This section deals with passports or other travel-related documents of Filipino citizens only.  Information related to the travel of non-Filipinos to the Philippines are in the section entitled Visas and Permits . 

The MECO Consular Affairs Office processes the passports and travel-related documents of Philippine citizens.  It also administers the oath (notarization) of all application forms or authenticates the documents in support of an application for a passport or travel documents of Filipinos.

The issuance of Philippine Passports by the MECO is guided by the provisions of Republic Act 8239 otherwise known as the “Philippine Passport Act of 1996” and the subsequent issuances of the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter.  Again due to the unique character of MECO some adjustments have been made over the years concerning some requirements without compromising the integrity of the process and the passport issued.

The Philippine government now issues only Machine Readable Passports (MRP) . Machine Readable Passports have greater security features that allow for faster processing in airports.  This is in pursuance with the deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that requires member-countries to issue machine readable passports exclusively by April 1, 2010.  After this date only machine readable passports will be accepted by member-countries.

Click here for the Checklist and Forms . 

Number of Pages of the Machine Readable Passport 

The new machine readable passport has 43 pages excluding the page where contract addresses appears. Issuance of the 64 page passport has been discontinued.

Cost of Machine Readable Passport

Cost of passport effective February 1, 2010 is NT$2,000.00 for new or renewal passports and NT$3,000.00 for replacement of lost passport. Increase in fees shall follow any increase that will be approved by the DFA for all Posts abroad.

Centralized Printing of Machine Readable Philippine Passports

The printing and issuance of the new Machine Readable Philippine (MRP) passport is centralized at the Head Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) , Pasay City, Philippines.   This being the case, the DFA reserves the right to reject the issuance in case of requirements that are not complete, photos that do not conform to regulations or doubts in the citizenship of the applicant.

Doubt on Citizenship of Applicant

Any doubt on the citizenship of the applicant will be forwarded to the DFA for consideration and as to whether or not applicant will be issued a new Philippine passport.

Loss of Two (2) or More Passports Within a Period of Two Years 

As per Memorandum Circular No. 30-96 dated 18 October 1996 “a passport may not be issued to someone who has declared two (2) lost passports consecutively within a two year period.”  The case should be referred to the Research and Investigation Group (RIG) of the DFA for further investigation.  “In cases where three (3) or more passports were declared lost consecutively within a two year period, no passport shall be issued until the applicant is investigated and cleared by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)” Pending the resolution of said cases no replacement passport can be issued to applicant concerned.

Personal Appearance

Personal appearance is required during the filing of the application and claiming the machine readable passports.  The only exception are children 8 years and below.  The Filipino parent or legal guardian must appear in person to sign the computer generated application form of the minor. S/he is also required to personally claim the passport of the minor child. Children from 8 years and 1 day must appear in person at the MECO office for the finger printing.

Amendments

Amendments will be entertained only if the cause of the same happened in Taiwan such as change of name due to marriage, divorce or death.

Amendment to conform with the data in the birth certificate including clerical or typographical errors will not be entertained unless the birth certificate was issued by the concerned Taiwan office the same is true with  documents to support other kinds of amendments.

MRP cannot be amended by stating the amendment in the “amendment” page of the passport. Instead, amendment will be effected by the re-issuance of a new passport reflecting the amendment requested.

Schedule of Release of Documents

Travel documents will be released after three (3) working days.  Documents with the additional Expedite Fee will be released after 5.00 p.m. of the same day.

Processing of Documents

Some documents or applications may need to be authenticated or submitted for affirmation (notarized) PRIOR to filing.  Authentication and notarization is undertaken by the Consular Service of MECO.  Some of the application forms or supporting documents are found in this page and may be downloaded.   If you do not find the form for affidavits or special powers of attorney in support of processing these documents, you may proceed to the Authentication Services page. You may even have the option to fill-up some forms and print the same using this website.  The filing of the application and supporting documents are filed with the MECO Consular Affairs Office .