Types of Passport Applicants

Philippine citizens applying for a Philippine passport may be categorized according to their circumstances and the documents required to be submitted. They may be categorized as (a) first time applicants, (b) passport renewal applicants, or (c) passport replacement applicants. For more information, please choose which applicable category below.

For information related to the travel of Taiwanese and other foreign nationals to the Philippines, kindly refer to the Visa Section.


  • Personal appearance is required for all passport applicants.
  • Submission of a photo for passport application is not required.
  • All Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) documents should be printed on security paper (SECPA).
  • Please wear a decent attire and collared shirt. Earrings and contact lenses are not allowed during data capturing. Smiling with visible teeth is also not allowed.
  • During data capturing, applicants should check all the data in the Enrollment Certificate before signing it. Signing/affixing his/her signature on the Enrollment Certificate indicates the applicant's confirmation on the accuracy and veracity of the information contained therein. Once signed, any error in the printed passport shall not be the responsibility of MECO and its employees and related fees required for the replacement of the passport will be the applicant's responsibility.
  • The Passport Officer reserves the right to require additional proof or documents, pursuant to R.A. 8239 (The Philippine Passport Act of 1996) for the purpose of verifying the identity, citizenship and personal circumstances of the applicant and/or of the Filipino parent/s in cases where they are applying for a Philippine passport on behalf of the child.
  • Processing of Philippine passports takes one (1) to three (3) months since the printing and issuance of the new e-passport is centralized at the Head Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (“DFA”), Pasay City, Philippines.
  • Any doubt on the citizenship of the applicant will be forwarded to the DFA for appropriate action.
  • DFA reserves the right to refuse issuance of passport in cases where the requirements are not complete or there is doubt in the citizenship of the applicant.
  • Applicants are reminded to check all the data printed on the new passport upon receipt.
  • Passports are released to third parties who are duly authorized by the applicant as outlined in the Passport Application Process and Release.
  • Passports unclaimed after six (6) months will be cancelled per DFA Department Order No. 37-03.


First Time Applicants or New Passport Applicants
Overview

First time applicants or new passport applicants would generally refer to children born in Taiwan to a Filipino national, whose parent or who themselves would like to apply for a Philippine passport. Parents are advised to secure Report of Birth in the Notarial Section before applying for the Passport Application of their child.

Procedure for First Time Applicants

Step 1

The applicant should personally bring the following requirements to the nearest MECO office:

  • Duly-accomplished Passport Application Form;
  • Original Certificate of Live Birth (CoLB) of the applicant;
  • Original and photocopy of passport (data page only) of Filipino parent/s;
  • Original marriage certificate of parents issued by the PSA if the parents are married;
  • Processing fee in the amount of Two Thousand New Taiwan Dollars (NTD2,000.00).

In cases where the applicant is a minor (under 18), a parent is requested to accompany the child during the application. If the child is illegitimate, then the Filipino parent shall accompany the child.

Step 2

Once the completeness and the authenticity of the required documents are confirmed by the passport processor, the processor and the applicant shall proceed with data capturing and passport enrollment. The applicant or his/her parent is advised to read and review all relevant details entered into the DFA Passport Module.

Step 3

After the applicant’s data is saved into the DFA system, the applicant shall proceed to the Cashier for payment.

Step 4

The applicant will be issued a claim stub which s/he should bring when claiming his/her passport.

Step 5

The applicant’s form and all relevant documents shall be sent to the DFA for processing.

Step 6

The applicant is advised to check the MECO website regularly to confirm whether his/her passport is ready for pick-up.

Step 7

When picking-up his/her passport, the applicant is required to present the claim stub and his/her old passport.

Step 8

The applicant’s old passport shall be cancelled upon the applicant’s confirmation of the accuracy of his/her personal details in his new passport.

Additional Requirements
Circumstance/s Surrounding the Minor Additional Requirements
Parents who recently re-acquired Philippine citizenship Photocopy of Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship Documents as follows:
  • Oath of Allegiance;
  • Order of Approval; and
  • Order.
8-17 years of age Any other document showing the identity of the child with photo
Child legitimated by reason of the subsequent marriage of parents Original PSA-issued birth certificate which reflects the annotation regarding the full name of the child and his/her new status (legitimate)
Illegitimate child using the father’s surname
  • Original PSA-issued birth certificate of the child;
  • Affidavit of Acknowledgment of Paternity executed by the father; and
  • Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father.
Orphaned minor
  • Death certificates of the parents duly-authenticated by the foreign government office; and
  • Court order awarding guardianship of the orphaned minor applicant duly- authenticated by the foreign government office.
Abandoned minor Court order awarding guardianship of the orphaned minor applicant duly- authenticated by the foreign government office
Minors whose parents are divorced or had their marriage annulled
  • Court order awarding guardianship of the minor applicant duly-authenticated by the foreign government office; and
  • Original PSA-issued Marriage Certificate with annotation on nullity or annulment of marriage.
Minors whose birth were reported to MECO more than one (1) year after birth date Affidavit of Delayed Report of Birth notarized by MECO
Passport Renewal

This section is for Philippine citizens who need to renew their current/old Philippine passport. All Philippine citizens are encouraged to apply for the renewal of his/her passport at least one (1) year to six (6) months before the passport expiry date.


  • All NSO documents should be in security paper (SECPA).
  • The Passport Officer reserves the right to require additional proof or documents, pursuant to R.A. 8239 (The Philippine Passport Act of 1996) for the purpose of verifying the identity, citizenship and personal circumstances of the applicant and/ or that of the Filipino parent/s.

