As the number of Filipinos adopted by Uncle Sam grows, so do the immigrants applying for Philippine passport renewal in the USA every year. While the Philippine Embassy provides all the necessary information you need to renew your passport, we’ve found a need to present it in a way that is more organized and easier to understand. US cities/states differ in terms of procedure and requirements so we’ve dedicated separate sections for each. Let’s now discuss important guidelines and reminders that apply to Philippine passport renewal applicants living in specific US states. Read the main article here: How to Renew Philippine Passport Abroad: Guide for OFWs and Filipino Immigrants
The Philippines, through its Embassies or Consulates all over the US, now issues electronic passports (ePassport) to all its citizens. This ePassport has a built-in chip or microchip technology and other security features that make it tamper-proof and compliant with the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The microchip in the Philippine ePassport holds the passport holder’s vital personal data including his digital signature, biometrics, biographical information found on the passport’s data page, and the unique identification number of the chip itself–all of which are essential in verifying the passport holder’s identity at every international port of entry.
The Philippine Embassy and Consulates in the US require applicants to secure an online appointment for passport renewal.
No need to bring photos to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate as your picture, fingerprints and digital signature will all be taken on-site.
After receiving and processing your Philippine passport for renewal, the Embassy/Consulate General will then send it to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for printing. All in all, Philippine passport renewal in the US takes a minimum of 6 weeks to complete–from submitting your requirements to receiving the new passport.
Therefore, if you have a Philippine passport that is about to expire within the next 6 months, and you’re planning to travel within the same period, it’s highly recommended to renew it as soon as possible. In addition to the waiting time for the new passport to arrive, you should also take into consideration the recent announcement of the DFA that they can no longer extend the validity of expired ePassports.
1. Schedule an appointment through the QLess consular online system. Walk-in application is not allowed at the Embassy.
Here are some reminders when scheduling an appointment in the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.:
2. Go to the Embassy on your scheduled date and time. Proceed to Window 2 and submit the passport renewal requirements.
3. Pay the processing fee to the cashier.
The processing fee is $60 payable in cash 3 . Personal checks and credit cards are not allowed.
4. Go to Room 1 for your biometrics capture.
5. The processing of passports takes six to eight weeks. While waiting for your passport release, visit the Passport Finder page of the Embassy website to check your passport’s status.
6. Wait for your new passport, which will be mailed to you. The Embassy discourages the personal pickup of passport in its consular office.
Watch out for announcements on the Philippine Embassy website about upcoming consular outreach missions in states or territories under its jurisdiction.
For instance, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. will have the following consular outreach programs for the rest of 2021 4 :
These consular outreach programs will render passport services. Regularly check the embassy’s website for the official press release and instructions for these consular outreach programs.
Passport renewals via consular outreach are by appointment only—no walk-in applicants are accepted
Take note that the processing fee for passport renewals through consular outreach programs is $70 payable in cash.
For inquiries regarding consular outreach missions, contact the Embassy at 202-467-9303 or [email protected].
1. Since July 15, 2021 5 , the Philippine Consulate in Chicago has been using the DFA’s Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) for passport application appointments.
Here are the steps for scheduling an appointment in the Philippine Consulate in Chicago via GOAS:
Step 1: Access the DFA’s GOAS here.
Step 2: Select Schedule an Appointment.
Step 3: Tick the Terms and Conditions checkbox and select whether you will have an individual or group appointment.
Step 4: From the dropdown menu, select North America as the region, the United States of America as the country, and PCG Chicago as the site.
Step 5: Complete the online form by entering your email address, US address, and contact details.
Step 6: Confirm your appointment through the notification that will be sent to your email account.
Step 7: Print the Application Packet indicating your appointment date and time.
2. After securing an appointment, visit the Consulate on your scheduled date and time. Proceed to the client waiting area.
3. Undergo the usual process for passport renewal: submission of documents, payment of passport fee, biometrics capture, and data encoding.
4. Processing time for passport renewals in Chicago is six to eight weeks. Check the Consulate website for the list of passports available for release.
5. As soon as your new passport is ready for release, send your old passport, claim stub, and self-addressed stamped USPS Priority Mail envelope to the Consulate in Chicago.
6. View the list of mailed passports on the Consulate website to check if your passport has been mailed and when it was sent.
