Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Passports
Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions on Philippine passports. If you can’t find the answer(s) to your question(s), please contact us at consular(at)philippine-embassy.de.
What are the requirements to renew my passport?
- Personal Appearance
- Confirmed Appointment (to set an appointment please go to http://philippine-embassy.de/appointment-passport-application-only/
- Print-out of the passport application form (received along with the email confirmation of your appointment)
- Present current passport and photocopy of passport information page
- Present German residency permit (Aufenthaltstitel) or Schengen visa and photocopy of the permit/visa
- Passport fee € 66.00 payable only in cash
- Passport release can either be in person or by mail/courier. For applicants who wish to have their new passport delivered, kindly submit a pre-paid envelope, preferably from a private courier service (e.g. UPS Standard, DHL Expresseasy).
Do I need to set an appointment to renew my passport in Berlin?
Yes, you may set an appointment through this page. The Embassy is open for consular transactions between 09:00H to 14:00H, Monday to Friday, except on holidays.
How long does the application process take, and how much does it cost?
It takes about approximately 20 minutes to apply for a passport, depending on the volume of applicants. It costs €66.00 to apply for a new passport.
Why do I need to go to Berlin? Can't I just mail it as before?
Personal appearance is required in order to capture the biometrics of each applicant such as photo, fingerprints, and signature.
When is the recommended period to renew my passport?
It is recommended to renew your passport about 9 months before it expires. You can also renew your old passport earlier than 9 months before expiry.
Is there a fine if the passport to be renewed is already expired?
No, there is no additional fine for renewing expired passports; howe ver, if your passport has been expired for a long time you will be asked to present a copy of your birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
My Filipino wife and I just got married. We want her passport to be amended so that she will carry my family name. What does she need to do?
A Report of Marriage (ROM) must first be filed. Click this link for the form and information on ROM. After the ROM has been filed with the Embassy or Consulate, your wife can immediately apply for a passport using her married family name.
I want to use my husband's surname when my current passport still indicates my maiden name, what should I do?
You may renew your passport and use your married name by submitting a PSA authenticated Marriage Certificate and valid IDs bearing your husband’s last name (if available) on the day of your passport renewal application. If you do not have yet a PSA authenticated Marriage Certificate, you might need to file first a Report of Marriage. Click this link for the form and information on Report of Marriage (ROM).
Can I still use my maiden name in my passport even though I am married?
A married woman may retain use of her maiden surname, provided that she has not yet used her married name in her previous Philippine passport. However, she may be required to submit a Marriage Certificate to update her marital status from “single” to “married”.
I am currently using my husband's surname in my passport. Can I apply for a new passport using my maiden name?
A married woman may revert to her maiden name only in the following cases: 1) if the marriage is annulled or declared void, 2) if the woman is divorced, 3) if the woman is already a widow. Adequate documentary evidence is required.
My child is half Filipino and half German. Is my child entitled to a Philippine passport?
Yes, if at the time of birth either of the parents possess Philippine citizenship. The child's birth needs to be reported to the Embassy by filing a Report of Birth (ROB). Click this link for the form and information on Report of Birth (ROB). However, if the Filipino spouse has already been a naturalized German citizen at the time of the child's birth, then the child can no longer claim Filipino citizenship, and thus cannot apply for a Philippine passport. Read more on Citizenship (Renunciation, Reacquisition, Retention).
Can we report our child's birth and apply for a passport at the same time?
Yes, it is more efficient that way, to combine both the report of birth and passport application, or combine both the report of marriage with passport renewal. One comes only once to the Embassy in Berlin to accomplish two things.
What happens to my old passport upon renewal?
It will be returned to you after your application, and you can continue to use it until the new one arrives in four (4) to six (6) weeks. When your new passport arrives in Berlin, you bring or mail your old passport to us with a self-addressed stamped envelope. We will then cancel your old passport, and return it to you together with your new passport.
I have valid foreign visas on my old passport, should I have it transferred to my new one?
No, Expired and Renewed passports do not affect the validity of the Visas. However, you must bring your old passport with valid visas along with your new passport when traveling. When in doubt, consult the Foreign Embassy that issued your visa.
When will I get my new passport?
After biometric data capture in Berlin, it takes about four (4) to six (6) weeks for the new passport to reach Berlin. The passports are all centrally printed in Manila. Please take this into consideration when planning your travels.
How can I claim my passport?
We will contact you when your passport is ready for pickup or delivery. Please take into account that it takes about four (4) to six (6) weeks for the new passport to reach Berlin from Manila.
I applied for a passport at the Embassy in Berlin, but I want to claim my passport in the Philippines. Is this possible?
Yes, it is possible to claim your passport in the Philippines even if you applied at the Embassy in Berlin. You need to submit a written letter stating your request. You would be advised if your passport is ready for release.
Please note that if you availed of this service, you would need to claim your passport at the DFA-OCA releasing site: DoubleDragon Plaza, DO Meridian Park, 24 Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila, between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
I still have other questions, who can I contact?
Please contact the Passport section at tel. 030 864 95 022 (after 14:00H) or email consular(at)philippine-embassy.de.