One of the dreams of many young Filipinos is to be able to fill their passports with stamps from various countries. Traveling to different countries is undoubtedly one of the dreams of every passport holder. The passport grants us the ability to travel to different locations, and as we all know from Spider-mantra, Man’s with great power comes great responsibility. One of the responsibilities of a passport holder is to renew it every 5 or 10 years.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you renew your passport at least six months before it expires, as most airlines and immigration officials require at least six months of validity. The Philippine passport has a ten-year validity period for those issued to Filipinos 18 years or older, according to Department Order No. 010-2017 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10928 (2017). Filipinos under the age of 18 will continue to be issued passports that are valid for five years.
Renewal of a passport in your host country is usually more convenient and less expensive than in the Philippines if you are an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) or a permanent resident abroad. After all, you are dubbed “modern heroes” for your sacrifices and significant contribution to remittances, which generate revenue for our country. With that, there is no need to leave your work abroad or wait until your next vacation back home because you can renew your passport at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate-General.
There are 2 types of passports holders to be discussed in this article: Adult (with ePassport) and Adult (without ePassport).
What is an ePassport?
According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), An Electronic Passport, also known as an ePassport, is defined as a “passport that contains an integrated circuit or chip embedded in one of the passport pages.”
The Philippine ePassport enables the verification of information stored on the chip with information visually displayed on the passport. It employs contactless microchip technology, which enables the information stored on the chip to be read at close range by special chip readers. The Philippine ePassport also includes the holder’s integrated photograph, a digitized secondary photo, and an electronic print of the holder’s signature.
Also, according to DFA, that “this chip is highly interoperable, which means it can be read by any standard border control machine around the world. The chip technology enables the information stored in an ePassport to be read at close range by special chip readers. It is outfitted with high-security mechanisms to prevent any forcible skimming of the data it contains, cloning, or remote reading.”
What is the difference between the current maroon machine-readable passport (MRP) and the ePassport?
An MRP is a passport that includes a machine-readable zone (MRZ) printed to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. It can be read both manually and with the aid of a machine.
On the other hand, an ePassport contains an embedded IC chip on which the bearer’s photograph and personal information are stored in accordance with ICAO specifications. Chip readers can read this information from a short distance. A machine-readable zone is also included in an ePassport.
What benefits does the Philippine ePassport provide?
Because the ePassport is highly secure, it prevents passport reproduction and tampering. The ePassport database has been enhanced with AFIS, which prevents multiple passport issuances to the same person and improves imposter detection.
It enables travelers to pass through immigration checks quickly.ePassports offer travelers benefits such as automated border clearance or “E-gates,” automated boarding pass issuance, and faster travel arrangements with airlines.The use of electronic passports also improves border protection and security for countries.
If you are interested to have your ePassport keep in mind that the requirements for processing will remain the same as that for the MRP, although personal appearance is required for the taking of biometrics (i.e., fingerprints, photo, and signature).
Passport Renewal Requirements for Adult (with ePassport)
1. Confirmed Online Appointment
To set an appointment with your renewal of passport go to this link: Passport Appointment System. After that you will receive an email asking you to confirm the appointment after completing the online appointment form. After clicking CONFIRM, you will receive another e-mail containing the application form and instructions. Please PRINT the application.
Remember! An appointment is strictly required. The Embassy’s Consular Section will not process an application without a confirmed appointment. Additionally, setting of an appointment is free of charge.
2. Accomplished Application Form
After printing the application form, you must complete and fill out all of the information requested by the agency.
3. Personal appearance
Bring the following documentary requirements from numbers 1, 2, and 4 to your appointment with the Embassy for your passport renewal. The fifth requirement is only required if you want to change your name.
- Current ePassport with photocopy of data page
- Original PSA authenticated documents that will support the change of name (Only if you want to change your name, this is optional.)
- Marriage Contract
- Annotated Birth Certificate
- Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court ordered instruction
Additional Requirement for non ePassport
If the adult passport holder still has an MRP or (Green, Brown, Machine Readable (Maroon) Passport or any older Passports, it is recommended that you bring any of the following valid IDs with one (1) photocopy:Social Security System (SSS) Card
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Card
- Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License. Student Permit may be accepted if in card format.
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
- Philippine Identification (PhilID)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-Card
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate issued from COMELEC main office in Intramuros, Manila (Certificates issued in COMELEC’s regional offices may require further verification. Applicants are requested to present NBI or police clearance along with the Voter’s Certificate).
- Philippine National Police (PNP) Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence
- Senior Citizen ID
- Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards)
- Philippine Postal ID (issued November 2016 onwards)
- Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB)(*must be issued Feb 2020 onwards) issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- Valid or Latest Passport (For Renewal of Passport)
- For minor applicants, School ID OR Certificate of Enrolment with photo of minor and dry seal of school may be presented.
It should be noted that all passports are printed in the Philippines. Your new Philippine passport should be ready to pick up six (6) weeks after your successful passport renewal application. The Embassy is not responsible for any delays in the availability of a passport as a result of possible production and shipment issues.
Please bring the following items to your passport collection appointment:
- The email confirming your passport collection appointment;
- When you applied for your passport, you were given a BLUE consular collection slip.
- Your old Philippine passport will be cancelled and returned to you along with your new one. If the old passport is not presented for cancellation, your new passport will not be issued.
- If the new passport will be claimed by proxy, a signed authorization letter from the passport holder is required. The new passport will not be issued unless the signed authorization letter is presented along with the proxy’s proof of identification. (It should be noted that minors’ passports can only be obtained by their Filipino mother/father.)
What if you lost your VALID ePassport (this will be treated as new application)
- (Online appointment still required)
- If photo copy of the applicant’s last issued passport is available, the Birth Certificate will not be required.
Additional Requirements for Lost Valid ePassport:
- Police Report in English (Original and photocopy)
- Affidavit of Loss in English (Original and photocopy)
- Penalty Fee: Php350.00
