Comments on: How to Renew your Passport (Updated links-Important Updates 02.16.2010)

By: Arlene

Arlene — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:49:49 +0000

Hi, I hope you could help me on this. My 81 year old aunt renewed her passport through the mobile passport program in our municipality. She got her machine readable passport last feb 13, 2010. But it was only yesterday, March 9, 2010 that she noticed there was an error on her passport - her gender was M for male!
I tried to call all the numbers listed on the DFA’s website but most of them are not working - I got busy tones and “not yet in service” answers.
What department in the DFA handles problems such as this? Can anyone tell me the proper procedure to correct it? Or would it be faster if she just declares it to be a lost passport?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

By: teys

teys — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:33:32 +0000

Since this is encouraged by the DFA, then I see no problem re renewing your passport when they visit your area.

Hope this helps!

By: teys

teys — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:31:02 +0000

Hi Ana,

I think renewing your passport 1 yr. ahead of expiration is not a problem. If you think about it, technically, it’s only 6 months ahead.
Here’s what the DFA has to say about passport renewal:

“It is a good practice to make sure your passport is valid at least six months before intended date of travel to avoid any inconvenience.”
(source: dfa.gov.ph)

By: Ana

Ana — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:23:33 +0000

hi i have a question regarding my green passport. I’m here in Canada. Can i renew my passport even though its 1 year ahead before the expiration? Like now Phil Consulate will going in Calgary on March 19,20 &21. So i have a chance to save money instead of going in Vancouver. The date of expiration of my passport is on March 3,2011. But their encouraging Phil. passport holder to avail of the Consular Outreach Program to save time, effort & money traveling in Vancouver.

By: teys

teys — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:02:58 +0000

Hi Carla, I think you will be allowed to travel to the Philippines - the only hitch there is if your flight itinerary will include stops in countries that will require you to go through their immigration. You might end up being escorted by airport officials if they find out you are traveling on an expired passport. Please confer with your travel agent if ever regarding your travel plans and book a straight flight to the Philippines if ever. Otherwise, it is still safest to renew your passport and travel with valid travel documents to avoid any hassles.

Thanks!

By: carla

carla — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:06:48 +0000

Thanks for your immediate response to my post… I have another concern what if I wanted to renew my passport in the Philippines and my passport will expire in 2 months or less can i still travel to Philippines?I read that it should be valid at least 6 months but I will travel just in my own country. Because here in Canada I have to renew in Vancouver It’s far from my place and will take 6 weeks to have it and spend so much money. Thanks again!!!

By: teys

teys — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:47:52 +0000

you’re welcome

By: teys

teys — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:46:59 +0000

you’re welcome!

By: teys

teys — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:46:19 +0000

hi dove, please check out my updated post above. tnx!

By: teys

teys — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:41:53 +0000

btw, if you do renew your passport while you are here now, you have two choices. You can either get the Machine Readable Passport or the new Biometric Passport a.k.a. Electronic Passport or EPass (see above post for more details)