Since I just got the certified true copy of my newborn’s birth certificate last week and I have to go back to Singapore in a few weeks, I had to go line up at the Department of Foreign Affairs along Roxas Blvd to get the passport faster. That is, faster than the less hassle way of calling up Pilipinas Teleserv.
Here’s a rough walk through of the process:
Get to the DFA early. I would recommend getting there 7:30AM to avoid the long lines. DFA doesn’t open until 8AM but you’ll be surprised to see that there’s a long line to the entrance already by 7:30 AM. I got there around a little past 8AM and there were a lot of people already. Plus, I saw a sign there that they can only process 1500 applications at a time due to machine limitations. So if you arrive later, you might not make the cut-off.
The entrance to the passport application area is at the back of the DFA building. So, if you’re facing the DFA building, you’ll need to walk to your right and then turn left at the corner and walk about 3 minutes to the gate.
It’s best that you get there with all the requirements ready and photocopied, and your application form filled up, and already thumbmarked. You’ll need 3 passport size ID pictures – 1 is pasted on the upper right corner of the application form, the remaining 2 is placed inside a small plastic and stapled (the plastic not the photos) on the lower left of the application form.
On your way to the gate, you’ll be intercepted by a lot of people wearing barangay IDs (probably to make them look official). If you’re requirements are complete, you have no need for their services so you can just ignore them and go straight to the gate.
In my case, my newborn’s birth certificate still doesn’t come in the NSO security paper because it takes a while (about 3-4 months) for the records to get from City Hall to the National Statistics Office (NSO). So before going to DFA, I had the certified true copy (CTC) of my son’s birth certificate from City Hall stamped at NSO. (You still pay the same amount as if you requested a copy of the birth certificate on NSO security paper.)
When you enter the gate, go straight to the basketball court on the right side for documents verification. After that, you go to Gate 3 for new applications (or Gate 2 for renewal). Then enter the first door on the right for another documents verification. The lines here are per window, so choose the window with the shortest line. If all your papers are ok, they will ask you to proceed to the auditorium where you’ll pay first and then line up for fingerprinting. That’s it.
It sounds pretty quick and easy on paper, but the lines are long. I arrived 8AM and finished at around 10:30AM. By the time I finished, the lines were even longer for those who were just starting.
26 responses so far ↓
1 calvin // Sep 19, 2009 at 1:05 am
2.5 hours lang! not bad. nag-improve na pala sila since nung 90′s. hehehe.
.-= calvin´s last blog ..King of the Road Marathon brings you adidas discounts =-.
2 noee // Sep 19, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Relatively maaga kasi ako dumating. Kung medyo tinanghali ako, ayun malamang natagalan ako.
3 mumai // Feb 2, 2010 at 8:09 pm
hi Noee.. ask ko lang po if u had ur baby phographed in a studio. ksi mejo mahirap kuhanan ng pic pag newborn eh. Pwede kaya photoshopped na picture with royal blue background? Thanks!
4 noee // Feb 2, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hi mumai,
Ang ginawa ko is I had my son lie down on a royal blue background and took his picture. Kasi sa pinuntahan kong picture place, hindi pwede kunan kung di pa nya kaya ang head nya. Tapos konting ayos here and there sa PS. Just keep in mind the guidelines for passport pictures. http://www.onlinepassportphoto.com/Philippines_passport_photo_size.pdf
.-= noee´s last blog ..Education Fees for Permanent Residents and foreigners to triple by 2012 =-.
5 BETH // Feb 24, 2010 at 5:51 am
ILANG ARAW ANG WAITING PERIOD TO GET THE PASSPORT?
6 Ms. Tsiken // Feb 24, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Hi Beth,
I vaguely remember it was 7-10 days. When I went there wala sila nung option na rush 4 days.
7 Ainnie // May 16, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Hi Noee, would like to ask, how long did it take for you to get the Birth Certificate from City Hall and have it stamped by NSO? I mean how long would the process take from the date of birth. I’m also working in Singapore and plan to give birth in Philippines. I’m just worried that I won’t be able to finish the passport application in one month. Thanks!
