban sa courtesy lanes (senior, PWD, OFW, batang 7 pababa na may medical). Mag-book online.
A Philippine passport is your ticket to international travel and serves as a primary government-issued ID. This guide covers first-time passport applications for Filipino citizens.
Who Can Apply?
- Filipino citizens (by birth or naturalization)
- First-time passport applicants
- Those whose passport was lost or damaged
- Applicants with significant data changes (name, civil status, etc.)
- Minors (with parent/guardian consent)
Requirements
For Adult Applicants (18 years old and above):
- Confirmed Online Appointment (via passport.gov.ph)
- PSA Birth Certificate (original, unlaminated)
- Issued within the last 6 months (preferred)
- Security paper (SECPA) authenticated
- Valid IDs (2 government-issued IDs with photo and signature)
- Driver's License
- SSS/GSIS ID
- PRC License
- Postal ID
- Voter's ID
- UMID
- Senior Citizen ID
- PWD ID
- If married woman using married name:
- PSA Marriage Certificate (original)
For Minor Applicants (Below 18 years old):
- Confirmed Online Appointment
- PSA Birth Certificate of the minor (original, unlaminated)
- Valid ID of Minor (if 7 years old and above, at least 1 ID)
- Valid IDs of Parents (1 ID each, both parents must be present)
- If only one parent available: Notarized Consent from absent parent
- If deceased: Death Certificate
- If abroad: Notarized Consent authenticated by Philippine embassy
- PSA Marriage Certificate of parents (if married)
Step-by-Step Application Process
Complete Philippine Passport Application Process
1
Register and Fill Out Online Form
- •Visit passport.gov.ph and click 'Apply for Passport'
- •Create an account with email and password
- •Verify your email address
- •Fill out online application form: personal information, home address, emergency contact, parents' information, employment details
- •Upload passport-size photo (white background), scanned birth certificate, and scanned valid IDs
- •Double-check all information
- •Submit application form and generate Application Reference Number (ARN)
2
Book Your Appointment (FREE)
- •Book ONLY at the official portal: passport.gov.ph — appointment booking is FREE
- •Choose your preferred DFA office (Aseana, satellite offices, SM Mall, Robinsons Mall branches)
- •Select an available date and time (slots are released weekly)
- •Pay the passport processing fee online during booking. Authorized Payment Centers add a ~₱50 convenience fee on top
- •Payment methods: Credit/Debit Card, GCash, PayMaya, or over-the-counter (7-Eleven, Bayad Center)
- •Get appointment confirmation code and save the email — print or screenshot
- •Warning: anyone charging you a separate ₱350 'appointment fee' is a fixer — the official appointment is FREE
3
Prepare Your Documents
- •Appointment confirmation (printed or digital)
- •Application Reference Number (ARN)
- •PSA Birth Certificate (original, unlaminated)
- •Valid government IDs (2 original IDs)
- •PSA Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- •Payment for passport fee: Regular ₱950 or Rush ₱1,200 (plus ~₱50 convenience fee if paid through an authorized Payment Center)
- •Do NOT bring: laminated documents, photocopies, expired IDs, or documents from Local Civil Registry
4
Attend Your DFA Appointment
- •Arrive 15 minutes before appointment time
- •Do NOT arrive too early (may not be entertained)
- •Bring all required documents
- •Get your queue number at the DFA office
- •Proceed to document verification (staff checks requirements)
- •Encoding: verify personal information on screen
- •Pay passport processing fee
- •Biometrics capture: photo (neutral expression), signature (electronic pad), fingerprints (10 fingers)
- •Brief interview about your application
- •Get your claim stub
- •Entire process takes 1-3 hours depending on appointment volume
5
Claim Your Passport
- •Option 1 - Pick-up at DFA office: regular processing ~10 working days (Manila) / ~12 (outside Manila); rush ~5 working days (Manila) / ~7 (outside Manila). Bring valid ID and claim stub; check passport.gov.ph for release status; claiming hours 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- •Option 2 - Delivery via courier: choose during appointment booking, additional fee ₱150-200, delivered to your address 1-2 days after release (2GO or LBC)
- •Upon claiming: inspect passport thoroughly, check spelling of name, verify birth date and other details, report any errors immediately, and sign your passport on designated page
Processing Time & Fees
Per the official passport.gov.ph FAQ: appointment booking is FREE. The only mandatory fee is the passport processing fee below. Authorized Payment Centers add a ~₱50 convenience fee on top.
| Type | Processing Fee | Release Time (Manila) | Release Time (outside Manila) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | ₱950 | ~10 working days | ~12 working days |
| Rush | ₱1,200 | ~5 working days | ~7 working days |
* Senior citizens (60+) and PWDs are exempt from the passport processing fee under RA 9994 / RA 10754 — bring a valid Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID. Optional courier delivery costs roughly ₱150-200 via 2GO or LBC.
Important Notes
- No walk-ins: You MUST have a confirmed appointment. Walk-ins are not entertained.
- Original documents only: No laminated or photocopied documents accepted
- PSA certificates required: Local civil registry copies are NOT accepted
- Both parents must be present for minors: If not, bring notarized consent
- Passport validity: 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors (below 18)
- Photo guidelines: White background, no eyeglasses, neutral expression
- Appointment is FREE: Book only at passport.gov.ph. Anyone charging you a separate ₱350 "appointment fee" is a fixer — the official appointment costs nothing.
- Processing fee paid online at booking: ₱950 regular or ₱1,200 rush. Authorized Payment Centers add a ~₱50 convenience fee on top.
- Processing time: Counted from appointment date, not application date
- Check status online: Track your application at passport.gov.ph
Photo Requirements
- White or light-colored background
- Recent photo (taken within 6 months)
- Full face view, facing forward
- Neutral facial expression (no smiling)
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- No eyeglasses (prescription eyewear may be allowed)
- No headwear (except for religious purposes)
- No heavy makeup or filters
- Wearing proper attire (no sleeveless, halter tops)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk in without an appointment?
No. Online appointment is MANDATORY. No walk-in applications are accepted. You must book through passport.gov.ph.
Can I use photocopies of my documents?
No. You must bring ORIGINAL documents. Photocopies, even if notarized, are not accepted. Documents must also be unlaminated.
What if only one parent can attend for a minor's application?
The absent parent must provide a notarized Consent for the minor to apply. If the parent is abroad, the consent must be authenticated by the Philippine embassy.
How long does the entire process take at DFA?
The actual appointment at DFA takes 1-3 hours depending on the volume of applicants. This includes document verification, biometrics, and payment.
Can seniors and PWDs really get passports for free?
Senior citizens (60+) and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are exempt from the passport processing fee (₱950 / ₱1,200) under RA 9994 and RA 10754. The appointment itself is already free for everyone via passport.gov.ph. Bring a valid Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID. Authorized Payment Centers may still charge a small ~₱50 convenience fee if you transact through them.
Sources
- Official — passport.gov.ph FAQ (free appointment, ₱950/₱1,200 processing fee, ~PHP 50 convenience fee at Payment Centers, 10/12 working days regular Manila/outside, 5/7 expedited).
- DFA-OCA — Passport fees.
- PNA — "Passport releases shortened to as early as 6 days: DFA".
- PNA — DFA ePayment portal for passport processing fee.
- RA 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act) and RA 10754 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, expanded benefits) — passport processing fee exemption.
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.