My passport expired last 2010. I had it before I got married because we were planning to have our honeymoon overseas then. It didn't push thru but I had my first stamp months before it was about to expire when I had a Singapore trip.
I had this day reserved for passport processing. My husband and I are getting ours renewed while Sofi will have her first ever passport. 12 days back, I reserved online for an appointment. While there's an option to call, I see convenience in online reservations. To get started, go to:
This leads to DFA's Passport Appointment System. It's a very straightforward website, giving you info on "What to Expect", "Setting an Appointment", "Documentary Requirements", fees, cancelling a scheduled appointment and how to get there. It was my first time to see this appointment system, and I assure you -- it's easy, peasy!
When you're ready to set an appointment, you can do individual application or family application. Since we're all going, I used the latter application form. It's just a series of fields that you have to answer for DFA data. After which, you're ready to set your chosen date and time. Since my morning is booked with Sofi's school activity I opted for the 3PM appointment. Bad choice but no choice!
Documents should be photocopied and IDs should be checked as not all IDs are accepted. Most of all NSO issued documents should be ready by the time you get to DFA. If you are still getting your NSO documents choose a date at least a 5 working days after. IMPORTANT: photocopy or print the application form twice. Dad had to step out of the processing area to have our forms photocopied. No worries because they will still accommodate you, it's just that it would be an extra hassle on your part having to go back to the sunny part.
Getting there:
Here's the map going to DFA Aseana from passport.com
The Application Form will tell you to be there 30 minutes before your appointment. When we got there, a lot of people were outside as they all wanted to be accommodated. We entered the middle gate and once you are able to get thru a validation table is waiting for you to check on your application form. Once stamped, they will direct you to the benches where all the applicants are waiting for their turn to enter the air-conditioned area. The guards will ask you about your sched. They were accommodating at the moment those who have a 2:30 schedule. The 3PM applicants were sent at the back, to form a new queue. Dad insisted that we stay with the 2:30 applicants. Why? Because by the time you get at the front of the queue, it's already 3PM. In fact when you get inside (Step 1) the air-conditioned room, a series of benches are also provided to serve as a waiting queue. Waiting is quite tedious, but you don't have much of a choice. If you're there, make sure you have taken heavy meal, drank lots of water and have gone to the rest room. You can go out but there's no assurance that the one in front of you or at your back will save a spot for you. Make sure you go with someone then, for emergencies. It took us an hour to finally get to the window. The girl was nice enough to ask for the requirements one at a time. She just had to ask Dadi to photocopy the application form. When you're done, you will proceed to 2nd floor of that same building and line up at the cashier. Each passport costs 950 pesos. The 3rd step is to get a number and wait for the screen to flash your number. Once your number is called the attending agent will ask you to check the data she encodes and will take your picture. They're nice enough to ask you if you want the photo re-taken. After which, you'll be asked to digitally sign the data.
Next step, if you intend to have the passport delivered to you place, you need to pay an extra P200.00. Otherwise, you're out of that place.
What have I learned during the process...AND THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER!!!
- Photocopy all documents. It won't hurt to have extra copies at the end of the day.
- Schedule a morning appointment. The heat and number of people all wanting to be accommodated is NO JOKE.
- Schedule as a family. Family application means cutting the number of times going back there.
- Apply your kid (minor) a passport. Having Sofi with us was a life-saver. From Step 1 to 3, things were a bit faster because of Sofi's presence. While waiting for Step 1 we had to wait in the "hot" queue, guards would constantly check on us if we want to stay on the side because it's a lot cooler there but they never really insist on looking at our forms to check our sched. I was scared that the guard in Step 1 will check our paper before entering because she was doing it to those who were going inside but when it was our turn, I asked Sofi to go first, and Jaims was the last one. When the lady guard saw Sofi she said, "Ang cute! Hello baby!" and didn't care whether the next person coming in is a goon or not :D When we got to the window, we didn't have much trouble with it anyway, so do with paying at the Cashier. The real life-saver was getting to Step 3. I mentioned that you have to wait for your number to be flashed on the screen. When I say wait, it meant REALLY wait. While Jaims was paying I attempted to ask for a number and the "number guy" pointed me on the side when he saw Sofi. he asked how old Sofi was, and his partner was about to give me a number but since I don't have the receipt yet I told him i'll get it first. When Dadi came, the guy gave us a number and in less than a minute we were already in front of the lady taking pictures. She asked me why I was late and she said that she has been calling me kanina pa. I was speechless. So we do have a special number :) The lady found Sofi cute and the process became a lot easier. Thank God for minors.
- Have the passport delivered. After the grueling experience, I swear it will take a while before you can make me comeback.
