The new e-passport! The newly Philippine e-passport is one of the most necessity things you should not be forgotten aside from bringing your luggage when you are planning to travel outside the country.
Let me share you guys my DIY guide on how to get a passport in San Fernando La Union. Last 2014 of May, I went to San Fernando La Union for my Philippine e-Passport.
First of all, I gathered a lot of information and asked my friends about their experienced getting their own e-passport. So basically, this is all based on my own experienced, getting my own personal passport or my DIY project in getting a passport by myself.
I hope these simple tips that I make can help you also in processing your own passport with or without the help of any travel agencies.
What will I expect?
DFA in San Fernando, La Union follows First Come, First Serve Basis, Walk-In or Non-Walk-In is acceptable unlike the other DFA branches does online appointments, wherein you have to sign up on their website to make an appointment.
(Update: DFA San Fernando, La Union does online appointment now, means they only entertain applicants with online appointment)
If you opted to go by yourself then you must prepare all the necessary documentary requirements upon going to the DFA branch in San Fernando, La union. It is better to be prepared than going home for nothing and wasting money. The DFA in San Fernando La Union transferred to a new site and can be located at the just in front of the OASIS Hotel along the highway. Second Floor of Manna Mall Pagdaraoan, City of San Fernando, La Union
OFFICE LOCATION: Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Consular Office is located at
Second Floor, Manna Mall Pagdaraoan, City of San Fernando, La Union
Fell free to contact them at:
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (072) 607-6510
FAX: (072) 607-6491
SMART: 09498838422
GLOBE: 0917-895-2322
EMAIL: dfa_launion@yahoo.com
To avoid heavy long lines I advice, you must be there around 5 in the morning and definitely you will be surprised that you are not the earliest applicants to arrive. It was a very exhausting and tiresome experienced of mine. And thanks, God after a couple of hours of waiting, and still waiting for my turn and it seems like as it will take forever, and you've wished it had been faster.
Upon applying for a passport you will be given a form for you to fill up all the information needed and this form can also be downloaded through online and bring the form when you go to the DFASL to save your time or either you can have asked any staff, personnel or even the security guard in the DFA for the application form.
Or you can also download HERE the DFA Form.
Things not to forget !
Never forget the number written on your form, applicants will be called by their priority number to proceed inside. No one can enter inside except for the applicants only if children are below 18 years of age a parent or a guardian must be accompanied.
Steps:
The Assessment Section
The assessment area means they will evaluate your documents. If you missed something to be photocopied don't panic because there is a photocopy machine inside provided for the benefits of the applicant. The DFA staffs verify or check any discrepancy or incompleteness of the details that you have had submitted.
To avoid any rejection of your application, please check first your requirements before applying for your passport. Here's the list that you may able to prepare:
What are the Requirements to prepare?
- Duly Accomplished application Form.
- Personal appearance is required (your present is a must)
- Confirmed appointment (applicable only to other cities like in Manila)
- Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (Report of Birth duly authenticated by NSO if born abroad)
- No need to submit a passport size photo
- Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)
- NSO Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO depending on the NSO signatory
Tips:
· If you are a new applicant before going to any DFA branch it is better to complete all the requirements needed.
List of Acceptable Id's
(Government-issued picture IDs such as the following)
- Digitized SSS ID
- Driver’s License
- GSIS E-card
- PRC ID
- IBP ID
- OWWA ID
- Digitized BIR ID
- Senior Citizen’s ID
- Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following:
- Old College ID
- Alumni ID
- Old Employment IDs
Tips:
Just bring any of your government ID’s just for clarification basis.
List of Supporting Documents (At least 3 of the following):
- Voter’s ID
- NSO Marriage Contract
- Land Title
- Seaman’s Book
- Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal
- Government Service Record
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Barangay Clearance
- 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:
- NSO Birth Certificate of child / children
- SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form
- Income Tax Return
- Voter’s Certification, List of Voters and Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, please attach receipt)
- School Yearbook
- Community Tax Certificate
Tips:
- Make sure to accomplished all the requirements needed before going to DFA. Again, make sure all the details in your documents such as Names, Birth of Place, Date Of Birth must match to all the documents you are presenting.
- As of my experienced in DFA branch in San Fernando, La Union they strictly follow their rules in terms of the details of your documents because if they found out any discrepancy or just a very small mark that is unreadable for them sorry but they will really reject your application.
- It is very important that you take the necessary steps in submitting of false information and falsified documents because these are punishable under the Philippine Law; otherwise, you will be breaking the law and you could face a possible prison sentence.
Processing Section:
Actually, there is a little bit personal interview be prepared and don't be nervous. Keep yourself calm there's nothing to worry if you brought all the necessary documents they needed. And, if seen nothing or questionable on your documents you've presented, and you've finally passed.
Philippine passport fees: (this is for new applicants, renewal, replacement of lost expired passport and replacement of lost valid passport).
Regular Processing - (30 working days) = Php. 950
Expedited processing - (20 working days) = Php. 1,200
(*only from DFA San Fernando, La Union as of 2015)
Photo encoding and Data Encoding Section:
After my Second steps, I was guided by DFA personnel to go on for the next step which is Photo encoding and Data Encoding located at the 2nd floor of the building.
First, you will be given a data form to fill up. Submit your form to the DFA encoder and wait for your name to be called and asking you to verify the information well if it accurate before transcribing your information to their system. (First Name/Surname/Middle Name/Date Of Birth/Place of Birth, other info's.)
Second, you may now have your photo taking through a device uses for a photograph that can be used for facial recognition. (BIOMETRIC). Photo Session. (They don't allow earrings, but slight makeup is OK). Another device used to capture your fingerprints called by Automated Fingerprint Verification System (AFIS).
Lastly, you will be asked to write your signature to an electronic print device. (Ye-hey)
The Payment Section
You only have to do is pay for your passport fee.
How to claim your passport:
- Pickup personally- you have to attend the said schedule and time that can be seen in your Claim stub. Present your Receipt/Claim Stub to the DFA staff to get your passport.
- Door-to-Door- Your new passport will be delivered next to you in 24 hours upon releases via LBC Express Deliver. They will require you to fill up a delivery form and pay for the amount of Php. 120 for the shipping fee.
PS:
- The adventure of mine is based on my own experiences, my journey in getting my personal Philippine Passport from the DFA branch in San Fernando, La Union. I've got mine without any helps of an Agency but if you are not sure what to do or you're still confused, I better suggest look for a trusted and verified Agency to help and guide you.
- However, if you want to do it alone without any help from an agency same as I do, I suggest you have to complete all the requirements needed and follow all my simple tips regarding in applying your e-Passport.
Tadaahhh!!! Congratulations and MABUHAY PHILIPPINES!!
Thank you for reading!
~Aimee~
