DFA Passport Requirements for Minors and Students in 2024

The following are the Philippine passport requirements for minors in 2024. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have some courtesy lanes for minor applicants below 1 year old, PWD, senior citizens and pregnant women. So those applicants may not need an appointment to process their passport.

Specific requirements and documents are required for minor applicants such as those who are not traveling with either parent or traveling alone, for applicants whose parents are currently living abroad, legitimate by subsequent marriage of parent, illegitimate, orphaned minor, foundling, adopted minors or adopted by foreigners, applicant whose parents are annulled or divorced, and whose mother is also a minor.

Take note of which situation or category the minor falls to so that you can prepare and gather the applicable documents required for that minor passport applicant.

Who is Considered a Minor?

A minor is anyone who is under the age of majority or below 18 years old. In this case of getting a passport, a minor still needs his or her parent’s consent or assistance in dealing with legal matters and travel overseas.

Passport Requirements for Minors below 18 years old:

• Confirmed appointment (except for 1 year old and below)
• Personal appearance of the minor applicant
• Personal appearance of either parent and valid passport of parents (if minor is a legitimate child)
• Personal appearance of mother and proper ID or valid passport of mother (if minor is an illegitimate child)
• Original Birth Certificate of minor in Security Paper issued by PSA or Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and duly authenticated by PSA. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in PSA Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. Report of Birth duly authenticated by PSA is required if minor was born abroad.
• Document of identity with photo, if minor is 8-17 years old (for first time and renewal applicant) such as School ID or Form 137 with readable dry seal
• For minor applicants who never attended school, a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation executed by either parent (if minor is a legitimate child) / by mother (if minor is an illegitimate child) detailing the reasons why the child is not in school, is required
• Marriage Certificate of minor’s parents duly authenticated by PSA (for legitimate child)
• Original and photocopy of valid passport of the person traveling with the minor

Additional Requirements:

Passport Requirements – If minor is traveling alone or without either of the parents

• Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is a legitimate child) / of mother (if minor is an illegitimate child)
• Affidavit of Support and Consent (ASC) executed by either parent indicating the name of the traveling companion and relationship to the minor. If minor will be traveling alone, ASC must be executed by either parent, stating that his/her child will be traveling alone. If minor is illegitimate, mother should execute the ASC.
• Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
• There is no need to secure a DSWD Clearance if the minor traveling abroad has parents who are in the Foreign Service or living abroad or are immigrants, provided he / she is holding a valid pass such as a dependent’s visa / pass / identification card or permanent resident visa / pass / identification card which serves as proof that he / she is living with parents abroad.

Passport Requirements for Minors – If both parents are abroad

• Affidavit of Support and Consent (ASC) executed by either parent indicating the name of the traveling companion (authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General). If minor is illegitimate, mother should execute the ASC.
• Special Power of Attorney (SPA) with an attached photocopy of either parent’s valid passport (authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General) authorizing a representative in assisting the child to apply for a passport. If minor is illegitimate, mother should execute the SPA.
• Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
• There is no need to secure a DSWD Clearance if the minor traveling abroad has parents who are in the Foreign Service or living abroad or are immigrants, provided he / she is holding a valid pass such as a dependent’s visa / pass / identification card or permanent resident visa / pass / identification card which serves as proof that he / she is living with parents abroad.
• Proper ID of the duly authorized representative (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs)

If minor is legitimated by subsequent marriage of parents:

• Authenticated Birth Certificate from PSA must include annotation regarding new status as legitimated and the full name of the child

If minor is illegitimate but acknowledged by father:

• Birth Certificate from PSA reflecting surname of father with Affidavit of Acknowledgement and Consent to use the surname of father

Foundling:

• Certificate of foundling authenticated by PSA
• DSWD Clearance
• Passport of the person who found the applicant
• Letter of authority or endorsement from DSWD for the issuance of passport

If minor is orphaned:

• Authenticated Death Certificates of parents from PSA
• Court order awarding guardianship of the orphaned minor applicant or substitute parental authority under Article 214 & 216 of the Family Code
• DSWD Clearance

If minor is abandoned:

• Court order awarding guardianship of the abandoned minor applicant or substitute parental authority
• DSWD Travel Clearance

If minor is Legally adopted:

• Original and Certified True Copy (CTC) of PSA Birth Certificate before adoption
• Original and Certified True Copy (CTC) of the PSA amended Birth Certificate after adoption
• Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Court Decision or Order on Adoption and Certificate of Finality
• DSWD clearance for minor applicant, if traveling with the person other than the adopting parents

In case the applicant is for adoption by foreign parents:

• Certified True Copy of the Court Decree of Abandonment of Child
• PSA Death Certificate of the child’s parents or the Deed of Voluntary Commitment executed after the birth of the child
• Endorsement of child to the Inter-country Adoption Board by the DSWD
• Authenticated Birth or Foundling Certificate

Minor applicant whose parents are annulled or divorced:

• Court order awarding guardianship of the minor applicant or substitute parental authority
• DSWD Travel Clearance
• PSA Marriage Certificate with annotation on nullity or annulment decree

Minor applicant whose mother is also a minor:

• Personal appearance of mother and maternal grandparent/s
• PSA Birth Certificate of minor applicant and mother
• Affidavit of Support and Consent executed by the maternal grandparent/s indicating the name of the traveling companion
• DSWD Clearance if minor will be traveling with the person other than the maternal grandparent/s
• Proof of identity of mother and maternal grandparent/s (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs)

Why should minors get a passport?

Minors should get a passport because it’s one of the most acceptable government issued IDs. While you need it to travel the world, you can also use it for banking transactions and application for student license. Almost any transaction in any office accepts a passport as a valid identification card.

Just complete the passport requirements for minors listed above corresponding to your status. Then visit the DFA office or branch near you. Some DFA offices also schedule mobile-passport appointments every now and then.

You can travel the world and make your dreams come true even if you are below 18. You can already apply for your own passport and travel alone or without your parents. Make sure though it is safe wherever you are going. Keep an open communication with your parents or legal guardians.

Passport Requirements for Minors Related Guides:

• DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors Requirements
• How to Get a Passport in the Philippines – UPDATED GUIDE
• VISA Free Countries for Filipinos