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 Philippine 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)
- Prepare your requirements and supporting documents. Find the list of requirements here. You may get the application form from the DFA office and fill it out on the day you process your application. For your convenience, also have your documents photocopied beforehand. Otherwise, you can avail of the photocopy services in the DFA or at a souvenir shop at the mall's 2nd level.
- Present your ID and duly accomplished application form to get a priority number. For early birds (before the mall and DFA opens): The first 200 priority numbers shall be given at around 7am at the mall entrance. For those who come on time (around 9am): The guard will call out a line for new applicants just outside the DFA office. For those who come in later: Just inform the guard that you're applying for a new passport, so he can give you instructions.
- Processing. Numbers are called by batch. Queue up. Once inside, your ID and application form will be given back to you. There will be another queue at the processing area. When you get served, present your requirements, supporting documents and IDs to the checker. He/she will staple together the documents that you'll need to submit. If cleared, the checker will hand the stapled documents back to you and tell you to proceed to the payment area.
- Payment. You'll pay P950 for regular (get your passport in 20 days), or if you're in a hurry, it's P1,200 for express (10 days). Note: Figures reflected are from the DFA website, but the personnel at the DFA office will tell you a longer estimate of 25 and 15 days respectively.
- Encoding. After queuing, give the requirements to the encoder. He/she will scan your documents, take your picture, left and right thumb marks and signature, and encode your information. Make sure that the data entered is correct (beware of misspellings) to avoid being charged an amendment fee. Then, proceed to Window 1 to for a print-out of the information. If it looks good, sign it and pass!
- Releasing. Get your passport on the release date indicated on your receipt. Or you can have it delivered to you via LBC for only P120 (they'll get your receipt so they claim your passport on your behalf).
Applying for a passport is now fast (process it in only one day) and convenient, thanks to a well-organized Department of Foreign Affairs office. So what are you waiting for? Get your passport now!
