The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has a special lane for certain individuals. This means that they can “walk in” at consular offices for passport applications, without having to book an appointment online.
The Courtesy Lane is for the following: minors aged seven (7) years old and below, pregnant applicants, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, overseas Filipinos, Muslim Filipinos attending Hajj Pilgrimage, and individuals with exceptional and emergency cases.
Guidelines and Requirements for DFA Courtesy Lane
A person who is eligible to use the DFA Courtesy Lane can “walk in” at consular offices from Mondays to Fridays, during regular working hours. He/She may be accompanied by a family member, legal guardian, or authorized representative; both of them must present valid documents.
Based on the DFA official website, here are the guidelines for those who will use the Courtesy Lane for their passport applications:
Minors 7 Years Old and Below
A minor applicant aged seven (7) years old and below must be accompanied by an adult: a parent (mother or father), a legal guardian, or an authorized representative. The accompanying adult and minor siblings may also avail of the Courtesy Lane during the passport application.
For accompanying parents, they need to present the minor applicant’s Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate as proof of their relationship. Likewise, the birth certificates of minor siblings should also be presented to show their relationship to their parents.
Meanwhile, for legal guardians and authorized representatives, they must present a court-issued guardianship order, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for parental consent and authorization, and other legal documents that prove their right to act for the minor applicant.
Pregnant Applicants
Pregnant applicants need to present a medical certificate or medical records as proof of pregnancy. This may include prenatal records, ultrasound reports, or other similar documents.
Senior Citizens
A senior citizen should present a valid Senior Citizen ID or other valid ID that indicates his/her age. He/She may be accompanied by one (1) adult companion who can use the Courtesy Lane if they are related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity, or a traveling companion.
For family members, they must show PSA documents that prove their relationship to the senior citizen.
For traveling companions who are not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity, they need to present proof of travel with the senior citizen, such as a confirmed flight or hotel booking. They should also provide an Affidavit of Undertaking, which indicates the destination, purpose of travel, and justification for accompanying the senior citizen.
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
A PWD applicant must present a valid PWD identification card. He/She can be accompanied by one (1) adult companion who may use the Courtesy Lane if they are related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity, or a traveling companion.
For family members, they need to show PSA documents as proof of their relationship to the PWD applicant.
For traveling companions who are not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity, they should present proof of travel with the PWD applicant, e.g. a confirmed flight or hotel booking. They must also provide an Affidavit of Undertaking that states the destination, purpose of travel, and justification for accompanying the PWD applicant.
Solo Parents
Solo parents need to present a valid Solo Parent Identification Card. They may be accompanied by their minor child/children, as long as the minor applies at the same time as the parent. The name of the parent should be reflected in the minor’s PSA-issued Birth Certificate or Report of Birth.
Overseas Filipinos (OFs)
Migrant workers, other Filipino nationals, and their dependents who live or work overseas may use the Courtesy Lane. This applies to newly deployed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well.
The applicant must show the following document(s) as proof of their eligibility for using the Courtesy Lane:
- Valid Employment Contract;
- Overseas Employee Certificate (OEC);
- Employment Certificate verified by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW);
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) OFW E-Card;
- Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) or Record Book stamped at an international border not more than 364 days;
- Valid Residence Card from the government of the host country; or
- Proof of Enrollment for students studying abroad.
To be able to use the Courtesy Lane, dependents — e.g. spouse, children, parents, siblings — need to present PSA documents to establish their relationship with the principal eligible applicant.
Muslim Filipinos Attending Hajj Pilgrimage
All DFA consular offices may accept Filipino Hajj participants who will apply for a Philippine passport, starting from the announcement or Hajj advisory for the official launching of Hajj registration, with the duration of four (4) months.
Filipino Hajj participants need to present a Certificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Membership issued by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), stating that the purpose is for Hajj application.
Individuals with Exceptional and Emergency Cases
Persons with medical emergencies, death emergencies, educational or national representations, or other similar cases may use the Courtesy Lane for their passport applications:
Medical Emergencies. These include applicants who need to travel abroad for their own medical treatment, or to assist an ill family member/relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity. They must show PSA documents as proof of their relationship to the ill family member/relative.
Death Emergencies. These include applicants who need to go abroad to assist funeral arrangements for a deceased family member/relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity. They are required to show PSA documents as proof of relationship to the deceased family member.
Educational or National Representations. These include applicants who need to travel abroad to attend educational activities, seminars, or to represent the Philippines in national competitions. These cases are subject to the verification and approval of the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs or any duly authorized Officer.
Infographic: Courtesy Lane Eligibility
Eligible applicants and their family members/travel companions may use the DFA Courtesy Lane, provided that they adhere to the above guidelines and submit the necessary documents.
As for those who are not eligible to use the Courtesy Lane, an online appointment is required. Check out this article for a step-by-step guide on how to book a passport appointment with the DFA online.