Image credits: www.toploadingforlife.com
Hello everyone! Today's blog will be regarding the recent renewal of my passport. This includes both the securing of the required documents as well as the process itself which just occurred yesterday, Saturday, July 22, 2017 at DFA Mandaue.
Actually, my passport is still valid until December of this year however, since my husband's company had notified him that he'll be traveling to Sweden by end of August or early September as a visit to their company client base in Sweden itself, we both thought it would be better for the both of us to renew it together.
However, the issue now is that the Department of Foreign Affairs office had implemented this new processing where in each single one who want to apply for a new passport or perhaps renew their existing one should acquire an appointment at the DFA offices near to them.
Image credits: outoftownblog.com
But before I continue, let me share here below the requirements for both new applicants and for those renewing their Philippine passports:
For new applicants:
• Personal appearance
• Confirmed appointment
• Duly accomplished application form – may be downloaded from the DFA website, www.dfa.gov.ph
• Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by PSA. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in PSA Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (REPORT OF BIRTH DULY AUTHENTICATED BY PSA IF BORN ABROAD)
• Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)
More information: www.dfa.gov.ph
Those who want to renew their passports:
• Personal appearance
• Confirmed appointment
• Duly accomplished application form – may be downloaded from the DFA website, www.dfa.gov.ph
• Most recent expiring or expired passport
• Acceptable IDs at least one (1): for Brown, Green and MRP (without IC Chip logo). Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs
• Other Supporting Document as necessary
More information: www.dfa.gov.ph
My First Passport Application
Image credits: www.exoticphilippines.info
Last back in 2012, I had applied for a new passport which has a validity of five years. It was a bit of a hassle because there was still no online appointment at that time. My application took me three days. The first day, I woke up very early at around five the morning so I can secure a number by lining up at the DFA office. But sad thing was that at that early time, they ran out of priority numbers which means, we have to come back the next day.
The next day, I woke up earlier at four in the morning but the same thing happened. It was such a bad experience that almost all that were coming after us were complaining and babbling about this. Of course I was also very upset that this was the second day that the same event occurred but I can't do anything about it so the next day, I had to go very early to secure my spot. It was a success but the issue was that they were giving the actual priority number at six in the morning. So all those who were waiting, around five hundred had to find their best way to either sit, lie down or whatever they can do to fight sleepiness.
Video credits: G Dumaguing via YouTube.com
The process is definitely fast when your documents are complete but if you have missing identification cards and other supporting documents, it would take you forever again because believe it or not, it is just as hard as passing into the eye of a needle to get identification cards and documents in the Philippines. I don't know why but it is just hard and it takes a lot of time. So when I had my first application, I brought as many documents as possible. Sometimes, it will also depend on the personnel who is working on the application.
The process went well because I had provided him with all the possible documents for this and I had to wait for a couple of weeks for my new passport. I had opted to pick it up but when my family members went to get their own passports too before, they had asked to have it delivered since they are from Bohol and it would cost them money and energy to get to Cebu again. An additional fee has to be paid for that.
Renewing my Passport
Image credits: www.justjeric.com
I had only used my passport when I went to Dubai, United Arab Emirates last 2012. I have not used it ever since except for those transactions which requires identification cards.
There were couple of reasons why I had to renew my passport:
1. I am married now, so I have to change my last name to Figues
2. My civil status should be updated as well to married
3. My passport is about to expire on December 2017
4. I need to accompany my husband and I have a Pregnancy Test document which can allow me to process it without an online appointment.
Yes the last reason was really a lie. I don't have any choice though because my husband needs his passport renewed because traveling to Sweden requires the passport to be valid at least a year from the date of travel.
For us, it would be a chance that he won't be traveling to Tacloban (which has the earliest online appointment), unfortunately, Cebu's DFA earliest appointment is on October. So they have no choice but to look for another office which has better appointment dates.
Anyway, we don't know if this would be successful but we have to give it a shot. Since renewal of passports has less requirements than securing it the first time so preparation of my documents and my husband's was not tiring at all. We already have our own NSO copy of our Marriage Certificate which is needed so I can update my civil status and my last name.
