Update: Is Your Passport Still Green?

Is your passport still green?

http://www.passport.com.ph

Soon enough mine will already be red! A few days ago I headed on over to DFA's new office along Macapagal. The place is relatively easy to find and to go to. Just take EDSA all the way crossing Roxas Boulevard. Upon crossing Roxas Boulevard, turn left at the stoplight across from Blue Wave (has a Petron gas station and several restaurants). Just go straight and spot the new DFA office just to your left. Take a u-turn and have yourself dropped off, if you have a driver with you. If not, you're better off just parking at the McDonald's across the street and crossing.

Check out the location map below:

http://www.passport.com.ph

Are you going to have your passport renewed or changed to the new MRP/E Passport?

Just follow these simple steps to make your passport renewal experience a breeze!

1. Go to the DFA Passport Appointment System website and set your appointment. Click on the link or paste this URL on your browser: http://www.passport.com.ph.
   You can also call the DFA Passport Appointment System hotline at 730-1000.

   Make sure to have the ff information handy especially if you're making the appointment for other people:               

                   a. Complete Name
                   b. Home Address
                   c. Father's Complete Name
                   d. Mother's Maiden Name
                   e. Mobile Number
                   f.  Telephone Number
                   g. Old Passport Number

2. Don't forget to print out your application form and take note of your Appointment Reference Number.

3. Prepare your document requirements. Listed below are the typical requirements for passport renewals. For new application requirements, go to the DFA website.
   Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

       * Present passport and photocopy of pages 1,2,3 (amendment) inside and back cover.
       * The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
       * For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.

   Other Supporting Documents

   Please bring the following if they are available.
   **ALSO PROVIDE PHOTOCOPIES OF WHICHEVER OF THESE THAT YOU HAVE.

       * Marriage Contract
       * PRC / IBP ID
       * Land Title
       * Driver's License
       * Government Service Record
       * Old SSS-E1 form or digitized SSS-ID
       * School Form 137 or Transcript of Records
       * Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
       * Voter's Registration Record
       * Baptismal Certificate
       * Seaman's Book
       * Income Tax Return (Old)
   

   
   
4. Prepare your payment.
   Regular Processing: Php 950.00 (20 working days)

   Rush Processing: Php 1,200.00 (10 working days)

   An additional fee of Php 200.00 will be charged for processing of Lost Passports if it is still valid
   

   
   
5. Then you're good to go!
   On the day of your appointment, make sure to be there at least 30 minutes before your appointment time.

6. Once you get to DFA, enter through Gate 2 which is where people with appointments should line up. Upon entering the gate, tell the guard you have an appointment or show him the appointment form that you printed.

7. Past the row of seats upon entering Gate 2, you'll see a long table. Head on over there and give your name so they can give you your official application form. Fill it up already if you want (Don't affix your signature yet! They'll have you sign that at a later step) or just wait till you get it because you're in for a pretty long wait.

8. Head to the right of the table and go around the table to get to the entrance to the building (surrounded w/ glass windows). Show the guard your application form and they will either ask you to line up or go in.

9. Once you're in, get your number, find a seat and get comfy.
   There are 24 windows so your wait shouldn't be that long.
   Watch out for your number on the LCD screens hanging from the ceiling.
   While waiting, prepare the ff:
                Your application Form
                Old Passport
                Passport page photocopies
                Photocopies of supporting documents
                **Decide whether you'll go for REGULAR or RUSH processing. The person at the window will ask you which is your preference.
   These are all you'll need. Just hand them all to the person attending to you once your number has been called and you'll be fine.
   AGAIN, make sure that you have photocopies of your supporting documents. I saw a lot of people who had to go out and have their documents photocopied. Save yourself the hassle. Just 1 photocopy per supporting document is enough.

10. Once you're called, the person at the window will get your documents and your old passport.
    She'll punch your old passport and give it back to you.
    She'll also check your documents and ask you if you prefer REGULAR or RUSH processing.
    She'll then return your documents to you together with a receipt.

    It's now time to head on to the SECOND FLOOR to the CASHIER for payment.

11. Go up the stairs or take the escalator - it's your choice.
    Once you get up there, you'll see a long table with printers and people.
    THAT'S FOR OPTIONAL PASSPORT DELIVERY which is the LAST STEP so I'll discuss that later.
    For now, head straight to the entrance right beside that table and look for the sign that says CASHIER above 4 windows.
    Line up.
    When you get to the window, just give them your receipt together with your payment (either P950 for REGULAR or P1,200 for RUSH Processing)

12. Head straight to the Photo and Data Encoding section which is just to the right of the CASHIER windows. Look for the guy (or girl) giving out the numbers.
    You'll see many rows of tables and the right most table nearest to you would be the with the person giving out the numbers.
    Now, you wait for your turn.

    When we got to this step, we were "happy" to find that there was still around 300 people left to process before it was our turn. Waaah!
    No worries though because there are around 70+ people being processed at one time but still prepare. The wait here is still longer than the wait downstairs.
    Here they'll take your picture, encode your data and ask you to digitally affix your signature which takes a bit longer.
    Waiting for 300 people before us took about an hour and a half.

13. Lucky 13 is the last and optional step which I fully recommend that you take.
    For a minimal fee of P120, they will deliver your passport straight to your home address (the one specified in your application).
    Upon heading out the Data Encoding room, you'll see the row of computers I mentioned in item 11 to your left.
    Give your receipt and payment to the left most person who'll then issue you a receipt.
    Upon payment give your passport payment receipt to one of the attendants to your right and they'll quickly process your delivery request.

    Then YOU'RE DONE!

I got there at 12:30pm and left at 4:30pm but I actually believe that if there weren't so many people that the process would be much faster.
I suggest that if you have no plans of traveling anytime soon that you should hold off renewing your passport at least until school starts again.
There was a whole lot of families renewing their passports most probably rushing it for their summer vacation. The sheer volume of people could also be attributed to the rumored April deadline for renewing the green passports.
According to the people at DFA that I talked to, the April 10, 2010 deadline for green passports is true. Although you can still use the passport until its expiry as of that date, there are already several countries who will not accept the green passports.

Good luck!

- designstudentny
For more important news and events go to http://www.onthewaytonewyork.blogspot.com

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