The Philippines has instituted the electronic passport ePassport sytem for all its citizens. The ePassport features microchip technology and a host of other security features thereby ensuring that Philippine passports are virtually tamper-proof. ePassport issuance is also compliant with the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Philippine ePassport has an integrated circuit (chip) within its pages containing data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder. These include the personal biographical information found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip. The chip technology allows the information stored in an ePassport to be read by special chip readers at almost every international port of entry.

The Consulate General receives and processes applications for ePassports which in turn is sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for printing and issuance. Please note that the passport applications now take more than a month before issuance.

The Consulate General advises all Philippine passport holders, whose passports are expiring within a year, to renew their passports.

All Filipino citizens applying for passports with the Philippine Consulate General, will no longer need to submit photographs, as their pictures, their fingerprints, and their signatures, will be taken on-site. This also means that all passport applicants, regardless of age, are henceforth required to appear personally.

A travel document is a certification or identifying document containing the description and other personal circumstances of the bearer, which is issued in lieu of a passport and valid for one-way, direct travel to the Philippines. A travel document is issued to a Filipino citizen for emergency cases where the traveler cannot, at the time of emergency, fully comply with the requirements for the issuance of a regular passport. A travel document may be issued by the Consulate General to the following:
1. A Filipino citizen returning to the Philippines who has lost his/her passport;
2. A Filipino citizen whose passport has expired but was unable to wait for the issuance of an e-Passport;
3. A Filipino citizen being sent back to the Philippines.

1. The Philippine Passport is at all times the property of the Republic of the Philippines. It must be surrendered upon demand to an authorized representative of the Philippine Government.
2. Alteration, addition, or destruction of contents is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized change will render a passport invalid and will have accompanying penalties.
3. Using the passport as collateral is against the law and will automatically render the passport cancelled.
4. The information provided in the passport application form must be true and correct. The documents that will be submitted should be complete and authentic. Under the law, making false statements in the passport application form, furnishing falsified or forged documents in support thereof are punishable by law.

Before Applying for a Philippine Passport:

1. Personal appearance is required for all applicants.
2. Prepare all the originals and photocopies of the documentary requirements for passport application.
3. Please ensure that information contained in your IDs and Birth Certificates/Marriage Certificates are the same.
4. Consular Officials may require additional documents as deemed necessary.
5. To ensure entry to countries with strict dress codes, all applicants are required to wear decent clothing for passport photo capturing. Plunging necklines, sleeveless clothing, spaghetti strapped tops, see-through tops, sando, tube tops, halters and the like are prohibited.
6. Jewelries such as earrings, piercings and necklaces and colored contact lenses are not allowed during photo capturing.

After Applying for a Philippine Passport:

1. Applicant shall bring the official receipt for the release of their passport.

a. For New Passport Application of Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
b. For Passport Renewal of Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
c. For Replacement of a Lost Valid ePassport of Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
d. For Replacement of a Lost Expired ePassport of Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
e. For Replacement of a Mutilated or Damaged ePassport of Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
f. For New Passport Application of Minor Applicants (below 18 years old)
g. For Passport Renewal of Minor Applicants (below 18 years old)
h. For Replacement of a Lost Valid ePassport of Minor Applicants (below 18 years old)
i. For Replacement of a Lost Expired ePassport of Minor Applicants (below 18 years old)
j. For Replacement of a Mutilated or Damaged ePassport of Minor Applicants (below 18 years old)

ACCEPTABLE IDS FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT APPLICATION

1. Social Security System (SSS) / Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
2. Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License
3. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID
4. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) / Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) Card
5. Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter's ID or Voter's Certification from the Election Officer with dry seal authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
6. Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License
7. Senior Citizen ID
8. School ID (if applicable)
9. Chinese Government issued IDs showing Philippine citizenship (Example: Residence Card)

Note: The Consulate General reserves the right to require additional documents deemed necessary to help establish the identity of the applicant.

ePassport Application Form