Philippine Passport Renewal in SM Seaside 2022

Just renewed my passport!

The major change for new Philippine passports is probably the 10-year validity. Thank God.

If you have renewed your passport in the past, you know that it's a hassle to book an appointment online. Yet, the new booking system is better in some way because you won't have to wait in a long line and go in DFA early. 

You can book an appointment here: https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment

There are 2 new sites you can now go to in Cebu - DFA office in Pacific Mall Mandaue and SM Seaside. I was able to successfully book an appointment in SM Seaside, which is near my place - convenient!

The tricky part of getting an appointment is that you need to always check on the site for available schedules. There's a new gig on Facebook where you can get someone to book an appointment for you for a fee. So if you want to save yourself from the hassle of waiting for a vacant slot, you may want to avail of it. I don't think it's a "fixer" system anyway.

For renewals, you just need to bring the following:

• Old passport
• Photocopy of the first page of your passport - the one with your picture in it
• A copy of your Online booking with your details and receipt
• Identification card (just in case)

From my experience, here are the steps to renew your Philippine passport:

1.  When you arrive in the satellite office (SM Seaside), you can just approach the guard and he will collect your documents.

2. Wait around 15 to 25 minutes for your name to get called. They will hand you your documents back.

3. You will line up for the DFA staff to check your documents  (no stress cause you will be sitting down) and there are more than 5 of them who'll be checking. It's just quick.

4. If everything's good with your documents, you will be instructed to go to the next room where you'll get your picture taken. You will also get a stub with the pick-up-schedule.

5. Get your picture taken. Make sure your shirt's neck area isn't too low.

Even if you renewed your passport in SM Seaside, you still have to get it in Pacific Mall. Yes, this is the sad part for a satellite office. 

Pacific Mall - Regular passport fee: P950 (12-20 days) / Rush: P1,200 (7-10 days)

SM Seaside - Regular passport fee: P1,200 / No Rush

Goodluck with your passport renewal!