There are usually few good things to say about government services. But renewal of e-passports using Internet is a fascinating and most efficient system. If you live in Europe the alternative is to submit your old passport to the Philippine Consular Service in your country and wait 3 months. If you already have a passport and need only to renew and ask for the electronic or machine readable format, and if you are in Manila for a week or so, I advise to do this all online. But if you are a first time applicant, that is a whole other track and could require several documents and return visits to verify all your papers.

To process an e-passsport renewal, use the e-method designed by the DFA.

First, on your computer or at an Internet cafe. Go to the Department of Foreign Affairs website, www.dfa.gov.ph (edited) and click on Consular services, then renewal of e-passport. All renewals of passports will be in the machine readable format, all inputs are digitized including your photo, signature and fingerprints. Read the page carefully to see what documents you need to submit or give photocopies of. The usual minimum are: photocopy of your birth certificate as verified by the National Statistics Office on yellow paper (better photocopy this in color); photocopy of your current passport: the front pages (your ID photo and data) and the back pages (signature of consul); and photocopy of pages showing the date of arrival stamps in the Philippines; photocopy of a second identity showing your ID photo and date of birth.

If any changes are introduced into your new e-passport, you may need certifying documents. For example, if you are now married, but single on the old passport, bring a copy of your marriage contract or license. If you were married and are now divorced, bring the court decision. Have all and any such documents ready to hand over.

While on the same page, you will find a box that offers you an opportunity to download the e-passport application form. Do so and print two copies, in case you make a mistake, or if you wish to have a copy for your records. Fill it out. It pays to print clearly in block letters. Don’t worry about ID photos or fingerprints, you can do that at the DFA.

Last thing before you leave your computer, you will find another box on the screen which asks if you wish to ask for an appointment. I strongly advise that you do, for this is the key to speeding up the process. DFA processes only 100 passports a day. This appointment arranged online allows you to go direct to a special window and process your documents in about 5 minutes. The nasty alternative is to wait in the hot sun on a line of some 400 people just to get in the building and all lines after that are desperately long. Once you submit your request for appointment, you immediately receive an automated reply saying your request has been received and an appointment slot will be emailed to you in 24 hours.

Second, go to DFA. On your appointed day, I urge you to go a little early, say 15 minutes. If lines are short, the agent may take you right away. If you are very late, and lines are long, you may be asked to submit another request for appointment. So be on time.

I arrived at the front door of DFA and was told, the passport service was one block the right and left on the next block bringing me almost directly to the back of DFA. On the way, there were several makeshift stands for ID photos and fingerprinting. I did both for about 180 pesos.

I was told to pass Gate 3, where hundreds were lined up in hot sun waiting to get into the building, and proceed to Gate 2. There I showed my appointment paper and was politely ushered into a large room with some 30 windows, each with ten to twenty people waiting. I went to my appointed window, number 28, where only 5 people were waiting. I also saw that window 29 had only 3 people waiting and that this was a special window for senior citizens, but processing here was very slow, either because of lack of papers or some seniors were hard of hearing and everything was repeated several times.

At window 28, processing was very fast, averaging 4 minutes per person. I gave my old passport and application form. The data on the form was checked against the old passport and it was punched, cancelled, and given back to me. The agent asked the photocopies of dated stamps of entry and my birth certificate. She asked if I wanted the regular service delay of two weeks for 950 pesos, or fast service of one week for 1250 pesos. Given all the holidays in December, I asked for rapid service. Outside the holiday season delay times could be as short 3 days.

She then gave me my application and the bill for 1250 pesos and said, on leaving the room turn right and pay at the counter, then go up one floor for enrolment. I paid and went upstairs for enrolment, where only one person was ahead of me. I sat down and tried to look ‘handsome,’ as my digital photo was being taken and inserted into my new passport. I stuck out my thumbs for an electronic scan and these too were inserted on the passport, I then signed on a digital pad and that too went into the passport. Theoretically, my passport was digitally composed on the spot. It would then take DFA a week to verify the information and have it signed by a consular officer. Perhaps DFA should look into digitizing that process too!

All in all, the whole process took me 40 minutes, and no waiting in the sun or on long lines. DFA staff were courteous, very clear and efficient. I was even able to have LBC pick up my passport on the day it would be ready and have it delivered to my residence in 24 hours. This cost me 100 pesos, but saves me 400 pesos in taxi and half a day in traffic.

So, for an e-passport, do try the e-method.