Here are the steps I took for renewal of my passport. Read on.
Image credits: michaellibby.blogspot.com
My husband and I arrived at the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City where the DFA office is located at the fourth floor. We went into the mall, went to the office and was welcomed by the security personnel at the front door.
The lady guard asked if we have an appointment set up for today but we shook our heads but I showed her my pregnancy test document and she allowed me in however, she won't let James come in because pregnant women don't have any dependents compared to senior citizens and minor ones. This is was unfortunate and I was thinking not to pursue it but James urged me to do so since we were already here and that he'll just come together with his colleagues to Tacloban by next week instead.
First Step: Information
Image credits: michaelbriantina.wordpress.com
In the first table, two ladies were checking the appointments of the people coming in the office as well as those who were just walking in such as Disabled ones, Senior Citizens, Minors and Pregnant Women.
The lady asked for my pregnancy test document and attached it to my application form, added a note that this is a priority application. There's a separate line for those prioritized ones and a separate line for those who have online appointments.
The online appointment system has been expanded to include the following DFA Regional Consular Offices and Satellite Offices in the Philippines:
Angeles
Bacolod
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Calasiao
Cebu
DFA Manila (Aseana)
DFA NCR East (Megamall)
DFA NCR Northeast (Ali Mall)
DFA NCR South (Alabang)
DFA NCR West (SM Manila)
Davao
Dumaguete
General Santos
Iloilo
La Union Legazpi
Lucena
Pampanga
Puerto Princesa
Tacloban
Tuguegarao
Zamboanga
Information reference: smalltowngirlsmidnighttrains.com
Second Step: Document Verification
Video credits: eduardo tangalin via YouTube.com
I proceed to the next room which has a security personnel waiting. He asked for my document and he directed me to the priority lane where there were just three senior citizens before me.
I waited for only five minutes before I was entertained. The gentleman behind the glass table asked for my documents, checked it and didn't ask for anything else, stamped it with certain information and instructed me to proceed to the cashier.
Third Step: Cashier
A sample receipt. Image credits: Sorcier.org
Saturdays are indeed not busy for the employees in the Department of Foreign Affairs office as there were only a couple of heads in line at the cashier window. There was only one working as well.
For normal days, the fees are as follows:
Php 950 - normal 15 working days process
Php 1200 - express processing, 7 working days only
However, for those processing on Saturdays and during consular outreach missions are always subject to Php 1200 fee for all the processes.
Image credits: mustbethatgirl.blogspot.com
Any Saturday transaction is considered a service requiring special consideration. Such transactions are therefore subject to the express processing fee of P250, which is added on top of the regular processing fee of the service.
This is applicable to all DFA Satellite Consular Offices and Regional Consular Offices that are open to serve the public on Saturdays.
Information Reference: news.mb.com.ph
The cashier gives the receipt which states as well the date of when the passport can be released.
Fourth Step: Encoding
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via bitLanders.com
This step is partly a bit longer compared to the previous steps because the information has to be made sure that they are correct in inputting into the system. Also the photos are being captured by the personnel as well as the electronic signatures.
For priority lane, the documents are given directly to the personnel so they can just call the name of the applicant while in the normal lane, they have their documents in hand with them and wait for the line.
The priority lane is indeed faster but they also have a more challenging tasks because they are handing children, some are stubborn and seniors who need to be guided and assisted.
Fifth Step: Releasing
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via bitLanders.com
My releasing date is labeled as August 4, 2017. I will have to return to the office and surrender to them my old passport and they'll release my new passport.
The entire process only took me around thirty minutes, my husband didn't even get bored waiting outside. He was on his headphones and when I came out, he was surprised that I'm done.
Overall, I like that the process is faster and better but I hope they can allow dependents for other prioritized persons. Also, the online appointment should give more slots.
Note that if you have appointments, you have to go there early and be prompt enough before your scheduled appointments. So please try to answer the following Querlo chatbot about being early and prompt:
Hope you learned something about the process.
Best regards,
Jean Beltran-Figues
