Calvin’s Hub

UPDATE: It seems that the pickup/delivery method of passport renewal has been discontinued. Check out how it works now at the DFA site. It’s like applying for a US Visa where you set an appointment online. The DFA building has been moved to the new location too at Macapagal Blvd.

Is your passport due for renewal? Or do you want to have the new machine-readable passport already? We just renewed ours and it didn’t take much of an effort to do it. Read along to know how.

I remember the first time I renewed my passport. I had to be at the DFA before 5 AM just to fall in line. Then even at that early, I still had to break for lunch and return to the line afterwards, eventually finishing in the afternoon. It was hellish.

Fortunately, it’s so easy to renew your Philippine passport now via Pilipinas Teleserv. In 14 working days upon submission of requirements, we got our spanking new passports and we only spent 10 minutes inside DFA.

It comes at a cost though (Php1300) but at least you won’t suffer much waiting in line and being scammed at.

Here are the steps on how we did it:

• Apply online for passport renewal
• Gather requirements
• Wait for pick up
• Go to DFA for personal appearance
• Wait for your passport to be delivered

Apply online

Head to Pilipinas Teleserv to apply for your passport renwal. Make sure everything you entered is correct and matches your current passport.

Take note of your pickup and personal appearance dates and also the place where they will pick up your requirements and deliver your passport.

Gather requirements

• You need 3 passport-sized photos with royal blue background. Make sure you’re wearing something with collar. Don’t wear accessories and eyeglasses if you can.
• Photocopy pages 1, 2, 3 (amendment), inside and back cover of your passport as well as the page showing your last departure and arrival stamps.
• Current passport

Wait for pickup

Their courier (2GO) will arrive within 8 AM to 5 PM on your chosen date and on the place you entered in the application form.

If you don’t wish to wait the whole day, call them up at 737-1000 and request what time their courier should come. It’s either before lunch or after lunch.

When the courier arrives, hand over the requirements. The courier guy will check to make sure everything’s in order and will ask for your payment. You will have to pay in full and will be given a receipt and instructions for your DFA adventure.

Personal Appearance Time

We spent more time going to DFA than waiting inside for our thumbprints and signature. Everything was a breeze.

Be careful of scammers. Don’t talk to strangers outside the barricade even if they wear barongs and have ID’s (which are dubious at close inspection) and you’ll be fine.

In Gate 3, there’s a 2GO booth outside where you will show your receipt. A person will be assigned to assist you inside. You don’t have to wait long to be called for your signature and thumbprint.

Take note of their personal appearance schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30am-11:00am or 1:00pm-3:30pm; Sat 8:30am-10:00am only.

Delivery

Your passport will be delivered promptly on the date and place you specified in your application form. You need to issue an authorization letter (with ID) if you can’t receive it yourself. Be sure to double check for correctness.

There you go. For more information, head to passport.com.ph. They also accept new passport request now.

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Filed under: Tips n' Trix, Travel