Passport Services
The Philippines has instituted the electronic passport (ePassport) system for all its citizens. The ePassport features microchip technology and a host of other security features thereby ensuring that Philippine passports are virtually tamper-proof. ePassport issuance is also compliant with the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Philippine ePassport has an integrated circuit (chip) within its pages containing data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder. These include the personal biographical information found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip. The chip technology allows the information stored in an ePassport to be read by special chip readers at almost every international port of entry.
The Embassy/Consulate General receives and processes applications for ePassports, which in turn is sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for printing and issuance. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for the processing and release of passport to applicant.
The Embassy/Consulate General advises all Philippine passport holders, whose passports are expiring within the next 6 months, to renew their passports if they intend to travel within the aforementioned period. Also, the Embassy may accommodate requests for the extension of validity of expiring Philippine passports for meritorious reasons. You may learn more about it here.
All Filipino citizens applying for passports with the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General will no longer need to submit photographs, as their picture, together with their fingerprints and signature, will be taken on-site. This means that all passport applicants, regardless of age, are henceforth required to appear personally.
To ensure entry to countries with strict dress codes, all applicants are required to wear decent clothing for passport photo capture. Plunging necklines, sleeveless clothing, spaghetti strapped tops, see-through tops, sando, tube tops, halters and the like are prohibited.
Earrings and colored contact lenses are not allowed during data capture.
Only immediate family members are allowed to claim the passport in behalf of the applicant. Immediate family members include father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, and children of legal age.
- The passport will only be released to an immediate family member with proper authorization letter
- The passport of the minor applicant shall be released only to parents or adult siblings or to an authorized representative with Special Power of Attorney or Affidavit of Support and Consent
Passports unclaimed after one (1) year will be cancelled per Department Order No. 37-03.
Applicants for consular outreach missions must strictly follow instructions for securing appointments contained in the relevant outreach press releases.