How to get a Filipino passport?

[manngo 0]

Hi,

I'm sorry in advance for dumping all my questions in a single post. I do my best to keep it structured.

We decided to start the relocation process for my girlfriend. I'm in Switzerland and she is in Manila. However the very first issue we ran into is that the DFA didn't approve her passport request because of insufficient supporting documentation. I hope someone here have some tips how to get through this issue the easiest and fastest way. I tried to check all information online but the phil government websites are quite confusing for me and sometimes it feels data is outdated. The whole story feels like a puzzle game where you can get ID by already having some other IDs. I'm trying to sort out in what order we can collect the necessary IDs to proceed for a passport. Sometimes these are in loops that puts me in a chicken-or-egg problem situation.

So my girlfriend have the following documents right now:

• Postal ID
• Police ID
• HDMF ID card
• NBI clearance
• Police Clearance
• NSO birth certificate
• Form 137 from high school
• Barangay clearance
• SSS form E1

I understand the issue is that we don't have any government issued picture ID for her...

The first thing that confuses me that on the DFA website it is written that we need 1 government issued ID but when she was there they told her that she needs 2. Does anyone know what is the truth today?

Then the other question would be which is the easiest (fastest) DFA-accepted ID to obtain if we have only the above documents? I figured out that there is something called "digitalized BIR ID" but the BIR office told us it is no longer in use and they don't issue new ones. (It's still listed on the DFA website but that's another matter.) Everything else seems to take several months (SSS ID) or years (Voter's ID). My girlfriend is unemployed and she doesn't have university degree, only high school so we can't have things like "Company ID" or "PRC ID".

Also, is my understanding correct that SSS ID and UMID are the same things? The UMID is not listed on the DFA website as an accepted document. Does anyone know if UMID can be used in a passport application?

Another unclear option for me is the GSIS E-card that seems to be accepted by the DFA. But the requirements to get it is pretty unclear, their website only say 2 IDs are needed and gives a few examples but not a complete list. Does anyone know if we can get a GSIS card with the above documents?

After all of these I'm pretty much lost.

[Torete 121]

OP,

As you've indicated, your GF has the three acceptable forms of proof from the List of Supporting Documents (3) requirement.

Regarding the list of acceptable ID's, would it be cost-prohibitive for you to provide the funds for her to obtain a driver's license?

When we lived in the Philippines, it was a pretty easy thing to obtain. Granted a number of years have passed but could you/her

check into that possibility?

Regarding outdated website information or conflicting information...well, it is after all "More fun in the Philippines".

Seriously, that's my suggestion...have her get a driver's license and use that as ID.

Regards.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Torete

[Torete 121]

www.lto.gov.ph/

Click on "Services" and navigate to licensing.

[Torete 121]

OP,

Sorry to keep butting in, but other acceptable picture ID's could be an "Old Employment ID". You said she's unemployed now, but was she previously employed and it required a picture ID?

[Hank_ 9,172]

SSS ID card. Just asked my asawa what she used. She also had a work ID with picture. Not sure was the SSS form E1 is, if it is not the SSS ID card.. get that.

SSS ID, NBI are two very good government ones.

You are not the first to bring up the website states only one government ID is required, yet they as for two. Just have to roll with it.

Last person that asked on this I suggested SSS ID also.

[Dan&Yvette 15]

When I had my appointment with DFA (June 2014), I submitted a photo copy of my SSS ID (front and back), photo copy of my voter's ID, original copy of my NBI clearance and NSO Birth Certificate, photocopy of my Transcript of Record (from college), Barangay clearance and Community Tax Certificate (cedula).

I got my passport after 15 days.

[zhuccini 0]

I think you can get a GSIS ID if you are working in government. Iam not sure. But when I applied for my philippine passport I just have my Voters ID and my NSO birth certificate, and I got my passport in 9 days.

If your girlfriend have TIN number better for here to go to LTO and get student permit and after 30 days apply for NON- PRO driver Liscence.

[manngo 0]

Many thanks for the replies. Does anyone happen to know if an LTO student license is accepted by the DFA? It seems to be cheap and fast to get it and it's a photo ID.

[Infoneeded 32]

hmmm... .. have she tried getting it thru a travel agency?

a friend of mine who had issues with DFA before managed to get with the help of a travel agency. but beware of travel agencies...go to a legit one.

it will cost her a few hundreds more tho,

[Rob63 10]

Does she live in Manila? If so, go to the SM branch of DFA. I think they are more lenient with what they require there.

My fiancé was turned away at one branch closer to where she lives south of downtown Manila, but she made another appointment at the SM Branch and was approved. Paid a little extra to expedite and she got it 9 days later.

One thing she did do was go get all her police clearance and NBI with here current address on them so everything matched. She had several old work ID's and one current work ID, plus a postal ID with her current address and her TIN card. She also had the certified birth certificate. She didn't have any official government picture ID's like the SSS ID.

[manngo 0]

Which SM branch are you referring to? SM City or SM Megamall?

[Rob63 10]

Hmm, good question, I'll find out today and let you know...

[Rob63 10]

Which SM branch are you referring to? SM City or SM Megamall?

She went to SM Megamall...

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Here is the list of acceptable ID's, with the link that my google search led me to.

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE IDS

Government-issued picture IDs such as the following: (At least 1 of the following)

1. Digitized SSS ID Driver’s License GSIS E-card PRC ID IBP ID OWWA ID Digitized BIR ID
2. Senior Citizen’s ID
3. Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following:
4. Old College ID
5. Alumni ID
6. Old Employment IDs

LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (At least 3 of the following):

1. Voter’s ID
2. NSO Marriage Contract
3. Land Title
4. Seaman’s Book
5. Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal
6. Government Service Record
7. NBI Clearance
8. Police Clearance
9. Barangay Clearance
10. Old documents issued at least one year prior to date of application that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant such as the following:
11. NSO Birth Certificate of child / children
12. SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form
13. Income Tax Return
14. Voter’s Certification, List of Voters and Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, please attach receipt)
15. School Yearbook
16. Community Tax Certificate

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/2013-04-04-07-01-23

Edited September 14, 2014 by Greenbaum