DFA Removes Birth Certificate Requirement for Passport Renewal
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. officially signed the department order (DO 03-2019), last January 15, 2019, to abolish the certificate of live birth as a requirement in renewing passports.
According to the newly signed DO, old passport holders are not required to pass their birth certificate for a passport renewal.
Also read: Passport Application 101: Requirements to Get a Philippine Passport
DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. /Image from DFA Facebook page
However, there are exceptions based on the department order. Cases such as first-time passport application, renewal application for lost and mutilated passports, renewal application requiring changes in passport entries, renewal application of old brown and green passports bearing no complete middle name, and applicants in the DFA’s Watchlist would still be required to pass their birth certificates.
IMAGE grabbed from DFA Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s Twitter account
“I know there are many obstacles in getting fast passports. I know all over the world passports are swiftly given, renewals are automatic. No other requirements are imposed, but give us time to get things done,” he lamented while signing the department order in a press interview.
For the said exceptions, all passport requirements that are covered by the Passport Act, IRR, and other existing circulars would stay unchanged. Also, please note that Consular offices and Foreign Service outposts may ask for additional requirements to prove Philippine citizenship or proof of application for minors.
Source: pna.gov.ph
