Getting my new passport took me less than two hours. Here goes my Pasaporte 101:
1. Google is the key. I eventually reached the main website: DFA Passport Appointment or www.passport.com.ph/ .
Set an appointment > Choose the most convenient place where you can meet up with the DFA Representatives > Start Individual Application > Complete the form and make sure that the details are all accurate.
You get to choose how fast you'd like your passport to be processed. "Regular" will mean 15 (working) days of waiting and "Rush" means 7 (working) days of waiting. Regular costs Php950 and Rush is pricier at Php1200.
Choose your day and schedule of appointment.
Make sure that the email you provide is still active. I initially tried using my good ol' Yahoo mail but ended up cancelling my appointment after the main Yahoo Mail site would not open (hello, website bug).
2. Click on the link which will be sent in your email and make sure that you print the entire PDF file that will pop open. The three-page file will include DFA's Important Reminders, e-Passport application form and a detailed list of requirements which one is supposed to bring.
3. On the day of your appointment, be at the DFA site 30 minutes before the confirmed time. Our appointment was at 9:00AM and we were there before 8:30AM. We were permitted to proceed the soonest time that we showed up.
We selected DFA Aseana because it is closest to where we live.
4. Step 1. E-Passport Application Form scanning. Just hand the printed pdf file to the DFA Representative and you'll be asked to proceed to the next step.
5. Step 2. Make sure that you have your old passport ready, original IDs and its duplicate versions. Everyone is reminded to bring extra photocopies of their documents (passport pictures are no longer necessary). Unprepared passport applicants are not accommodated.
The representative checks all of the submitted files and provides a slip showing the basic details plus when the passport is due for release.
6. Step 3. Payment. Just submit the recently-given receipt and your payment to the counter. Again, it is Php950 for regular processing and Php1,200 for rush processing. This is the part where you get to keep your other files.
7. Step 4. Encoding, data capturing and picture taking. It took us around 30 minutes of waiting which is not bad since we were able to settle in one area of the room where we fixed ourselves. One needs to remove all jewelries and has to avoid wearing contact lens. I removed my jewelries but retained my contact lens. I was wearing a brown pair and was not advised to remove it (lucky me).
The actual Step 4 process (minus the waiting time) took us around 5 minutes and that was it.
8. Step 5. We wanted to have our passports delivered and so we headed to another room and paid Php120 for the delivery fee. We were given 2Go Consignment Notes and that was it.
The whole process took us two hours and I am happy with the convenience that we experienced. Seven-day waiting time for the release starts now.
Here is the link to check on the other needed requirements: List of Requirements for Passport Application.
