Friday, August 31, 2012

0 How to get a Passport in the Philippines

This post is a week late. Sorry for that.. :) Remember my post about my very strong urge to go to ye old Nippon(Japan)? (if you haven't read it, here is a link for you) Well, I took the first step to achieve it! (clap! clap! Pat on the back.) 

Last August 24, I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to apply for a passport. The whole process took about 2 hours at most because there are many people also applying for their passports. (Random thought: Do my fellowmen really want to leave our country that much?) Take note though that before the said date, I went to the DFA website to get an appointment. You cant walk-in on DFA without an appointment. Here is a step by step guide on how I got my passport.

BEFORE APPOINTMENT DATE
1. Set up an appointment

DFA will not accept applicant without a valid appointment. You need to set your appointment via their website here. The site contains a step-by-step process that is easy to follow. 

2. Gather your Requirements

Aside from your form, you also need to submit some requirements needed to process your passport. Personally, I prepared the ff.

         a. Original NSO birth certificate.
         b. Company ID (original and photocopy)
         c. Voter's ID (original and photocopy)

for more information about passport requirements, please refer to this site.

3. Print your form

After setting an appointment with DFA, click the confirmation link they will send you on the email that you have provided. Print the PDF form that will appear after clicking the link. Do note that the form's format is for a letter size bond paper (8.5"x13"). On the first page, it will contain your appointment date and time plus reminders from DFA. You need to show this form to be able to enter DFA premises.

ON APPOINTMENT DATE
DONT BE LATE!

Personally, I have this tendency to always be late. Being late is a big no no if you don't want your schedule to be moved to another date. Especially if you have your job and filed for a vacation leave. I almost missed my schedule so be there on time! give at least 30 minutes allowance aside from your usual travel time to DFA. Also, you will be advised to be 30 minutes early from your scheduled appointment time so stick to that time allowance. For new applications, you need to go to the new DFA which is just a couple of minutes away from SM Mall of Asia.

upon arrival, you will need to give your printed form to the station near the gate. He will sign on the form and scan the bar code of your application form.

Step 1: Processing and Document Evaluation 

On this step, the staff will validate your requirements if they complete and valid. Once validated, the will give you a passport slip like the image below. It will contain the amount that you need to pay when you go to step 2. Here, you may chose between regular processing( 950PHP), which will take 15 working days, or rush processing(1200PHP) which will take about 7 working days. Since I dont have any immediate travel plans, I chose the regular processing. You may now proceed to step 2. Step 2 is located on the second floor.


Step 2: Payment

Together with your receipt, proceed to the cashier and pay the amount indicated in your passport slip. 

Step 3: Encoding

This process took up most of my time. Took more than an hour because of the number of people also applying. After paying, get your queue number like the one on the picture below.

A screen will be flashing the current number being served as well as the booth number you will go to. Once your number is flashed, proceed to the booth and have your picture, signature specimen and finger prints taken. The actual process of encoding took about 5 - 10 minutes at most.

Step 4: Additional step

 for those who want their passports delivered at home or at the office, you need to pay 120 for the shipping fee then chose the courier you want. I chose 2GO because the encoder there work fast compared with the others (particularly LBC, where I lined up first). 



This is the last process that you need to do. You just have to wait for your passport to arrive. Good luck!

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