DFA Cebu urges travelers to check passports first

THE Regional Consular Office in Cebu of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged prospective travelers abroad to check their passports before buying plane tickets.

rDFA Cebu Director Anika Fernandez said that all passport holders must check if their passports are in good condition (not detached, torn, or mutilated) and are valid for at least six months for each travel abroad.

Fernandez said that for applications made in Cebu, the turnaround time for e-passports is 30 working days. Applicants who are in a rush may apply at DFA Manila where the turnaround time is seven days, provided that the applicant should first schedule for an appointment on-line (www.passport.com.ph).

Service hours

Fernandez said that as DFA Cebu is a walk-in facility, priority numbers are given out from Monday to Friday at exactly 7 a.m. and not earlier. Service promptly starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., without noon break.

She said certain applicants are afforded the Courtesy Lane like Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and children seven years old and below with their parents.

DFA Cebu is located at the 4th Floor of Pacific Mall Metro Mandaue, UN Ave., Ibabao Estancia, Mandaue City, with telephone numbers 520-6551 or 520-6193 and email address: cebu.rco@dfa.gov.ph.

For a first-time applicant, the basic requirements are Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate; PSA-issued marriage certificate (for married female applicants); any one of the following supporting documents such as baptismal certificate, transcript of school records, Form 137, voter certificate or NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance; at least two valid identification (ID) cards such as SSS (Social Security System) ID, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID, Driver’s license, Voter’s ID, school or alumni ID or company ID with current employment certificate; and duly accomplishment passport application form.

PSA is formerly the National Statistics Office (NSO).

For first-time application and renewal of passport of a minor, the requirements are PSA-issued birth certificate. PSA-issued marriage contract of the child’s parents (if applicable), baptismal certificate, original passport of the minor’s mother (for illegitimate children) or original passport of either parent (for legitimate children), school ID (if the minor is a student), and the original passport of the minor (if the application is for renewal).

For passport renewal, Fernandez said the requirements are the original passport, photocopy of the data page and back page of the passport, and at least two valid ID cards.

Dual citizenship

If the current passport does not show the city of the applicant’s birthplace, he/she must submit PSA-issued birth certificate or present the previous green passport, for substantiation purposes.

Fernandez said the applicants who availed themselves of dual citizenship or election of Philippine Citizenship under Republic Act 9225, must present identification certificate, oath of allegiance, order of approval, report of birth (for those born abroad), or requirements for first-time applicants or passport renewal, as the case may be.

The regular processing fee is P950 for 30 working days, excluding holidays and weekends, and P1,200 express processing fee for 15 working days excluding holidays and weekends.

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