HOW TO GET A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT FOR FIRST TIME APPLICANTS

PART 1: For First Time Applicants

(For Renewal Click Here)

1

Have at least 1 piece of acceptable picture ID. You will need it to prove your identity and use it throughout the process of obtaining your passport such as filling out forms. These IDs need to be government-issued and have your photo on them.^[1] Acceptable government-issued IDs are:

• Driver's license
• Digitized Social Security System (SSS) ID
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) eCard ^[2]
• Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID^[3]
• Integrated Bar of the Phils. (IBP) ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• Digitized Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• Old college IDs, Alumni IDs and old employment IDs are also acceptable.

2

Have 3 pieces of supporting documents. Along with your picture ID, these documents together prove your identity and citizenship. If you are confused about what supporting documents you will need, you can contact the DFA for more information. In most cases, when you make your appointment with the DFA, the Customer Care Officer you are speaking with will let you know what supporting documents you need to present. Supporting documents can be your:^[4]

• Voter's ID
• NSO Marriage Contract
• Land Title
• Seaman’s Book
• Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal
• Government Service Record
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Barangay Clearance

3

Obtain your birth certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO). First time applicants are required to submit a birth certificate. If you are renewing your passport, in most cases, a birth certificate is not required. You can request your birth certificate from NSO's website, pay for it online, and track its progress. Or you can make a request by calling their hotline at (02) 737-1111. Your certificate will then be delivered to you.

• Alternatively, you can travel to a NSO Serbilis Outlet and request a birth certificate in person. Use the Serbilis Centre locator to find one nearest to you. However, expect to be in line for long hours.
• Check the NSO's website for delivery dates. In most cases, you will receive your certificate by courier in 3-9 working days. If you apply in person at a Census Serbilis Center, you can receive your certificate within 2-3 working days.
• The NSO is Philippine's major statistical agency that is responsible for keeping census records.^[5]

4

Get your Marriage Contract. Depending on who you are or who you've married, you may need to submit a marriage contract with your birth certificate and any other supporting documents. Go onto the DFA website to see a complete list of additional requirements.

• For married women: You must submit a marriage contract issued by the NSO or a Certified True Copy (CTC) issued by your Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and authenticated by the NSO.
• For spouses of foreign nationals (or non-citizens of the Philippines): You must submit a marriage contract issued by the NSO, or a CTC issued by your LCR and authenticated by the NSO. The marriage must also be reported to the NSO. You must also present an original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance.
• For people who married overseas: You must submit a Report of Marriageauthenticated by the NSO.
• Marriage Contracts are obtained the same way you would obtain a Birth Certificate from the NSO.

5

Obtain additional documents from your parents and/or guardians if you are under 18 years old. Your parents or guardians will need to submit additional documents along with the your birth certificate such as their marriage contract or passport copy. You will also need to include supporting ID documents like your School ID. Go onto the DFA website to see a complete list of additional requirements, especially if you or the minor is an orphan or illegitimate child. The general documentation requirements are:

• NSO issued birth certificate.
• Document with photo such as a School ID or Form 137 with a readable dry seal (for applicants 8-17 years old). If the minor has never attended school, a parent must submit a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation that details the reasons why the child is not in school.
• If the minor's parents are married, a marriage certificate issued by the NSO is required.
• Photocopy of a valid passport of either parent or any other acceptable identification document.
• Original and photocopy of the valid passport of the person travelling with the minor.
• If the child is an illegitimate child, then all documents required from a parent will fall under the responsibility of the child's birth mother.

6

Obtain a Certificate of Tribal Affiliation from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) if you are a Muslim applicant. To obtain a Certificate, make a personal appearance at the Bureau of External Relations (BER) and submit an application. You will also need to submit a passport sized colour photo of yourself to the BER.^[6]

• If you would like to use your Muslim name on your passport, you must obtain an Annotated Birth Certificate from the NSO that shows your Muslim name.

7

Provide proof of Philippine citizenship if you have dual citizenship. These documents prove your allegiance and citizenship to the Philippines and are issued and obtained from the Bureau of Immigration Office. Most likely, you will already have received these documents when you applied for dual citizenship.^[7]. You will need:

• Identification Certificate
• Oath of Allegiance
• Order of Approval
• Report of Birth (if you were born outside of the Philippines).

8

Photocopy all IDs and original documents. You should make at least 2 copies of each document. If you do not bring the original and photocopied documents to your DFA, the DFA will not continue with your appointment.

NEXT > (GETTING AN APPOINTMENT)

(For Renewal Click  Here)

Source: WikiHow.com