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
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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
- 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).
ask ko lang po gusto ko po kuhanan ng passport anak ko, minor pa po sya yung mother po inabandoned na kami matagal na and wala na din po kaming contact sa mother ng bata, wala po any information sa DFA website about “illigitimate child under the father’s custody” is there a way pa po na makuhanan ng passport yung bata? and ano po gagawin ko? salamat po in advance
Hello po ask ko lang po kung pwede po bang kumuha ng passport yung 3 years old kung Anak yung Apelyido ng father niya ang gamit niya pero hindi po kame Kasal at matagal na kaming hiwalay?
Good morning po ask lang po poan ko po pakuhanan ng passport mga anak ko, meron papo ba sa pinas na mga naglalakad po na tao i mean like agency na sila napo mag aasikaso? Any recommendation or suggestions po????????????
Thank you so much po
God bkess us all po
5 days na ako nag aabang sa online application pero wala available slot from metro manila branches, batangas and quezon. ano po ba suggestion nyu para dito?
Salamat po
Hello po ask ko lang .gusto ko sana kunan ng passport ung dalawa kong anak 13year old and 10 year old .asa pinas sila and ako po ay andito sa dubai nakatira if ever pwede ko ba sila kunan ng passport dito sa Philippine consulate .or sa pinas dapat ikuha ang mga bata ?
Hi. Im applying for philippine of my child. Hes one year old and illegitimate child with my custody (mother) what should i do if his father is overseas ? Can i get the passport with my sign only ?
Im applying for my 3 month old son’s new passport but i don’t have any government issued id except my valid passport. Is this will be enough? As it was mentioned that either the Passport OR government issued id. Please reply. Your blog is very informative! Keep
It up!
Yes, you can present your valid passport. Thank you!
Can a illigitamate Child father apple without legal gaurdianship
My daughter is half morrocan (morroco) how can I get passport ?what is the requirements for my minor child if I get her a passport?
Hello po. Ask ko Lang po Sana Kung pwedi po psa Lang requirements ng anak ko, balak ko po kasi kumuha ng passport. 5 years old po sya. May Id po sya kaso po hindi valid. Pwedi na rin po Kaya yon?salamat po..
Yes po. As per the article above, a valid ID is usually required from the parent or authorized companion who will be accompanying the minor on the day of the appointment.
hello ask ko lang po sana balak ko po kumuha ng passport ng baby ko 1month old palang po sha kaso di pa sha nakakapag rehistro or wala pa shang birt certificate kasi yung father ng baby ko ay nasa dubai at di makauwi dito, hinahanap po kasi ang sign ng father bago nila i process ang birth certificate ng baby ko,. ano po ba pwede kung gawin kailangan ko na po kasi makuhanan si baby ng passport kasi ie schedule po kasi kami ng bf ko ng kasal sa dubai, any suggestions naman po, ng kung ano gagawin ko . maraming salamat po in advance
If wala pong PSA birth certificate, kahit yung Certified True Copy sa registrar. Unfortunately, the baby must have either of the said documents before applying for a passport. You may reach out to DFA but they will most likely provide the same answer.