Hubby and I have a scheduled trip to Malaysia next month. I already knew at the beginning of the year that I needed to renew my passport months before it expires in October. Passport renewal requires personal appearance at the DFA and since March and April were quite hectic months, I decided that May would be the best time for me to do this. After all, rush processing only takes 10 days. I thought I had ample time before the trip on June 9.
I booked an appointment online via the OCA website 2 weeks ago. After filling out the online form, the system sent a confirmation email stating that I will be informed of my appointment schedule within the next 7 days. 12 days later, no confirmation letter came. So imagine my surprise when I called the DFA hotline (737-1000 ) and found out that my name was not in the system and that the earliest appointment available for me is on July 2! Much later, I found out that the OCA website does not work anymore. WHAAAT?!
So I faced the prospect of not being able to leave in June. Still, I booked the July 2 appointment which is two months from now. Hubby and I talked about our options. Should we move our dates back (which will cost us about 10k)? Should he just travel solo? Or should we just let the tickets go and charge everything to experience?
Neither of us had an answer. But I was really determined to go. So early the next day, I called the hotline again and appealed to the agent at the other end. The agent, who was gracious enough to listen to my litany, put me on hold for a couple of minutes. When she came back on the line, she said the sweetest 7 words I’ve ever heard: “Someone cancelled his appointment for May 11.”
Long story short, I got me an appointment on May 11, and a 5-day vacation with my hubby in June!
So for those thinking of renewing their passports, I only have this advise: DO IT NOW!
Here are the steps from the DFA website (http://www.passport.com.ph/)
What to expect when you call the DFA Appointment Hotline (02) 737-1000
All passport applicants scheduled for appearance must appear physically at the DFA at the date and time of their scheduled personal appearance for data and image capturing. This applies to all passport applicants, aging from 0 years old onwards. DFA is strict about the personal appearance system, absolutely no chaperone allowed for passport applicants aging 18 years old onwards.
- Your call will be received by a Customer Care Officer who will assist you in setting an appointment for your passport application.
- After getting your appointment schedule, you will be asked to provide your personal information for the passport application.
- You will be advised on the applicable requirements you need to bring for your passport application.
- You will receive a reference number relative to your appointment schedule.
- On your appointment date, proceed to the DFA Consular Office located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City (see locator map). You must be at the DFA Consular Office 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Early/Late comers will not be entertained.
- Proceed to the Appointment System counter to retrieve your printed application form.
- Get your queue number at the Information Counter and sit on the waiting section of the Processing Area. Wait for your queue number to appear on the monitor indicating what processing window you will go to.
- After processing, proceed to the Passport Enrollment Section located at the 2nd Floor. Pay the applicable passport processing fees (see passport fees).
- After payment, proceed to the Encoding Section for data capturing.
- After the Encoding Section, you can have your new passport released and delivered to your home without having to return to the DFA on the release date (optional). If availing of the delivery, proceed to the Delivery Counter to pay for delivery fee.
What to expect when you log in to the DFA Appointment Website passport.com.ph
- You will be asked to provide your personal information for the passport application on the online application form. Remember to fill in all the information slots correctly.
- Please take note of the requirements that you need to bring to the DFA Consular Office on your appointment date.
- Choose an appointment DATE and TIME.
- Please write down your reference number. This is relative to your appointment date and time.
- On your appointment date, proceed to the DFA Consular Office located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City (see locator map). You must be at the DFA Consular Office 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Early/Late comers will not be entertained.
- Proceed to the Appointment System counter to retrieve your printed application form.
- Get your queue number at the Information Counter and sit on the waiting section of the Processing Area. Wait for your queue number to appear on the monitor indicating what processing window you will go to.
- After processing, proceed to the Passport Enrollment Section located at the 2nd Floor. Pay the applicable passport processing fees (see passport fees).
- After payment, proceed to the Encoding Section for data capturing.
- After the Encoding Section, you can have your new passport released and delivered to your home without having to return to the DFA on the release date (optional). If availing of the delivery, proceed to the Delivery Counter to pay for delivery fee.
OMG. To tell you the truth this Appointment system that the DFA set up has so many flaws and is so inconvenient if you asked me.
Did you know that they said the same thing when I called them. July 2 was the earliest available appointment date. When I tried the website again . There was one for June 16.
I bet if I called them now and complained about it then they can give me an earlier date.
I just don’t like the fact that DFA is putting out some new system while it is still faulty. I so envy you right now for having an early passport renewal date.
wish me luck!
Hi Krystle! The reason why I got an earlier appointment was because someone cancelled his. So I was able to make ‘singit’. Also, I called them early in the morning, so I suppose noone has grabbed that slot yet. My advise is to keep calling everyday to see if someone has cancelled so you can get an earlier date. But I have to warn you that getting the appointment is only the beginning of the longest queue on earth.:) It gets worse once you’re there. Good luck!!! -Pauline
Hi,
I have a problem in retrieving my REFERENCE NUMBER in applying for Philippine Passport. I can’t locate in my email. May i know where i could possibly get it again.
thanks!
Regards,
Mark
Hi Mark,
The best thing to do is to call the hotline above (737-1000). Since all the appointments are consolidated in one system, you just have to tell the operator your name (and the date of your appointment if you have it already). They can locate it for you. If they can’t find your name in the system, it means your initial attempt was not successful. You can make an appointment with them (over the phone) instead.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Pauline
hello, i have a problem in retrieving my reference number in applaying for new passport.i fill up a application for new passport last mon,,,i set the date on november 09 2010.but now .i dont have a receive a in my email…. pls help me to follow up….. thanks a lot?
Hi Rizchele,
I understand your problem because it happened to me, too. I will just cut and paste my answer to Mark above:
The best thing to do is to call the hotline above (737-1000). Since all the appointments are consolidated in one system, you just have to tell the operator your name (and the date of your appointment if you have it already). They can locate it for you. If they can’t find your name in the system, it means your initial attempt was not successful. You can make an appointment with them (over the phone) instead.
I hope this helps!
Pauline
Hi Rizchele,
I understand your problem because it happened to me too. I will just cut and paste my answer to Mark above:
The best thing to do is to call the hotline above (737-1000). Since all the appointments are consolidated in one system, you just have to tell the operator your name (and the date of your appointment if you have it already). They can locate it for you. If they can’t find your name in the system, it means your initial attempt was not successful. You can make an appointment with them (over the phone) instead.
I hope this helps!
Pauline
hello
can i know…
because i need reference number and print code i dont know when i get that.
my appointment is nov. 16 but i dont know if the day’s is regular or holiday… and i dont receive any email to dfa and i need reference number and print code when i go to dfa i need that for appoinment
Hi Vanessa, try calling the DFA hotline: 737-1000. They will be able to answer your questions. Good luck!
natangap nio poh bah ung online ko sa pagkuha ng passport and i dont reicive any e-mail to dfa and i need references number and print code when i go to dfe i need that appoinment tnx for coperation
Hello sandi. Tumawag ka na lang sa hotline nila instead na sa internet. Doon makukuha mo na agad ang appointment mo, pati reference number. Good luck!
Grabe ang hirap ma kontak ung number ng DFA 737-1000. Talaga ho bang ganun?
Hi hanz, oo meron talagang araw na sobrang busy ang hotline. Kailangan lang pagtiyagaan.:)
paano po ba makukuha ang reperence number ng appoinment ko
Hi Remelyn, makukuha mo na agad yun pag tumawag ka at na-set mo ang appointment mo. O kaya, ipapadala nila sa ‘yo via email.