For months now, it has been a challenge to get an appointment to renew our Philippine Passport.
Some friends need to check various DFA sites, even go to nearby provinces to get a schedule.
Yesterday, while doing some errands, I passed by the DFA Bacolod Site in Robinsons Mall. When I inquired, I was offered to use the Simple Renewal Service.

The Temporary Off-site Passport Service (TOPS) has a separate space near the DFA site. This service was launched just this month (in Bacolod, according to the staff).

Who can avail of the simple renewal via the Temporary Off-Site Passport Service?

Only straightforward passport renewal application. This means:

1. No new/ first-time applications
2. No renewal that require change or correction of name
3. No renewal of lost or mutilated passport

How to avail of the the Temporary Off-Site Passport Service?

As you only have 30 minutes to complete the whole process, make sure to have old passport for the details you need (passport number, date of issue, place of issue), birth certificate (as you need your father’s and mother’s maiden information), and credit card (if you will be paying online).

1. Access the DFA Appointment Site: https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment/
2. Choose the Temporary Off-Site Passport Service near you
3. Choose an available date and time slot
4. Fill up Personal/ Family Information
5. Pay for the fees to complete the transaction. Only charges shown during the online booking process are to be paid. No other fee will be paid on-site at the TOPS site, nor should applicants pay extra fees to obtain an appointment.

Applicants can choose between pick up or courier (with shipping charges) for the passport release. Applicants who wish to pick up their passports will have to go to the Supervising Consular Office of the TOPS Site to personally claim their passports. Applicants who wish to have their passports released via courier must agree to have their current passport cancelled on-site.

There is no expedited processing when you apply at a TOPS facility. Processing time is between 12-15 working days. The delivery of passports via courier will add 3-5 working days to the passport turnaround time.

Applicants who booked at this TOPS Site who do not meet the requirements of a straightforward passport application and / or who do not agree to its procedures (i.e. cancellation of passport on-site) will not be processed. No request for refund nor change of passport processing site will be entertained.

What do you need to bring on the day of your appointment?

1. Print the passport application form sent to your email; ensure that the form is printed in full.
2. Bring the printed application form, email confirmation and necessary documents (including photocopies of ID, birth certificate or old passport) on the date of your appointment.
3. Pen (black or blue ink) as you will be instructed to sign the passport application form in front of the attending consular official.

Important Reminders:

• Applicants are encouraged to be at the site at least 10 minutes before their scheduled appointment.
• Due to the limited space in our consular area, minor applicants, senior citizens (60 years old and above), visibly pregnant, and persons with a disability (PWD) are only allowed to have one (1) companion during their appointment schedule.
• All applicants are expected to observe proper attire, decorum and health protocols while inside our premises.
• If an appointment schedule is cancelled, a new appointment must be made through passport.gov.ph.

What do you need for your Passport release?

After about 12-15 working days, your passport should be ready. These are the requirements you need to present when you claim your passport at the TOPS site.

1. Original DFA issued receipt. In case of a lost receipt, the applicant or authorized representative is required to present the Original notarized Affidavit of Lost Receipt executed by the applicant.
2. Original acceptable ID
3. Old Passport (for renewal applications)

In case the applicant is unable to claim his/her passport, immediate family members* are allowed to claim the passport in behalf of the applicant

• Authorization letter (must mention affiliation with applicant),
• Original DFA issued receipt,
• Valid ID (original and photocopy) of applicant and representative 
  *Immediate family members of legal age such as parents, brother, sister, spouse or children

In case a person other than an immediate family member will claim the applicant’s passport

• Original notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the applicant, issued to the authorized representative
• Valid ID (original and photocopy) of applicant and representative indicated in the Special Power of Attorney

For minor applicants

• If passport will be claimed by mother, claimant must present original DFA issued receipt and valid ID
• If passport will be claimed by father, claimant must present original DFA issued receipt, valid ID and PSA documents indicating proof of parental authority over the minor