Obtaining a passport is a crucial step for anyone planning to travel internationally, including children. If you intend to journey abroad with your minor child, it’s necessary to secure a Philippine passport for them. The process is quite straightforward and can be carried out at any Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular office.
Also read: How to Book Philippine Passport Appointment Online
There’s no minimum age requirement for obtaining a passport for a child in the Philippines. Infants and children from birth to seven years old are even provided with the convenience of using the Courtesy Lane at DFA consular offices. This makes the process of applying for their passport much easier and less stressful, ensuring a smooth preparation for your international travel.
Requirements for Minor Applicants
If you’re applying for a Philippine passport for a minor, there are specific requirements that need to be fulfilled:
1. Confirmed Online Appointment: You would need to secure an appointment at a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular office.
2. Application Form: The application form must be duly filled out.
3. Personal Appearance: The minor applicant needs to be physically present during the application process. They should be accompanied by either a parent or an authorized adult or guardian.
4. PSA Birth Certificate: The minor applicant’s birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is required. If the PSA document is unavailable, blurry, or unreadable, a copy from the Local Civil Registrar can be used instead.
5. PSA Marriage Certificate: If only one parent will accompany the minor applicant to the DFA, the marriage certificate of the parents is needed.
- If the parents are not married and only the father will accompany the minor child, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the mother is required.
- SPA must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy.
6. Parent’s Identification: Provide the original and a photocopy of the passport or any valid government-issued ID of either parent.
7. School ID: If applicable, the minor child’s school ID should also be presented.
Supporting Documents for Minor New Applications
For minor new applications, in addition to the core requirements, additional supporting documents may be needed in specific cases:
a. If the applicant is a newborn (less than 1 year old) with no PSA Birth Certificate/Report of Birth:
- If born in the Philippines: A certified true copy of the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA.
- If born abroad: Original copy of Report of Birth or first endorsement from Consular Records Division.
b. If the applicant is not accompanied by the parent/s during the application process:
- A Special Power of Attorney executed by the parent/s designating the minor’s companion to assist in the application process. This must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
- Passport or Valid Government issued ID of authorized adult companion.
- A copy of parent/s valid ID and/or passport attached to the Special Power of Attorney or Affidavit of Support and Consent.
c. If the applicant is not traveling with parent/s:
- DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the parent/s, consularized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
- Passport or Valid Government issued ID of authorized adult companion.
d. If the applicant is an illegitimate child in custody of the Mother:
- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and mother or authorized adult companion.
- PSA Birth Certificate.
- Passport or Valid Government issued ID of mother or authorized Adult Companion.
- If not accompanied by mother, a Special Power of Attorney executed by the mother, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
- If not traveling with Mother, DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the mother, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
e. If the applicant is an Illegitimate child and mother is deceased / absent and father is unknown:
- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adult guardian.
- PSA Birth Certificate.
- Valid Passport or valid government ID* of adult guardian.
- DSWD Clearance.
- Letter of Guardianship issued by Family Court.
f. If the minor applicant has undergone the process of domestic adoption:
- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adoptive parent/s.
- PSA Birth Certificate.
- Valid passport or valid government issued ID* of adoptive parent/s.
- Court Decree of Adoption.
- If not accompanied by adoptive parent/s, a Special Power of Attorney executed by the adoptive parent/s, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
- If not traveling with adoptive parent/s, DSWD clearance and Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the adoptive parent/s, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad.
g. If the minor applicant is undergoing or has undergone the process of foreign adoption / Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB) adoption process:
- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and ICAB representative.
- PSA Birth Certificate/PSA Certificate of Foundling.
- Endorsement from ICAB.
- Certificate of Child Available for Adoption/Deed of Voluntary Commitment.
- Placement Authority issued by ICAB.
- Certificate for Issuance of Passport issued by ICAB.
- Clearance for Inter-Country Adoption.
- Child Study Report.
- DSWD clearance.
h. If the applicant is a foundling and NOT for adoption:
- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and adult guardian.
- PSA Certificate of Foundling.
- Passport or Valid Government issued ID* of adult guardian.
- DSWD clearance.
- Letter of Guardianship issued by Family Court.
Remember to check with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or your local consular office for any updates or changes to these requirements.
Requirements for Courtesy Lane Eligibility
a. For Minors aged seven (7) years old and below
- If you are a minor (aged 7 years old and below) and applying for passport, you need to have an adult with you. The adult can be a parent, legal guardian, or someone they have authorized. The adult might also be applying for the same thing.
Also read: List of Valid IDs for Philippine Passport Application
Online Reservation
Applying for a passport online can be conveniently done through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website. To secure your appointment slot, you must ensure that the passport fee is paid within 24 hours of completing the online application. If not, your reserved slot will be opened up for others to book.
For more information on How to Book a Passport appointment in the Philippines, please click HERE.
Walk-In Application Process
Here’s a clearer outline of the application process at DFA Cebu:
Step 1: Arrive at DFA Cebu as early as you can to avoid the rush.
Step 2: Upon arrival, a security officer will assign queue numbers to all applicants present.
Step 3: Wait for the security officer’s instructions to move to the DFA office, which is located on the building’s fourth floor.
Step 4: Once you’re in the DFA office, wait patiently until your assigned number is called out.
DFA Offices in Cebu
a. DFA Pacific Mall Mandaue Cebu
- Located in: Pacific Mall Mandaue
- Address: 8WRX+632, Pacific Mall MC Bacalso St Corner U.N. Avenue Estancia, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu
- Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM (Monday – Friday)
- Phone: (032) 520 5898
b. DFA SM Seaside Cebu – Temporary Off-site Passport Service
- Located in: SM Seaside City Cebu
- Address: 3F Mountain Wing (main) SM City Seaside, Cebu South Coastal Rd, Cebu City, Cebu
- Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (Monday – Friday)
- Phone: (02) 8234 3488. Rephrase
How Much does the Passport Cost?
The cost of the passport application depends on the processing speed. For regular processing, which takes approximately 12 business days, the fee is Php 950. However, if you opt for expedited processing, which takes around 7 business days, the fee is Php 1,200.
Once your passport is ready, you have two options for collection. You can choose to have it delivered directly to your specified address, or you can personally pick it up from the DFA consular office where you initially applied.
Video: How to Get Philippine Passport for MINORS (2023 Requirements & Process)
Watch this video to know the requirements and process to get a passport for a minor child in the Philippines.
Summary
Getting a minor child’s Philippine passport can be a daunting task, but with the right steps, it can be a breeze. One can choose between securing an online appointment or opting for a walk-in process if there are no available slots. However, if there is an urgent need to travel, the Courtesy Lane is available for those who qualify for the priority lane.
The process may require some patience, but with the necessary documents ready, one can ensure a hassle-free experience. With a valid passport, not only can a child explore the wonders of the world, but it can also serve as an important identification document in their future endeavors.