Update: The Philippine Consulate in Chicago has resumed its consular outreach missions. For instance, it recently announced a consular outreach mission in Cedar Rapids, Iowa scheduled on the 30th of October, 2021. For more information, kindly read the consulate’s official announcement here.
The Consulate in Chicago posts announcements about its consular outreach services on its website and Facebook page . Note the deadline and instructions on getting an appointment slot for a particular outreach.
The appointment is a must for applicants due to limited slots. Securing an appointment typically involves sending an email to the Consulate (The exact email address, which varies per outreach, can be found on the instructions per announcement).
The email message must include the applicant’s personal information, preferred outreach site, and a copy of the passport for renewal.
On the day of your confirmed appointment, present the original and photocopy of the requirements to the consulate officer.
Address: 2433 Pali Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. For instructions on how to get to the consulate, kindly refer here.
Contact information: 808-595-6316 to 19 / [email protected]
Office hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Consular jurisdiction:
The Consulate in Honolulu requires an appointment for all passport renewals.
Senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, and children aged 7 and below are no longer exempted from making an appointment
However, walk-ins are allowed for emergencies with documentary proof, such as a medical certificate or death certificate.
Starting October 25, 2021 6 , the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu will be using the DFA’s Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) for passport appointments. Appointment slots available starting October 25 will be for appointments for 2022.
Once your appointment is confirmed, print out the email confirmation and bring this copy on your appointment schedule.
Update: As of October 08, 2021, there’s no upcoming consular outreach mission of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu. Check the consulate’s website regularly for any updates regarding its consular outreach missions.
You can find the upcoming consular outreach in various parts of Hawaii on the Announcement page of the Consulate website and Facebook page .
Passport renewals through consular outreach programs require an appointment. To schedule an appointment, click on the link provided in the consular outreach announcement (On Facebook Events, click the Find Tickets link).
An appointment is required for passport renewal in the Consulate in Houston. Get a slot through the new passport appointment system.
Print the confirmation email from the Consulate and bring it on the day of your application.
Arrive at the Consulate 15 minutes before your appointment schedule and submit the requirements to the Document Evaluation Section.
Processing of passport renewals submitted to the Consulate in Houston takes six to eight weeks.
The Consulate website provides an option for personal claiming of passport from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Passport release through mail is also allowed, as long as you send a self-addressed stamped USPS Priority Mail/Express Mail envelope to the Consulate in Houston.
Note: The Philippine Consulate in Houston may be closed temporarily depending on the current situation. Check the Consulate website and Facebook page for announcements and updates.
When this happens, here’s what you can do to renew your passport:
Check the Consulate’s Facebook page and website for announcements on upcoming consular outreach in your area.
For instance, the Philippine Consulate in Houston recently announced its upcoming consular outreach mission 8 in Dallas, Texas on November 06 – 07, 2021. This outreach mission will render passport renewal services to applicants. To set an appointment for this outreach mission, go to this webpage.
Appointment for passport services in the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles 11 will be via the DFA’s Global Appointment Online System (GOAS). You may also apply in the new Philippine ePassport Renewal Center facility operated by VFS Global in Los Angeles (La PaRC). The facility is located at 8530 Wilshire Blvd. STE 420 Beverly Hills, CA 90211. La PaRC charges a convenience fee of $45 plus the regular renewal fee of $60. Click this link to set an appointment in LA PaRC.
You may also scan these QR codes to apply for an appointment via the GOAS or LA PaRC.
After your passport renewal application in LA, your passport will be available within six to eight weeks.
Personal passport pickup at the Consulate is no longer an option. Passport release is done through the mail. Provide your own self-addressed stamped USPS envelope during your passport renewal application.
Check your passport status through the tracking feature on the homepage of the Consulate website. Just enter the tracking number and click the Track button.
If you haven’t received your passport after more than eight weeks, you may follow up on its status by filling out and sending a Passport Availability Request to the Consulate.
You can find the consular outreach schedule on the Consulate website. For instance, the most recent outreach mission by the Consulate in Los Angeles was last September 2021. For announcements on upcoming outreach missions by the Consulate, regularly check this webpage.
To ensure that you’ll be given a slot, follow the steps correctly and submit the pre-processing requirements within the pre-registration period.
The Consulate posts the list of applicants with a confirmed appointment on its website.
On your scheduled appointment, arrive at the outreach site 15 minutes in advance. After your renewal application, the Consulate will mail your passport within 12 weeks.
