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?
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How To Get a Philippine Passport for Babies and Minors: 4 Steps
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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
- 3. Pay the Philippine passport fee
- 4. Claim the passport/s
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1. Complete the passport requirements
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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
- 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
- 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
- Republic Act 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (1992).
Hi..single mother po ako with two kids aged 14 and 12 and they are using their father’s surname even hindi kami legally married. Mag aapply po ako ng passport ng kids ko wala po ba magiging problema don sa application kahit hindi kami kasal ng father nila? Thanks
Yes, you can proceed with your kids’ passport application since you’re the mother. There are additional requirements if the father will be accompanying the kids but for your case, you can just proceed with the application.
Hello ask ko Lang po, kakaregister lang po ni baby ng birth certificate Hindi pa po available ang PSA sabi ay within 2-6 months, pede ko ba sya maikuha ng passport kahit wala ung PSA at ung from the registrar ang dalahin? Thank u.
Yes, you can submit the PSA-authenticated Certified True Copy of Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Birth Certificate of your daughter instead.
Hi ask ko lng po pag mg aapply plng ng passport ang minor need nb agad ng travel clearance
Travel clearance will only be required if the minor will not be accompanied by any of his/her parents during his/her travel abroad.
Hi, Married po ako sa dati kong asawa and surname padin nya ang gamit ko ngayon sa mga valid id ko. My bago napo akong partner ngayon and my baby kmi 5 months old. My baby is using his fathers surname with affidavit of acknowledgement ng dad nya..My iba pa po bang requirements pag kinuha ko ang baby ko ng passport? Nasa ibang bansa po ang father nya ngayon kaya ako lang po ang kasama na kukuha ng paasport
There are no additional requirements since you’ll be accompanying your baby. You only need to submit the applicable documents that are listed in the article.
Hello po ask lng po kung ano kelangan pg ngkuha kame passport ng asawa ko sa anak nya sa una…PWD po xa at yong birth certificate po nya nakalagay po not applicable ang father.. Nasa amen po ang bata hind po namen alam kung nasaan ang nanay nya. Salamat sa mg rereply po.
You should call DFA’s hotline at (8) 651 9400 for this concern.
Hi, gusto ko lang po sana itanong kung ano requirements ng baby ko, her father is canadian citizen pero di po kami kasal, balak ko sana kuhanan sya ng passport early next year
You only need to prepare the basic applicable documents if you’ll be accompanying your baby during the passport application process.
we’re getting a passport for our 3 y.o kid, and the father of my kid is planning to renew his passport at the same time. can he use the courtesy lane even if we are not married. my kid carries my partners last name as well
Yes.
Parents of minors are NOT legally married, minors are with the mother, but the minor are bringing the family name of the father, what are the necessary requirement in getting a Philippine passport? The mother will be accompanying the minors.
There are no additional requirements since the mother will be accompanying the minors during passport application. You can just prepare the basic applicable requirements listed in the article.