Traveling alone may be nice, but exploring the world (and creating memories) with your kids is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss.

Even the most expensive toys can never compare to the lessons and experiences that traveling can bring.

After all, your life as parents should never end with childbirth.

But before you plan your itineraries, don’t forget that Filipinos, regardless of age, must first secure a Philippine passport.

We’ve already discussed the nitty-gritty of applying for a Philippine passport as an adult. This time, we’re going to focus on how to get a Philippine passport for minors, ranging from babies to teens below 18 years old.

Table of Contents

• At a Glance: Latest Updates to Philippine Passport Application of Minors
• Who Is a Minor?
• How To Get a Philippine Passport for Babies and Minors: 4 Steps
  • 1. Complete the passport requirements
    • a. Confirmed online appointment
    • b. Duly accomplished passport application form
    • c. Personal appearance of BOTH the minor and either parent or authorized legal companion
    • d. Birth Certificate
    • e. Marriage Certificate (if only one parent is accompanying the child)
    • f. Original + photocopy of the passport or valid government-issued ID of either parent or of the authorized adult companion who will accompany the child in the application process
    • g. School ID of the minor (if applicable)
  • 2. Submit all passport requirements to DFA
    • For minors 8 – 17 years old
    • For minors 0 – 7 years old
  • 3. Pay the Philippine passport fee
  • 4. Claim the passport/s
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. How long is the validity of Philippine passports for minors?
  • 2. How can I apply for a Philippine passport if the minor is an illegitimate child?
  • 3. My minor child was born in the US and has a US passport. Is he/she still qualified to get a Philippine passport?
  • 4. I’m separated from my spouse. Can I apply for my child’s Philippine passport on my own?
  • 5. The minor child’s parents live abroad or unavailable. Who can accompany him/her when applying for a Philippine passport?
  • 6. What are the Philippine passport requirements for minors who have been adopted or in the process of getting adopted?
  • 7. My child is a minor. How can I renew his/her Philippine passport?
• References

At a Glance: Latest Updates to Philippine Passport Application of Minors

• March 2022: Minors aged 7 years and below whose accompanying guardians/parents are fully-vaccinated may now walk in at DFA Aseana office¹ and all DFA consular offices nationwide² to avail of the passport courtesy lane. Bring the original copy and photocopy of the minor’s PSA Birth Certificate. 

Who Is a Minor?

According to R.A. No. 7610³, a minor is someone who is below eighteen (18) years old. 

Also included in this category are those over 18 “but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.”

Due to their young age or condition, minors are prime targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Hence, DFA has provided a separate guideline on how to get a Philippine passport for minors, taking into consideration their age and vulnerability.

In terms of age, Philippine passport applicants who are minors are divided into two categories:

• 0 to 7 years old: Babies and kids aged seven years and below apparently don’t have the capacity yet to think on their own. Minors within this age range are excused from securing an appointment online. In fact, as of March 2022, these minors may walk in at DFA Aseana office and all DFA consular offices nationwide to avail of the passport courtesy lanes, provided that their accompanying parents/guardians are fully vaccinated.
• 8 to 17 years old: Minors who belong in this age group must secure an appointment online like everybody else. They can get access to the courtesy lane if they have another sibling aged 7 years or below who is also applying for a Philippine passport. Requirements may differ depending on whether the minor is traveling alone, with a parent/legal guardian, or somebody else (more on this later).

Once granted, Philippine passports for minors are only valid for 5 years, which is half of the 10-year validity period given to regular passports.

How To Get a Philippine Passport for Babies and Minors: 4 Steps

1. Complete the passport requirements

The following is a complete and updated list of passport requirements for minors:

a. Confirmed online appointment

As discussed in the previous section, minors who are seven years old and below are excused from the online appointment with DFA when applying and may avail of the courtesy lane at the DFA Aseana office or any DFA consular office nationwide.

