How do I renew my Philippine passport in California?
It is not possible to renew your Philippine passports via mail. You can also apply online. You must appear in person at the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) if you are visiting the United States. This rule applies to all passport holders, regardless of their age. Children are required to attend the application meeting.
It will make the process as simple as possible. Make sure you have all of your supporting documents together so that they can be inspected by consular staff. These are some examples of the types of documents you may need:
- Birth certificate
- Adoption records
- Photo ID
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Name change decrees
- Death certificates for widowed applicants
- Your old passport that is soon to expire or has expired.
Also, remember to bring high-quality photocopies for all supporting documents to the consulate. Although copy services are available in the vicinity, consulate cannot make copies. You will need to bring your own pen in blue or black ink. Please bring cash if you are paying by cash.
Where can I renew my Philippine passport in California?
The Republic of the Philippines also has 12 Philippine Consulates General in the United States. You must visit either Los Angeles or San Francisco consulates to renew your Philippine passport.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County has the Consulate General of Philippines in Los Angeles. It has consular jurisdiction over Southern California, including Orange County, San Diego and San Bernardino. Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. It has consular jurisdiction in Southern Nevada (Clark County and Lincoln County, Nye County) and Arizona (all Counties).
You must visit the Consulate General in Los Angeles if you reside in one of these countries. The address of the office is 3435 Wilshire Blvd #550 Los Angeles, CA 90101, USA.
Note that the Los Angeles consulate had previously jurisdiction over Texas, New Mexico and other states. However, this is no longer true. The Consulate General for the Philippines in Houston has reopened as of 2018. It handles New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
San Francisco
The Consulate General Philippines in San Francisco has consular jurisdiction over Northern California (including Fresno and Napa, Oaklands, Palo Alto. Pittsburg. Sacramento. San Jose. San Mateo. Stockton. Union City. And Vallejo).
It also has consular jurisdiction in Northern Nevada (including Carson, Churchill and Douglas, Douglas, Elko. Esmeralda. Eureka. Humboldt. Lander. Lyon, Mineral. Pershing. Reno, Storey. Washoe.
The San Francisco consulate also has jurisdiction in the following states: Alaska, Colorado and Idaho, Montana, Oregon. Utah, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. If you reside in these states, it is important to plan your trip to San Francisco to visit the Consulate General for the Philippines. The address of the office is at 447 Sutter St. San Francisco, CA 941108, USA.
Outreach programs
You might be able to come to the consulate even if you are unable to go. Both consulates have outreach programs that you might be eligible to use. View their schedule and then make an appointment. Consular staff travel to different cities in their jurisdiction and handle renewals and passports.
These outreach events are often scheduled in irregular ways and fill up quickly. These outreach events are intended for people who have difficulty traveling to California, such nursing home residents. These are not house visits, however. You must appear at their pop up office location.
Philippine passport renewal: requirements
Here are some things you should remember after making an appointment at one of the PCG locations located in California.
Passport photos
You are not allowed to take your passport photos. The consulate will take your passport photo.
You should dress casually but professionally for the close-up. You will need to take off any facial piercings before you can use the photo. Also, you will need to remove your glasses.
How much will you pay?
60 dollars per passport application. Cash is accepted, but the consulate will not accept change. You should bring the exact amount. You can also bring a cashier’s check or a postal money order. However, they will not accept personal checks or travelers checks. They will not accept credit cards or debit card.
How do you get your passport?
Your passport will then be mailed to your address. There is no other way to obtain your passport at this point. It is your responsibility to provide your own mail supplies. You can bring a stamped, self addressed envelope from the U.S. postal system (express or prior mail) or from a private courier company like FedEx.
Start early
You should check the expiration date of your passport and start the renewal process six to nine month before it expires. Many Filipinos who work abroad choose to renew their passports while they are on extended vacation in the Philippines. This is not always possible because passport processing can take six to 12 weeks. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco make great cities.
FAQ
Let's answer the most important questions about renewing Philippine passports in California to make sure that we don't miss anything.
Where can I get a copy of the Republic of the Philippines Passport Application Form?
You can download the form online as a PDF. It is possible to print the form and fill in with a blue pen or black pen. Or, you can download it online and fill in your information before printing it. This will ensure that anyone can read what you write.
Do you need to make an appointment or can you just walk in?
Every applicant must book an appointment with the Consulate in Los Angeles to obtain a passport. Although the PCG in San Francisco is open to walk-ins, their capacity may be limited. The applicant will be on the safe side if they make an appointment.
Can I renew my Philippine passport online?
No. No. Philippine applicants cannot renew their passports in person at a Consulate in Los Angeles or San Francisco. You can also renew your Philippine passport online if you reside in another state.
How much does it cost to renew a Philippine passport?
For renewal of a Philippine passport, the cost is $60 (sixty-five dollars). The fee must be paid in cash or money order. It is better to know the exact amount required for your passport appointment.
Summary
Only the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles and San Francisco can renew passports for applicants from Philippines. Keep the application form with you, along with any supporting documents. Additional information is available on the Philippine Consulate websites.