The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday it would limit the allowed daily applicants for passports via courtesy lane or walk-ins and apostille or document authentication for OFWs at its offices to prevent long queues.
DFA Aseana, one of the country's largest passport processing centers, will accomodate 300 walk-in applicants for passports and 300 applicants for apostille daily, said acting Asec. Kit de Jesus.
The DFA had clamed misinformation from recruiters for the long lines at Aseana that run up to the hundreds.
Apostille is a certificate that authenticates a public document's origin and is a requirement for all Philippine documents to be used in countries party to the Apostille Convention. With an apostille, there's no need for authentication from foreign embassies or consulates in the Filipino traveler's destination.
"Simula kahapon hanggang ngayon po nag-normalize na po ang ating pila. In-announce namin 300 ang walk-in para sa apostille services at 300 din ang walk-in courtesy lane para sa passport po," he told TeleRadyo.
Walk-in services are offered from Mondays to Fridays within the operating hours of the DFA offices. Applicants may also schedule an appointment for apostille services and passport applications online, he said.
READ: Walk-in Passport Applications are Available, Who are Qualified?
"Hindi na po kailangan pumunta sa DFA Aseana sa dis-oras ng gabi, kagaya nung misinformation na kumalat noong isang gabi... Meron din po tayong dedicated din na consular offices kung saan maaari din mag-apply for apostille service," De Jesus said.
Aside from the Aseana branch, apostille services may also be availed at these consular offices:
- NCR Northeast (Alimall, Cubao) - 80 applicants
- NCR West (SM Manila) - 150 applicants
- NCR East (SM Megamall) - 100 applicants
- NCR South (Metro Gaisano, Alabang) - 150 applicants
- Pampanga - 80 applicants
- Cebu - 100 applicants
- Iloilo - 60 applicants
- Davao - 90 applicants
- Cagayan de Oro - 37 applicants
- La Union - 50 applicants
For those who want to secure an appointment for apostille services, here's your guide:
1. Create an account here.
2. Fill out the form and check your inbox, spam, or other folders to view the account verification link.
3. Activate the account by confirming the e-mail sent by the DFA.
4. Once confimed and activated, log in to the website.
5. Select the type of applicant and the number of appliacants.
6. Fill out the form.
7. Add the documents to be apostillized by selecting the type of document and indicating the number of documents to be processed.
8. Select the appointment date and time. Available slots are in blue, while full slots or unavailable dates are in red.
9. Generate the appointment letter. Check your inbox, spam, and other folders to view the appointment letter.
10. Read and print all attachments, and present them at the appointment verification counter on your scheduled appointment.
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