However, minors aged 8 to 17 years old are still required to secure an appointment online. On the day of their appointment, they can’t use the courtesy/priority lane unless they’re applying with another minor sibling aged 7 years old or below.

b. Duly accomplished passport application form

The parent or legal guardian may accomplish and sign the application form on the minor’s behalf. The passport application form can be obtained on-site. You can also download the passport application form for minors here.

c. Personal appearance of BOTH the minor and either parent or authorized legal companion

For minors whose parents live abroad, follow these guidelines when applying for a passport and traveling alone. 

d. Birth Certificate

The minor applicant’s birth certificate must be issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA (formerly NSO).

Related Article: How to Get PSA Birth Certificate in the Philippines

In the guide we’ve written for regular adult applicants, we mentioned that the DFA still accepts NSO birth certificates.

This may also apply to minors, but we can’t guarantee. Please call the DFA hotline to be sure.

On the other hand, if the PSA birth certificate of the minor isn’t clear or legible, please provide the Local Civil Registrar Copy instead.

In case the baby or minor doesn’t have a PSA Birth Certificate or Report of Birth yet, you can present the following documents instead:

• For applicants born in the Philippines: PSA-authenticated Certified True Copy of Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Birth Certificate.
• For applicants born abroad: Original copy of Report of Birth or first endorsement from Consular Records Division.

e. Marriage Certificate (if only one parent is accompanying the child)

For minors with unmarried parents, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must be executed by the mother if she’s not accompanying the child.

If executed abroad, the SPA must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

f. Original + photocopy of the passport or valid government-issued ID of either parent or of the authorized adult companion who will accompany the child in the application process

Please refer to this guide for a complete list of acceptable IDs for passport applications.

g. School ID of the minor (if applicable)

2. Submit all passport requirements to DFA

For minors 8 – 17 years old

Unless they’re accompanying another minor sibling aged 7 years old or below, minors in this age bracket don’t have access to courtesy lanes at DFA offices.

For this reason, they’re required to secure an appointment online just like regular adult applicants. Click here to learn how to get a passport appointment online.

For minors 0 – 7 years old

Babies and minors aged 7 years old and below are entitled to use the courtesy lanes at DFA Aseana Office and all consular offices in the country. Along with the minor, the parents as well as minor siblings 17 years old and below will also be given access to the passport courtesy lane.

3. Pay the Philippine passport fee

The image below shows the updated list of Philippine passport fees:

Here are a few reminders when paying passport fees for minors:

• According to DFA, babies and minors 7 years old and below, along with their parents and minor siblings, can use the courtesy lane but they are considered expedited applications so they must all pay the express/expedited fee of Php 1,200.
• To the frustration of a lot of parents, some DFA branches don’t even comply with the rule of allowing minors 7 years old and below to use the courtesy lanes. Instead, some satellite offices (e.g., DFA Robinsons Novaliches) only accept 5 years old and below in the courtesy lane. It’s best to call the DFA branch where you’re planning to apply for the passport so you’ll be aware of their restrictions before heading there.
• If you’ll not be available to personally receive the passport/s on the claim date, you can opt to have them delivered to your doorstep by paying an additional Php 150 for the courier service.

4. Claim the passport/s

Return to the DFA office on the date indicated on your receipt to claim the passport/s. If you opted to have it delivered to your mailing address (see the previous step), simply wait for the passport/s to arrive at your home or office.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the validity of Philippine passports for minors?

2. How can I apply for a Philippine passport if the minor is an illegitimate child?

3. My minor child was born in the US and has a US passport. Is he/she still qualified to get a Philippine passport?

4. I’m separated from my spouse. Can I apply for my child’s Philippine passport on my own?

5. The minor child’s parents live abroad or unavailable. Who can accompany him/her when applying for a Philippine passport?

6. What are the Philippine passport requirements for minors who have been adopted or in the process of getting adopted?

7. My child is a minor. How can I renew his/her Philippine passport?

References

1. Ramos, C. (2022). DFA Aseana to allow passport courtesy lane walk-ins; no more slots for recruiters. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1566008/dfa-aseana-to-allow-passport-courtesy-lane-walk-ins-no-more-slots-for-recruiters
2. Ramos, C. (2022). DFA to open all consular offices to walk-in passport applicants. Retrieved 21 March 2022, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1568328/dfa-to-open-all-consular-offices-to-courtesy-lane-walk-in-passport-applicants
3. Republic Act 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (1992).