DFA Passport for Minors & Lost/Damaged Replacement (2026)

Last verified: October 5, 2026

Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Minor and lost-passport rules involve legal documents — when in doubt, confirm with the DFA or your consular office before your appointment.

Quick answer: Minors (under 18) need a PSA birth certificate, the personal appearance of a parent or legal guardian with valid ID, and in some cases notarized parental consent — minor passports are valid 5 years. Lost valid passports need a notarized Affidavit of Loss, a police report (if stolen), and a ₱350 penalty, plus a 15-day clearing period before processing. Lost expired passports generally skip the penalty and the clearing period.

Part 1: Passport for minors

Requirements checklist (minor applicant)

• [ ] Confirmed DFA appointment — booked and paid at passport.gov.ph
• [ ] Personal appearance of the minor AND the parent/legal guardian
• [ ] PSA-authenticated birth certificate of the minor — original on security paper
• [ ] Valid ID of the accompanying parent/guardian — original + photocopy
• [ ] School ID of the minor, if available
• [ ] Marriage certificate of parents — if applicable to the minor’s circumstances
• [ ] Printed appointment packet + e-receipt

Parental consent rules

• If both parents are present: straightforward — both appear with the minor.
• If only one parent appears: bring notarized parental consent from the absent parent, or a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) authorizing the accompanying adult.
• If a legal guardian (not a parent) applies: bring proof of guardianship.
• Solo parents using the Courtesy Lane walk-in still need the standard minor documents plus a valid solo parent ID.

Key facts about minor passports

• Validity is 5 years (not 10 like adults).
• Fees are the same as adults: ₱950 regular / ₱1,200 expedited.
• Minors 7 years old and below qualify for the Courtesy Lane — no online appointment needed; parents and minor siblings can use the lane too.
• Biometrics are captured for the minor as well (photo; fingerprints per DFA procedure for the age).

Part 2: Lost passport replacement

Step-by-step

1. Report the loss. File a police report immediately at the local precinct — mandatory if the passport was stolen (it must bear the station stamp and signature). For a simply misplaced passport, a report is still recommended.

2. Draft and notarize the Affidavit of Loss. State when, where, and how the passport was lost. Have it notarized (typically ₱100–₱500; same-day service at most notaries). Prepare two copies — one for the DFA, one for yourself.

3. Book online at passport.gov.ph — select the “Lost Valid” or “Lost Expired” category, not regular renewal.

4. Gather documents: notarized Affidavit of Loss, police report (if applicable), PSA birth certificate, valid ID(s) (original + photocopy), and a photocopy of the lost passport’s data page if you have one.

5. Appear in person with all originals and photocopies. Biometrics are captured anew.

6. Pay: processing fee (₱950/₱1,200) plus the ₱350 lost-passport penalty (collected for lost valid passports).

7. Wait out the clearing period (lost valid passports only): 15 days from the day after biometrics, while the DFA verifies the lost document has not been misused. Processing time starts after clearing.

8. Claim with your official receipt and valid ID, or opt for courier delivery. An authorized representative needs an SPA to claim for you.

Clearing period rules

Situation	Clearing period	Penalty
Lost valid e-passport	15 days	₱350
Lost expired passport	Generally none	Generally none
Second consecutive loss within ~10 years	May extend to 30 days or require fraud-unit clearance	₱350 + possible investigation
Habitual loss	Stricter scrutiny at DFA’s discretion	Case by case

Lost abroad

Report to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate immediately. The post can issue a Travel Document for your trip home; then apply for the replacement in the Philippines or at the post. Abroad, the Affidavit of Loss is typically executed at the Embassy (consular notarization ~US$25–30).

Part 3: Damaged (mutilated) passport

If you still possess the damaged booklet, file under “Replacement of Damaged” — no Affidavit of Loss is required. Bring the damaged passport itself plus the standard requirements. The ₱350 penalty still applies to mutilated passports. Never attempt to repair or alter a damaged passport yourself — tampering is punishable under RA 11983.

Part 4: Married women — name choices

• Using your husband’s surname: PSA-authenticated marriage certificate (or Report of Marriage) required.
• Retaining your maiden name: no marriage certificate needed — indicate retention during application.
• Reverting to maiden name after using your husband’s surname: allowed under RA 11983 — bring the supporting PSA documents and indicate the request.
• These rules apply equally to new applications, renewals, and replacements.

Buod sa Tagalog

Para sa menor de edad: kailangan ng PSA birth certificate, personal appearance ng magulang/guardian na may valid ID, at notarized consent kung isang magulang lang ang kasama — 5 taon ang validity. Para sa nawalang valid passport: Affidavit of Loss (notarized), police report kung nanakaw, ₱350 penalty, at 15-day clearing period bago ma-process. Kung expired na ang nawala, kadalasan walang penalty at walang clearing period.

Troubleshooting

Notary will not notarize my Affidavit of Loss. The affidavit must state facts clearly (when/where/how lost) and you must present a valid ID to the notary. Vague or inconsistent statements get rejected — rewrite with specific details.

Police precinct refuses a report for a merely misplaced passport. A blotter entry for documentation purposes is standard practice; ask specifically for an incident/blotter report rather than a theft investigation. For stolen passports, the full report with stamp and signature is mandatory.

DFA deferred my application for “additional verification.” Comply with whatever is requested (extra IDs, NBI clearance, fraud-unit interview). Do not rebook under a different category to dodge the hold — that worsens the case.

My name changed since the lost passport was issued (marriage). Bring the PSA marriage certificate in addition to the loss documents, and select the name-change option during application so the new passport reflects your current name.

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Related guides: DFA Passport: Complete 2026 Guide · Book an Appointment Online · Requirements for New Applicants · Passport Renewal · Fees 2026

Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official sources: passport.gov.ph, consular.dfa.gov.ph. Lost-passport rules (₱350 penalty, 15-day clearing) and minor requirements per DFA advisories via 2026 guides — the DFA may impose additional verification at its discretion.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a lost valid passport replacement take in total?

Roughly 21–25+ working days: 15-day clearing period plus the normal 6–12 day processing (longer outside Metro Manila or during backlogs). Plan accordingly.

I lost my passport but it was already expired. Do I still pay the penalty?

Generally no — both the ₱350 penalty and the 15-day clearing period are typically waived for already-expired passports. Book under the "Lost Expired" category.

Can my spouse claim my new passport for me?

Only with a Special Power of Attorney and valid IDs. For the application itself, personal appearance is mandatory — no exceptions.

What if my lost passport is found after I applied?

Inform the DFA immediately. A found passport that was reported lost should be surrendered — using a reported-lost passport (or letting someone else use it) is a criminal offense under RA 8239 and the Revised Penal Code.

My child is 17 — do the minor rules still apply?

Yes. Anyone under 18 is a minor applicant: parent/guardian appearance and consent rules apply, and the passport is valid 5 years.

The DFA asked for an NBI clearance for my lost-passport application. Is that normal?

The DFA reserves the right to request an NBI clearance when it suspects identity fraud or sees multiple lost passports. It is not standard — but comply promptly if asked, since it is a fraud-prevention measure.