An appointment is required for passport renewals in the Consulate in New York. Book your appointment through the Philippine Consulate on New York’s website. Select the Click here to book an appointment button. Opening of slots is done at a maximum of one month (or 30 calendar) days in advance. Slots for passport services are opened every ten minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
If you have any questions or problems getting a schedule, send a message to [email protected].
Once you’ve set an appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation via email and SMS.
On your appointment day, arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your schedule. Show your confirmed appointment at the Consulate.
New passports are released within four to eight weeks via mail from the application date. No personal passport pickup is allowed.
Here’s how to renew your passport through a consular outreach service by the Consulate in New York:
Choose an outreach venue and schedule on the Consulate website.
Fill out the Passport Appointment Request Form .
Send the appointment form and appropriate application form together with the required documents to [email protected] at least seven days prior to the scheduled outreach mission.
Wait for a confirmation notice of your appointment via email or phone call from the Consulate three days before the scheduled outreach. Print out the confirmed appointment and bring this copy to the scheduled outreach.
As of October 09, 2021, the Philippine Consulate in New York will be having the following consular outreach programs for the rest of 2021:
For more information on the upcoming consular outreach programs of the consulate, click here.
The Consulate in San Francisco requires an appointment for passport renewals. No walk-ins are allowed.
As of 2021, the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco is also now using the DFA Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) for passport services appointments. To secure an appointment via GOAS, follow these steps:
NOTE: New appointment slots open every Monday, 5:30 PM Pacific Time.
Once you’ve completed booking your passport appointment, print the confirmation email, then bring it on your appointment schedule. Alternatively, you may save the confirmation email on your smartphone.
Applications filed in the Consulate in San Francisco take six to eight weeks 13 to process. When your new passport is ready for delivery, you’ll receive an SMS and/or email notification. You may also call +1 (415) 269 2090 or send an inquiry to [email protected] to check your passport availability.
The Consulate is releasing passports only through the mail. No personal pickup is allowed.
Send a self-addressed USPS envelope to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco
(Attention: Passport Section).
Include the following items in your mail:
Here’s what you can do if you have an urgent trip to the Philippines:
The Consulate posts its upcoming consular outreach three weeks before the activity on its website , Facebook page , and Twitter account . Each post has the date, time, and exact location of outreach activity, including a link to the appointment system.
Once you get an appointment, arrive at the outreach site 30 minutes before your scheduled date and time.
The new passport will be mailed to you, so bring a mailing stamp for USPS Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. The Consulate in New York will provide the envelope, label, and tracking number.
Update: The Philippine Consulate announced its upcoming consular outreach mission in Reno, Nevada 14 on October 23 – 24, 2021. This outreach mission includes the rendering of passport services for applicants. Kindly access this site to book an appointment for this consular outreach mission. For any announcement regarding upcoming outreach missions of the consulate, kindly refer here.
The Embassy or Consulate may be too far from where you live. Plan how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay overnight if needed.
You might need to book a flight and accommodation or ask to stay with a Filipino friend living in the area.
Have an itinerary for the day, especially if you’re traveling with your family. Plan your side-trips, too. Consider visiting parks and museums near the consular office when you’re done with your passport renewal.
For example, if you’ll apply in Washington, DC, you may explore the White House, Washington Monument, and National Geographic Museum.
Near the Consulate in Chicago, visit free tourist attractions such as the Buckingham Fountain, The Bean, and Chicago Riverwalk.
Philippine passport renewal in the US costs USD 60 at the Embassy or Consulate and USD 70 at consular outreach missions.
If you’ll pay in a postal money order or cashier’s check, make it payable to the “Embassy of the Philippines” or “Philippine Consulate General,” whichever is applicable.
Get a Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express envelope from the US Postal Service (USPS). The USPS envelope is the standard requirement for passport mailing by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in the US. Also, it’s the cheapest option compared to private couriers in America.
Follow the Embassy’s/Consulate’s specifications for the self-addressed stamped envelope. The USPS envelope should include the following (Otherwise, you might encounter problems in receiving the mail):
Before your scheduled appointment, check with the Embassy/Consulate regarding its protocols on the submission of a return envelope for passport mailing.
Depending on where you’ll renew your passport, you may be asked to bring your return envelope to the Embassy/Consulate on your appointment day and submit it along with other requirements.
Or you may be required to mail your return envelope to the Embassy/Consulate only when your new passport is available for release.
