Securing government documents in the Philippines is not an easy task. There are lots of challenges like the infamous "very long queues" in every government agencies that you must encounter before you could get the documents. Those documents are the likes of NSO Birth Certificate, NBI clearance, Passport, etc. Usually, those documents are needed for job-application locally and abroad. I believe that the government is aware of these so they are doing some solutions to ease the burden and these solutions evolve as technology progresses.
On this article, let us talk about the easiest way of obtaining passport using the online appointment system. There really is no way you could get a passport via online processing alone; however, you could do the encoding of your personal data anytime, anywhere! This could help speed up the process. By setting an appointment online, you will save time when you go to the appointed DFA office to further process your passport application. The further steps are the verification processing, data capturing, picture taking and of course the payment processing.
Here are the step by step procedures on how to get your Philippine passport via online appointment system:
STEP 1. Prepare an original copy of your birth certificate from NSO.
STEP 2. Prepare valid ID(s) and/or other supporting documents indicating your full name, date of birth and your home address.
LIST OF ACCEPTABLE IDS (At least 1 of the following): - Government-issued picture IDs such as the following: - Digitized SSS ID - Driver’s License - GSIS E-card - PRC ID - IBP ID - OWWA ID - Digitized BIR ID - Senior Citizen’s ID
Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following: - Old College ID - Alumni ID - Old Employment IDs
LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (At least 3 of the following): - Voter’s ID - NSO Marriage Contract - Land Title - Seaman’s Book - Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal - Government Service Record - NBI Clearance - Police Clearance - Barangay Clearance - Old documents issued at least one year prior to date of application that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant such as the following: - NSO Birth Certificate of child / children - SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form - Income Tax Return - Voter’s Certification, List of Voters and Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, please attach receipt) - School Yearbook - Community Tax Certificate
STEP 3. Make an online appointment with DFA To do this, you can either (A) ask assistance from a customer service representative OR (B) do it yourself by logging in directly to the DFA Appointment Website.
(A) Contact DFA Appointment Hotline at (02) 737-1000. A Customer Care Officer will then assist you in setting an appointment. Please provide all the needed information and take note of the requirements you need to bring. Proceed to http://passport.com.ph/print and provide your appointment details: Reference Number, Print Code, Name and Birth date.
(B) Go to http://www.passport.com.ph/ and make an online appointment with the DFA. Read the important reminders before proceeding.
B.1 To start setting an appointment, click "Set an Appointment" link on the left side of your screen. B.2 Select the nearest branch where you want your passport application to be processed.
B.3. Click the "Start Individual Appointment Process" button.
B.4. Fill up the online "Individual Application" form and click "Submit" button.
B.5 Choose your preferred date and time slot.
B.5. You will receive an email from [email protected] containing the confirmation link.
B.6 Click the confirmation link to print your application form and confirmed appointment schedule. Make sure you have a PDF reader installed in your computer such as Foxit Reader or Adobe Reader to be able to read the electronic forms.
IMPORTANT! Now that you have a print-out of your application form and confirmed appointment schedule, you need to have at least 2 photocopies of each documents and bring these documents to DFA on your appointed date. Applicants without these photocopied requirements will not be entertained.
STEP 4. Proceed to DFA office on your appointed time and date. You need to observe proper dress code when going to the DFA branch. Applicants wearing sando, spaghetti straps, shorts, sandals, slippers/flipflops, or tube will not be allowed to enter the building.
4.a. Present your application form to the Appointment Counter.
4.b. Get your queue number and sit down on the waiting area. Once your number is called or displayed in the monitor, proceed to the designated window of the Processing Area.
4.c. After processing, you may proceed to the passport enrollment section and pay the corresponding passport processing fee. The regular processing fee is Php 950.00 (25 working days) while the rush processing Php 1,200.00 (15 days).
4.d. Proceed to the encoding section for data capturing (biometrics and image).
4.e. A claim-stud will be given to you indicating the date of when you can claim your passport from the DFA branch where you processed your application. You can also pay the optional delivery charge on the Delivery Counter if you want to deliver the passport to your home during the release date without the need to return to the DFA office.
TIPS: For passport renewal, you will just need to photocopy the front and last page of your passport. (Two copies each. Also, prepare a copy of your NSO birth certificate.)
Meanwhile, for lost passport, you should execute an affidavit of loss. Prepare photocopies of your lost passport as well and have a copy of your NSO birth certificate and other supporting documents.
