The world seemingly stopped when the pandemic hit back in 2020. Aside from work, private institutions, government offices like the Department Of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also stopped processing appointments for passport renewals because of the pandemic. A year on, the DFA has since adapted to the new normal, and now has taken comprehensive steps to allow for online passport renewal for the Philippines in 2021.

Steps For Online Passport Renewal Philippines 2021:

• Prepare Your Requirements
• Schedule Your Passport Renewal Appointment Online
• Select Your Preferred DFA Site Location
• Select Your Online Appointment Schedule
• Input Your Personal Information
• Wait For The Email Confirmation And Pay The Passport Application Fee
• Print Your DFA Passport Documents And Requirements
• Proceed To Your Appointment
• Wait For Your Passport Release

First, you will need your passport requirements. Here are the following requirements needed:

• Current Philippine passport
• Photocopy of your Philippine passport data page

For special cases such as a passport name change, you will need a marriage contract, annotated birth certificate, annotated marriage contract, or death certificate of spouse. Just choose one document, you don’t need all of these to change your name on your passport.

Once you have all your requirements prepared, it’s time to schedule your passport renewal. Go to the official https://passport.gov.ph/appointment and review the terms and conditions. Once you’re done with that scroll to the bottom and tick the check box to confirm that you understand the above information. Choose from individual or group appointments. Only choose group appointments if you plan to apply or renew for more than one person. Make sure all the information you input the fields is accurate. It’s always best to double-check everything to avoid discrepancies that can lead to the delay or rejection of your passport application. 

If you’re applying for more than one person you will be asked for the number of applicants. Do take note that you are only allowed a maximum of 5 applicants only. Click next to proceed to the next step of your renewal process. 

The next step is to choose your preferred DFA site location. Choose the nearest one available for your convenience. After choosing your site location, you will be prompted to choose a schedule. The ones highlighted in green are the available dates to choose from. Bring out your current passport for the next step. The next step is pretty straightforward as you will only need to put the following:

• Personal Information
• Family Information
• Application Information
• Contact Information
• Group Contact Information (Input this information if you’re applying for a group)

The information you put in should be accurate. Ensure that you’ve double-checked each. Click next after you’re done. You will now have to wait for the email confirmation and pay the application fee. The email you received should be from [email protected]. The email should include your reference number and payment instructions. Take note that you only have 24 hours to pay for your passport application. The Philippine passport fees are as follows: 

PHP 950 for 12 business days

PHP 1,200 for 6 business days

Keep your reference number and pay the fees in these accredited outlets:

• Robinsons malls and supermarket
• LBC
• eBiz
• Perahub
• USSC
• Truemoney
• Villarica
• 711
• ECPay outlets
• Bayad Center or Bayad Center app

Take note that group application fees are to be paid individually. If your payment is successful, you will receive another email confirmation and a PDF file containing important reminders, steps at the data capturing site, a completed Philippine passport application form, and an electronic receipt. Print all of these using A4 size sheets of paper and don’t forget to bring these documents to your appointment. 

On your passport appointment day, it’s best to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. Be sure to dress properly – closed shoes and clothes that cover your shoulders. Shorts, skirts, or revealing outfits are not allowed. You’re also highly discouraged to wear heavy makeup. 

Before you enter the appointment site, a guard stationed at the verification counter will be there to check your printed A4 documents and identification. After everything is checked, you will be given a priority number. Wait for your number to be called and present your verified documents to the encoder. Another number will be given to you.

 Proceed to the encoding counter once your number is called. This is where your photo will be taken. After your photo is taken review the current information encoded and make sure that it’s accurate. After checking the accuracy of your information, you will receive a claim stub with a tentative passport release date. If you want to, you can have your passport delivered to you via courier. Prices will depend on the couriers inside the site. LBC usually charges PHP 150 for delivery. 

Lastly, wait for your passport to be processed for your online passport renewal in the Philippines for 2021. The processing time usually takes up to 15 working days. 

The DFA has also rolled out a public advisory against passport appointment scams. The individuals offering DFA passport appointment slots and fake passport appointment documents in exchange for payment should be avoided at all costs. Do not fall for these obvious scams and always go for the legitimate route. 

For those with urgent travel needs, send an email to DFA-OCA ([email protected]) or go to the nearest Consular Office and present your proof of urgent travel so they can attend to your request accordingly. If you still need extra information, be sure to visit the DFA travel advisories page for more information on online passport renewal in the Philippines for 2021. 

Thankfully, the passport renewal process is not as tedious as it was before. It may still take a bit of time to go through each step, it’s definitely more streamlined now. Make sure you follow their official page for updates.