Procedure for Renewal of Passport

Step 1
The applicant should personally bring the following requirements to the nearest MECO office:
  • Duly-accomplished Passport Application Form;
  • Original Philippine passport and photocopy of passport pages 2-5 and the page with the latest Taiwanese visa and entry stamp;
  • Original and photocopy of the Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (“ARC”) issued by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) of Taiwan; and
  • Processing fee in the amount of Two Thousand New Taiwan Dollars (NTD2,000.00).
Step 2

Once the completeness and the authenticity of the required documents are confirmed by the passport processor, the processor and the applicant shall proceed with data capturing and passport enrollment. The applicant is advised to read and review all relevant details entered into the DFA Passport Module.

Step 3

After the applicant’s data is saved into the DFA system, the applicant shall proceed to the Cashier for payment.

Step 4

TThe applicant will be issued a claim stub which s/he should bring when claiming his/her passport.

Step 5

The applicant’s form and all relevant documents shall be sent to the DFA for processing.

Step 6

The applicant is advised to check the MECO website regularly to confirm whether his/her passport is ready for pick-up.

Step 7

When picking-up his/her passport, the applicant is required to present the claim stub and his/her old passport.

Step 8

The applicant’s old passport shall be cancelled upon the applicant’s confirmation of the accuracy of his/her personal details in his new passport.

Circumstance/s Surrounding the Minor Additional Requirements
Recently married women who wish to use their married surname PSA-issued Marriage Certificate
Widowed women who wish to revert to their maiden name
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the applicant; and
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Death Certificate of the applicant’s husband.
Women who had their marriages annulled and wish to revert to their maiden name
  • Original and photocopy of the court order declaring the nullity of the applicant’s marriage; and
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate reflecting the annotations regarding the annulment of marriage.
Divorcees who wishes to revert to their maiden name
  • Certified true copy of the divorce decree duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce was obtained or by the concerned foreign diplomatic or consular mission in the Philippines;
  • Original and photocopy of the court order declaring the dissolution of the applicant’s marriage; and
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate reflecting the annotations of the court’s order.
Philippine citizens with Taiwan or other foreign passports
Applicants with Dual Citizenship or Election of Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225
Foreign passport and a photocopy of its data page
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the applicant;
  • Original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate of the applicant;
  • Original and photocopy of Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship Documents (i.e. Oath of Allegiance, Order of Approval, and Order).
  • For Taiwan passport holders, original and photocopy of Taiwan Household Registration reflecting how they acquired Taiwan citizenship;
  • Identification Cards (I-Card) issued by the Philippine government, if applicable;
  • Original and photocopy of Taiwan and other foreign passport; and
  • Original and photocopy of documents related to election of Philippine citizenship.
Applicants whose passports have expired more than a year prior to renewal Affidavit of Late Renewal of Passport notarized by MECO.


For questions or clarifications, kindly call the MECO hotline.

Lost or Damaged or Mutilated Passports

This section is for Philippine citizens with a lost, damaged, or mutilated Philippine passports.

In cases of Lost passports:
  • Submit an Affidavit of Loss (with detailed explanation on when, where and how passport got lost) notarized by MECO;
  • There is a clearing period of fifteen (15) working days before the applicant can apply for a replacement passport.
  • Submit a Report of Lost Passport issued by the Taiwan NIA; and
  • Photocopy of the data page of lost passport (if available).


In cases of Damaged or Mutilated passports:
  1. Applicant must bring the damaged/mutilated passport to MECO immediately.
  2. Submit an Affidavit of Damaged/ Mutilated Passport (with detailed explanation on when, where, and how passport got mutilated or damaged) notarized by MECO.
  3. Present the Original and photocopy of the data page (first page) and last page of the damaged or mutilated passport.


  • If the applicant is working/ living in Taiwan, he/she is also required to present the original and a photocopy of the Taiwan ARC.
  • All PSA documents should be in security paper (SECPA).
  • Pursuant to R.A. 8239 (The Philippine Passport Act of 1996) to verify the identity, citizenship, and personal circumstances of the applicant and/ or of the Filipino parent/s.

In cases where the applicant is in Taiwan as a TOURIST and lost his/her passport:

A replacement passport will be issued; instead, a Travel Document will be issued for his/her travel back to the Philippines.

The following documents should be presented:

  • Submit an Affidavit of Loss (with detailed explanation on when, where and how passport got lost) notarized by MECO;
  • Submit a Report of Lost Passport issued by the Taiwan NIA;
  • 2 passport sized pictures; and
  • Photocopy of the data page of lost passport (if available).
In cases where a passport was declared lost by the applicant but eventually was found and returned to him/her:
  • Submit an Affidavit of Retrieval (with detailed explanation on when, where, and how passport was found) notarized by MECO.
  • Present the Original and photocopy of the data page (first page) and last page of the passport.
In cases where there is a loss of two (2) or more passports within a period of two (2) years:

As per Memorandum Circular No. 30-96 dated 18 October 1996 “a passport may not be issued to someone who has declared two (2) lost passports consecutively within a two-year period.” The case will be referred to the Research and Investigation Group (RIG) of the DFA for further investigation.

In cases where three (3) or more passports were declared lost consecutively within a two-year period:

No passport shall be issued until the applicant is investigated and cleared by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Pending the resolution of said case/s no replacement passport can be issued to applicant concerned.

In cases where the Passport has been used as Collateral:

The applicant shall be given a period of thirty (30) days within which to exert all efforts to recover the passport from the creditor or any person illegally holding the same. Should the applicant be unable to recover the passport, he/she shall execute an Affidavit of Lost Passport and Sworn Statement to MECO stating that despite exerting all efforts, the applicant failed to recover the passport.