Online DFA Appointment

I suggest to start the day early if you're looking to renew your passport. if you're working, then it would be best to go to DFA during your rest day or whilst you're on leave because of the queue.  I woke up 5am (my sister 4:30am) and prepped up for our 10:30am appointment. The new DFA building is now located in paranaque, S&R building. We heard that, the traffic snarls in that area so just to be on the safe side we left early, the early the better. We personally picked 10:30am online since we felt that it's the best time, not too early and not too late. We were both a bit stressed out as there were quite a few buses bound to DFA (bus bound to DFA/mia-tambo 611) plying around in edsa/crossing area. Good thing we went to crossing early round 7am. The fare cost P22 from crossing to DFA.

Expect the unexpected..

The traffic flow was really light so we got there as early as 7:30am as far as I can recall. Dfa's new building isn't difficult to find because the bus will definitely stop once you’re there. There's also this very huge name outside the building that says s&r which houses dfa and it's very visible from afar so you won't get lost really. What are the landmarks? the 2nd petron gas station and mc donalds--it's literally across dfa's building. Because arrived very early, we then decided to have breakfast first in mcdo.

9am - we're already at the DFA office.
 Based on the blogs that we read, no need to fall in line if you set up your appointment online and just go straight to gate 3, it's different now. If you have a print out of your online application form, you need to go straight to gate 2.
Once you reached gate 2, there’ll be 2 lines—one for male & female.
Make sure before you fully enter the DFA office to present the print out copy of your appointment/schedule OR application form to the guard before you're allowed to get inside. Your bag will be checked as well.

Requirements first and foremost!

*Please don't forget to bring along photocopies of the ff.

-original passport
-photocopies of the 1st and last page of your passport, if there were stamps since you travelled before, just have page 2&3 included instead.
-your dfa appointment email confirmation
-your printed online application form!

Step 1

Present your application form to the appointment counter (do not fill it out or write anything yet) which is just to your right from the gate 2 entrance. The appointment people will stamp something in your form then write red check marks on them,  just fill out the ones with red check marks.  Don't touch those ones that the appointment people did not put any checkmarks obviously if you don't want to get scolded for not following instructions.


Step 2

Wait for your turn and have a seat on the chairs provided for (your seat is based on your appointment/scheduled). It took us roughly an hour there but don’t worry because the area has a canopy so you won’t feel the heat of the sun. Just bring a fan to cool you down in case you’re scheduled for the 11:30am appointment onwards.

Step 3

• Again, please don't forget to bring along photocopies of the ff.

-original passport
-photocopies of the 1st and last page of your passport, if there were stamps since you travelled before, just have page 2&3 included instead.
-your printed online application form!

• You'll be allowed to enter the airconditioned area once once your turn has come. This is where you will need to show up and present all your documents. That's why it's called 'appearance' because you just need to literally show up to attest that you're not an impostor XD

Step 4

It took us roughly an hour and a half (waiting for our turn to come amidst changing seats). Once you reached one of the counters/windows you will need to present the 3 documents i've mentioned on step 3.

• You will be asked to sign the application form (that's why you don't sign that part onset as it'll be done on this step) and asked how much you will be paying. Take this--Option a: P950 which will take 20 working days before your passport is released OR b: pay P1,200 for 10 working days. So i opted with the later of course.

• An official receipt will be issued to you and you may then proceed to the 2nd floor for payment. The lady in the appointment window will punch holes in your old passport by the way as an indication it's already cancelled.

Step 5

Payment, picture taking and shipping c/o LBC

• 2nd floor--pay for the passport and get your stub for the picture-taking que. Whilst waiting for your turn there would be people roaming around asking if you wish you passport shipped/delivered instead of picking it up yourself in dfa, the cost is fixed at P120 regardless where your location is. Then, this ready made receipt will be handed to you so proceed to the corner where LBC peeps will assist you out and confirm your shipping address. You’ll be given a print out of your delivery details including your official receipt number as well. Just wait grueling hours before you get you photo taken. My stub number was 1984 while my sister's 1928, see the gap in between? Why? Because she went straight to the cashier few minutes ahead of me.

Your mugshot err passport photo :D

• First off, don't forget to bring along all the documents i mentioned on step 3 again although this time around you should have your receipt and stub handy. After payment go to the spot where the sign reads ‘encoding’ to get you stub number by the way. Your stub will indicate how long you will need to wait before you get your photo taken. Just have a magazine, a book or an ipod handy while waiting for your turn because it WILL take a while. Some even took their laptops with them and dongle then surf the net while waiting. I tried their wifi but the signal was too weak.

• So it's your turn? Just remember that this will be your photo for the next 6 years so try to look good as much as possible and hopefully you get your photo taken on one of the booths with good lighting condition. Mine was ok though but my sister was really disappointed because she claimed her photo was really dim.

• Just a few reminders before you photo is taken:

-take off your earrings if any.
-your ears should be visible in the photo.
-be pensive but look relaxed (you won’t be asked to smile for the camera so don’t bother)

• It will take you roughly 5mins in the booth because aside from the picture taking thingy your now cancelled passport will be scanned, your details will be encoded and stored on their database. So, please make it a point to proofread them first before it's saved because if you don't that's your fault if some details were erroneously encoded.

• You will be asked to digitally affix your signature on this digital signature pad. They will digitally ask for both your left & right thumbprints. Afterwards, you're good to go and just wait for your passport to be couriered.

• The only document that will be left with you after the picture taking would be your LBC receipt and now old passport. All the rest of the documents will be scanned in your presence before your photo is taken and your details will be encoded as well right in your face so make sure to check all details entered by the encoder and assure they're 100% correct ayt?

T'was not really exhausting compared before that you need to endure the heat and all. It could’ve been faster if there weren't any gaps in between the entire process. I don't get it because the employees on the encoding/photo booths should have shifting break schedules so there shouldn't be any reason for the long wait. Geesh. Unless they encountered some system latencies.

Anyways, moving on we're glad it’s over and we decided to head off to moa (mall of asia) for some foodie time. Gadh, moa is really vast that you need to eat first before strolling around. I told my sister why not go there if you're not tired and you have all the time in the world to walk around. haiz.


End of day, It’s windy outside and my hair got really disheveled. We spent roughly P200 for the cabbie from moa to galleria in ortigas. I got my purple suitcase there for a hefty 2k while my sister bought her new vans slip on named ski girl doodle (vans outlet in galleria as well) for P2,298. It’s a replacement for her now worn out robot vans slip on. Good thing i have 2k worth of gift checks to splurge. I really love my new purple suitcase so i did not think twice although it's a bit expensive hehe. I actually don't mind spending as long as i like the stuff :)