How to Renew Your Passport Online (Minors): A Guide for Parents
Do you want to renew your passport online?
My Philippine Passport was renewed recently by my parents and it is actually a fast and easy process. In this post, my parents will share with you the process we followed. Hopefully, it will help you when you renew your child’s passport too.
Please note that this post covers the online passport renewal process for minors. Minors who will use the DFA courtesy lane will experience a different process.
List of Passport Renewal Requirements for Minors
1. Online Appointment Confirmation
You need an online appointment confirmation for minors aged 8 years old and older. Minors aged 7 years old and below may use DFA’s Courtesy Lane or may use the online appointment system if preferred. You can read the online appointment process here.
2. Accomplished Application Form
The application form is already part of the appointment-setting process in the DFA website. Minors aged 7 years old and below who will use the DFA’s Courtesy Lane, can fill out the application form at DFA.
3. Current Passport and a Photocopy of Data Page
Please make sure you have a photocopy of the data page of your child’s passport with you, along with your current passport.
4. Personal Appearance of Applicant and Either Parent or Authorized Adult Companion.
All applicants need to be present at DFA during the confirmed appointment.
5. Passport or Valid Government Issued ID of Either Parent with One (1) Photocopy
You may check here the list of acceptable IDs: https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/list-of-acceptable-ids-passport
6. Marriage Certificate of Parents (If Only 1 Parent Accompanies the Child)
If the parents are unmarried, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the Mother will be required if she is not accompanying the child. If the SPA is executed abroad, it must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
7. Proof of Filiation or Guardianship With One (1) Photocopy
DFA shared that “proof of filiation is required for applications of minor applicants. This may come in the form of a baptismal certificate, TOR, affidavit of filiation, or the PSA Birth Certificate, as long as it shows both the name of the parent and the child.”
8. School ID (If Applicable)
In cases of lost passports, damaged passports, minor applicants not accompanied by parents or not traveling with parents, and other special cases, additional requirements are needed. Please refer to DFA’s page here for more details.
Renew Your Passport (Minors) Online in 4 Easy Steps
Step 1: Schedule an Appointment Online
⭐ Tip!
Please be ready with the current passport of the minor applicant as you will need some information from that document.
For minors aged 8 years old and above, you can schedule an appointment online through DFA’s website: https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment.
Please read the terms and conditions. Afterwards, tick the box.
You can choose an individual appointment or group appointment (e.g. parent and child) when you get to this page.
After that, choose your preferred site. We chose SM North Edsa as it is near our place.
Then, read through the notice section at the bottom and tick the box after.
Next, you will be shown the available slots on your preferred site. The green dates are still available while the red dates are already full.
⭐ Tips!
- Choose a weekday slot so that it is not too crowded.
- If you need earlier dates, check again early in the morning and during noontime to see if additional slots are freed up for earlier schedules.
- Choose fast because slots fill up quickly.
- Check other DFA sites near you too.
After this, choose the timeslot that is convenient for you. We chose 9 am so that we can also finish early.
⭐ Tip! Bring a fan if you chose the earlier timeslot – in case the mall or building is still closed you have to line up outside the mall.
Step 2: Fill out the Application Form
For minors aged 8 and above, who are using DFA’s online appointment system, this will be the next step online after choosing your preferred time.
Please make sure you enter the information ACCURATELY. DFA gives applicants only 30 minutes from online appointment setting to payment.
After that, you will be asked to give your family’s information.
After that, you will need to place the application information and contact information.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee and Other Fees
Next, you will be taken to the Payment page. Tick the Special Processing fee as this is required for all online applications.
Then, choose your preferred payment method – over the counter or credit/debit.
You will also be given a choice if you want to avail of their courier service or if you want to pick up the new passport instead. You can check the list of DFA sites where you can pick up the new passport below.
The Online Passport Application Fee is Php 1,200. An additional Php 150 will be added if you want the passport to be delivered instead of picked up.
Here are the payment centers where you can pay over the counter.
- Bayad Center
- EcPay
- Pera Hub
- Robinsons Business Center and Department Stores
- Waltermart Department Store
- 7-Eleven
- USCC (Western Union)
- Villarica Pawnshop
You can also pay online through QR, e-wallets, credit cards and debit cards.
You will receive an email from DFA confirming the appointment. This email also includes a link to the application form, e-receipts, and application checklist. Aside from the requirements mentioned above, please bring A4 printouts of the following:
- Application Form: There is a link in the email and it is also included in the attachment,
- 2 copies of the e-receipts (1 DFA copy and 1 Applicant Copy): These are attached in the email.
- Checklist: This is included in the email attachment.
Step 4: Go to DFA for your Personal Appearance
Go to your chosen DFA site on the confirmed appointment with your child. Bring the passport renewal requirements enumerated above, along with the A4 printouts of the documents attached to DFA’s email here – the application form, checklist with the confirmed appointment, and 2 copies of the eReceipt.
⭐ Tips!
- Be early. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your DFA appointment. You will still need to line up with the people who have the same appointment schedule.
- Follow the dress code. Plunging necklines, sleeveless clothing, spaghetti-strapped tops, see-through tops, sando, tube tops, halters, and the like are prohibited.
- Practice your passport photo pose, especially for younger children. You can read photo guidelines from DFA here: https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/guidelines-on-photo-capturing
1. Document Verification
First, be prepared with the printout of the checklist document with the confirmed appointment, as the guard will request this. They will collect the checklists starting from the first one who arrived onsite for that time slot. Make sure all the rest of your documents are organized and ready for checking.
2. Processing
They will call your child’s name and will request all the documents. Next, they will put the date of release of your new passport on your receipt and “cancel” (punch holes) in your current passport.
3. Data Encoding and Biometrics
After that, they will ask you to check your child’s personal information on the computer screen. Make sure that all the details are correct! After checking, they will take your child’s photo and fingerprints.
4. Receive or Claim the New Passport
If you chose DFA’s courier service during the online application process, then the new passport will be delivered to your address after around 2 weeks.
If you opted to claim the passport at DFA and you applied at a Temporary Offsite Passport Service (TOPS) site, please take note of the pick-up location as this will be different.
Thank you for reading this blog post on how to renew your passport online! Please subscribe to my blog and to my YouTube channel for more posts on travel tips like this.