8 Noee // May 17, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Hi Ainnie,
It took about 3-4 months for NSO to get my son’s birth cert in their system. But you can bring a photocopy of the birth certificate to NSO and have it stamped. (Same charge as getting an NSO birth cert.)
9 Leia // Aug 28, 2010 at 8:14 am
Hi Noee,
I just give birth here in Philippines last 22 Aug and will be returning in Singapore on1 Oct. Is the birth cert you’re referring to same as the certificate of live birth from the local registry? Then I’ll bring it to NSO for stamping? Anu ung mga requirements for the infant to apply for passport? Thanks
10 Ms. Tsiken // Sep 26, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Yeah, the birth certificate I had was the one I got from the hospital. It was from the local registry. You can find the requirements here: http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/consular-services/passport
Some studios can only take pictures of babies when they can already support their neck. Look for one who can take pictures of the baby lying down.
11 Leia // Sep 28, 2010 at 7:36 am
Hello to all!
I just wanna share my experience in getting passport for my baby just recently.
22 Aug 2010 – I gave birth.
28 Aug 2010 – I just learned that you would not be entertained in DFA if you don’t have appointment which you must do online. The scary thing is that at this point in time, the earliest appointment that you can book is most probably in Oct. OMG! my flight back to Singapore is 1 Oct and I need to bring along my baby. So I immediately book online and I was frightened because the earliest date was 12 Oct. But I learned that you can book multiple schedules and once you book a new one, the old schedule will automatically be cancelled. So I tried to book dozens of times, and I got lucky, there were available slots in Sep which I quickly took coz in a matter of second, poof! its gone.
4 Sep 2010 – I got certificate of live birth issued by the local registry with a certified true copy attached
6 Sep 2010 – I went to NSO to apply for an authenticated birth cert. in (local registry) SECPA. The birth certificate in which is on NSO security paper will only be available after 1 month.
8 Sep 2010 – I got the birth certificate in SECPA from NSO.
13 Sep 2010 – my schedule was 1:30 pm this day. It was stated in the instructions that I must come 30 mins before the schedule. early/late comers will not be entertained. One more thing is that PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF APPLICANTS IS REQUIRED FROM ZERO AGE. So I brought with me my son who is 3 weeks old only by that time. No need to bring any picture. Take note of the required documents which will be stated while you are booking an appointment. We entered at Gate 2 and just showed to the guards our printed application form. After that, we were instructed to proceed to Second floor. Then, we presented our requirements at the information counter, just outside the doors. The personnel on duty will check if your documents are complete, then will give you a queue no. Then you can proceed inside and wait for your no. When it’s your turn, you can proceed to the stated window no. then present your documents. After that you will be asked to pay at the cashier just inside the room. REGULAR processing is worth P950 which will take 20 WORKING DAYS. We took the RUSH processing which will took 10 WORKING DAYS. Hence, since we applied at this date, the passport will be ready for collection by 27 Sep. After payment, we went to the other room for the photo-taking. Luckily, my baby was awake at that time. Then just tell the guard that your baby will have his picture taken and he will guide you where you need to go. We just presented the application form to the officer and waited for him to call us. Then when its our turn, I must hold my baby in a way that my hands will not be visible. It was uneasy as my baby cannot support his head yet and sometimes he will close his eyes. After the photo was taken, we went to the first room. Then we paid for the delivery service which costs P120. LBC was the courier and they will deliver it on the next day, which in my case is 28 Sep. The total time spent was 2 hours.
12 Ms. Tsiken // Sep 29, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Hi leia, thanks for that very useful information. It seems there’s been some changes since i applied for my baby’s passport. This is very useful for other mommy’s in the same situation.
13 Leia // Sep 30, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hi Ms Tsiken, yeah, I’m glad I can help!
I will be travelling back tomorrow to Singapore. I got my baby’s passport on 28 Sep as what I was told and the courier came at around 9:30am.
