Passport Application for Minors: What You Need to Bring and Why

Margaret is 13 years old and is about to secure her very first passport.  It would have been a breeze to accomplish this errand if not for Margaret’s living arrangement that is quite complicated.

Margaret’s parents separated before she turned 7 years old.  Her mother went back home to her province in Dumaguete; Margaret was left with her father who was then working as a nurse in Manila.  Not long after the separation, her father met another woman who would later assume the role of Margaret’s mom.  By the time Margaret turned 9 years old, her father’s girlfriend has moved in with them and has since been taking care of Margaret like she was her own daughter.

Her father is now based in London with a successful career as a dialysis nurse.  He wants for his girlfriend and Margaret to come visit him this summer.  While Margaret is all set to begin her passport application process, her father’s girlfriend is a bit worried that she might not be able to produce the documents required by the DFA.

What are the general requirements for minors applying for a passport?

The requirements vary depending on the child’s birthright and if she is traveling on her own, with her parents, or a guardian.

General Requirements:

1. Confirmed appointment
2. Personal appearance of minor
3. Personal appearance of parent
4. PSA birth certificate
5. School ID or Form 137 of minor applicant
6. PSA marriage certificate of minor applicant’s parents.
7. Affidavit of support and consent to travel (from parent).
8. Valid passport of the person traveling with the minor.
9. Parents’ valid passport or identification documents.

If the child is not traveling with either parent or alone:

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. DSWD clearance

If both parents are abroad:

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. Special power of attorney (with an attached photocopy of either parent’s valid passport authorizing a representative in assisting the child to apply for a passport.  If minor is illegitimate, mother should execute the SPA).

If minor is legitimated by subsequent marriage of parents.

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. PSA birth certificate of the minor and must include the annotation regarding new status as legitimated and the full name of the child.

If minor is illegitimate but acknowledged by father.

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. PSA birth certificate of the minor reflecting surname of father with Affidavit of Acknowledgment and Consent to use the surname of the father.

If minor is legally adopted

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. PSA birth certificate
   • Original and certified true copy of PSA birth certificate before adoption.
   • Original and certified true copy of PSA amended birth certificate after adoption.
3. DSWD clearance
   • If traveling with a person other than the adopting parents.
4. Certified True Copy of the Court Decision of Order on Adoption and Certificate of Finality must also be complied.

If minor’s parents are annulled / divorced

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. PSA marriage certificate of parents with annotation on nullity or annulment decree.
3. DSWD clearance

If minor’s mother is likewise a minor

1. All of the General Requirements and
2. Personal appearance of mother and maternal grandparents.
3. PSA birth certificate of minor applicant and mother.
4. Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the maternal grandparents indicating the name of the traveling companion.
5. DSWD clearance if traveling with a person other than the maternal grandparents.
6. Proof of identity of mother and maternal grandparents.

Minors 12 months and below are no longer required to seek an appointment with the DFA.

Apart from producing all the basic documentary requirements, Margaret’s father had to contact her mother and request her to accompany Margaret to the DFA.  This made Margaret’s passport application a lot easier than if she were accompanied by her father’s girlfriend.

Applying for a minor child’s passport could get complicated if you are not armed with the necessary documents beforehand.  We hope this list helps clear out the questions that most parents have regarding their children’s passport applications and renewals.

 

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