How to Apply for a Passport in Cebu

Note: This is the detailed version of the guide. A quick guide is also be available here.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Cebu is located at the 4th floor of Pacific Mall Mandaue (formerly Super Metro Mandaue). If you are an individual applying for a passport for the first-time, here's a guide (accurate as of February 24, 2012):


How to Apply for a Passport - New Applicants (Walk-In)

1. Prepare your requirements and supporting documents.
   
   
   Find the list of requirements here. You don't have to worry about the accomplished application form as you can get this from the DFA on the day of your application. The form is quite quick and easy to fill out too. There's also the E-Passport Application Form you can download online but I'm not sure if this will be honored since it has some slight differences with the form distributed at the DFA.
   
   
2. Get your priority number.
   
   
   The mall and the DFA office opens at 9am. However, you can already queue up outside the mall beforehand. If you don't have an application form yet, ask for it from the security guard. At around 7am, the first 200 priority numbers shall be given.
   
   If there are no more application forms or priority numbers when you arrive, they will no longer require you to line up. But once the mall opens, ascend to the DFA office, get an application form, completely fill it out and wait for the security guard to call out a line for new applicants (they will first entertain those with pending applications). Prepare a valid ID. When it's already your turn, submit the form and ID to the person-in-charge, and you'll be given your priority number.
   
   Wait outside the DFA office for your priority number to be called. While waiting, you may also have your documents photocopied. Photocopy services are available inside the DFA processing area (I guess the guard will let you in if you tell him you'll just have your requirements photocopied), or at a souvenir shop at the mall's 2nd level.
   
   Note: Although the DFA closes at 5:30pm, they will no longer receive new applications after 4pm.
   
   
3. Processing: Have your requirements checked.
   
   
   The numbers will be called out by batch (either in groups of 10 or 20). Queue up in line again according to your numbers. Once inside, your ID and application form will be given back to you. You'll then be seated at the processing area. You'll be directed to sit at the back of the middle portion, and you'll move closer to the front until it's your turn to be served. (Follow the security guard's instructions on where to be seated. The left side is for those who are processing via agency, while the right side is senior citizens, minors and families.)
   
   Give your requirements, supporting documents and IDs to the checker. He/she will staple together the documents you will be submitting. Depending on the document, the DFA will get the original or just the photocopy. For example, they'll take the original of your birth certificate, but they'll need just a photocopy of your Transcript of Records (but you'll still have to present the original).
   
   If your requirements are sufficient, the checker will give the stapled requirements back to you and tell you to proceed to the payment area.
   
   
4. Payment: Let go of your cash!
   
   
   You'll pay P950 for regular processing, or if you're in hurry to get your passport, it's P1,200 for express processing. The DFA website says 10 working days for express, and 20 working days for regular. At the DFA office, you'll be told it's 15 for express, 25 for regular. But on a personal note, it's 30 days for regular, based on the release date indicated on my receipt.
   
   
5. Encoding: Have your data inputted on the computer.
   
   
   There will be another queue at the encoding area. While waiting, you may play some games on your mobile phone or start a conversation with your fellow applicants, whatever suits you. Then, give your stapled requirements to the encoder. He/she will scan your documents, take your picture via the official DFA camera, left and right thumb marks and signature. He/she will then encode your information. Watch the screen and check if the input is correct; it is your responsibility (not the encoder's) to make sure that the information encoded is accurate (beware of misspellings). Else, you might be made to pay for an amendment fee if you find it out too late.
   
   The encoder will then ask you to proceed to Window 1, where you will be given a print-out of the encoded information. Review this one carefully (last chance to notice any wrongly-typed data). After reviewing, sign the document and give it back to the person-in-charge. Now all that's left to do is wait for your passport to be released!
   
   
6. Releasing: Hello Passport, Hello World!
   
   
   As already mentioned in step 3, the release date of your passport is indicated on your receipt. You can either come back to the DFA on the said date to claim your passport, or you can have it delivered via LBC for only P120.
   
   If you choose the latter, the LBC Delivery Service is located just beside the photocopying booth at the processing area. Mr. LBC will take your receipt, so they can claim your passport on your behalf. You can have your passport delivered to a specific address, like your home, or have it sent to an LBC branch where you can pick it up. Delivery of your passport shall be 1 to 2 days after the release date.

Applying for a passport is actually fast enough and convenient, thanks to a well-organized Department of Foreign Affairs office. Provided that your requirements are complete, you can definitely be able to finish processing your application in just one day. So what are you waiting for? Get your passport now (before the fees increase)!