14 rhocyl // Nov 6, 2010 at 1:36 pm
hi.. I just wanna ask, what is needed for the stamping at NSO? I’ve read that you can still get the passport even without the NSO. Thanks
15 Ms. Tsiken // Nov 8, 2010 at 12:33 am
Just take photocopies of the birth certificate from the local registry and bring to NSO. They will stamp it as certfied true copy. But the charge is the same as requesting for NSO paper copy.
16 Lea // Dec 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hi ms.Leia!
My newborn is just 1 mo.old. We are planning to get her a passport too. Is it ok if my husband will be the one to apply for her? I have heard that if you are applying for less a year old baby, there is no need to apply-by-appointment… Have you heard about it!
Thanks for any information you could give!
God bless!
17 Leia // Dec 17, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Hi lea,
For Minors (below 18 years old)
Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is of legitimate status).
Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of illegitimate status)
If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:
Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
Affidavit of Support and Consent
(source: http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/consular-services/passport)
All passport applicants scheduled for appearance must appear physically at the DFA at the date and time of their scheduled personal appearance for data and image capturing. This applies to all passport applicants, aging from 0 years old onwards. DFA is strict about the personal appearance system, absolutely no chaperone allowed for passport applicants aging 18 years old onwards.
I applied passport for my baby when he was 3 weeks old. Its actually very troublesome and as you know, babies at this age will be sleeping most of the time. During photo-taking,your baby must be awake. Luckily my baby was awake that time. =) Are you gonna apply in DFA Manila? If yes, appointment and personal appearance is necessary. I ‘m not aware if regional DFA office have appointment system since their applications request may not be that much. I hope I have somewhat answered your question. =)
18 Lea // Dec 17, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hi Leia,
Thanks a lot for the info.! It’s really a big help! Thanks also to other persons who are generous in sharing knowledge on this matter! God bless us all!
19 lian // Dec 22, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Hi Leia,
Did ur newborn baby had baptized in Church? Its bcoz i inquired in an agency and they said BC from NSO and baptismal is the requirements for newborn babies to get passport. Thanks. Happy holidays.
20 Leia // Dec 30, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Hi lian,
The baptismal certificate is not a requirement. I suggest u don’t go for an agency as ur baby would still be required to appear at the DFA. I just have the BC in NSO or SECPA (if NSO is not yet available like in my case) and my marriage contract. That’s all! You may want to read again my post above regarding the process that I took.
Happy New Year!
21 Mich // Mar 3, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Hi Leia, can I go to any NSO branch like the one in Macapagal(Pasay) or I have to go to their main office? Where did you had your child’s BC stamped?
22 martha // Mar 17, 2011 at 7:47 am
hello..is it the same process for 2011? thanks for the info;) Godbless
23 Lea // Mar 17, 2011 at 10:06 am
For information to everybody. I got my baby’s birthcert by bringing the certified true copy to NSO -East ave. They asked us if we in a hurry… They manually inputed the Bc into their system and we got it after 2weeks since we are just planning to trip abroad and not in hurry. After, we go to DFA lucena, where senior and infant need not to get appointment. Now, we are just waiting 35 days… Lbc will deliver it.
24 Leia // Mar 17, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Hi Mich,
I went to the NSO at the same place where the local registrar who issued the cert of live birth is situated
25 Francis // Apr 18, 2011 at 12:40 pm
This is what happened now in Clark DFA when my wife applying for passport today – Collection is June 10 !!! Over 40 days of process just to obtain the passport.
This is what happened now in San Fernando NSO when my wife is trying to get the birth certificate for my new born baby – They dont keep a copy of the birth certificate where i hoped to get a CTC in order to apply the passport. The staff in the NSO has explained that DFA no longer accepts the birth certificate as Certified True Copy but only the original from NSO (Manila). How true can that be ?
26 cj // Sep 26, 2011 at 1:57 pm
You can find all the address of Philipoine Embassy locations here
http://www.ofwtoday.com/embassy.html
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