Other documents during the pandemic

We took advantage of the pandemic. I am saying this because if the situation was normal and we were not working from home, we would have found it difficult to file a leave of absence just to get our documents. 

While lining up for our passports, we realized that JE's passport will also expire in 2022. A long time away but we know that the visa that will be issued will depend on the validity of the passport. We don't want to take the risk. 

Fortunately, we got a slot and renewed her passport the following month. Her appointment fell before the Holy Week, a day before another lockdown was implemented. Whew! At least, all of us now got our 10-year passports except for JE who got five-years 

Another set of documents that we secured were PSA copies of our birth certificates, and civil status/marriage certificate. We opted to line up at the Starmall Alabang to be sure that we get it immediately. Also, it is cheaper than requesting online via the serbilis site. It was a long queue though. We lined up at 6 am and finished at lunchtime. The PSA serbilis was more convenient. We also availed of its service later on for my mom and it took a week for her documents to arrive. 

Lastly, we secured NBI clearances. We applied online and paid via gcash. We chose to have our appointment at Robinson's Galleria. Again the line was long. I had a hit because someone else had the same name as me but I went back after a week and was able to secure mine. 

Three sets of documents were secured during the first five months of the year. 

We had to be quick in securing all the schedules. So I suggest, even though the appointment will happen one or two months after, grab the earliest schedule you can get. That day will soon arrive. 

Just one step at a time. 

Getting a passport for our baby

First things first. I read somewhere that infants do not require passport application appointments.

Baby E is already 5 months old. Somehow I want things to be easier for us and i figured, why not apply for her now? Anyway, she would have the passport for 5 years.  

The problem is I still do not have her birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority paper (PSA, formerly NSO). I only have her original birth certificate registered with the local municipality and a certified true copy (CTC).

 

Anyway, that Saturday, we went to the Department of Foreign Affairs satellite office at the 4^th floor of Metro Mall Alabang. When they saw that we have a baby (who was soundly asleep in her stroller), they were very friendly and directed me to the information table. I showed the officer my CTC and he said that I need to have it authenticated first at PSA. 

The PSA office is located at the 3^rd floor of Star Mall Alabang, beside NBI. Too bad, it was almost 5 pm at the time so we decided we will go there the following weekend. 

Come Saturday, we went to Star Mall at around 9:30. I mentioned that I will have a  birth certificate authenticated. The guy at the entrance gave me a slip of paper where I will fill out the name of the of the owner of the document. 

Then off to the cashier. I need to pay Php75.00/copy. Since I only have one CTC with me, I could only request one copy. A photocopy of the CTC does not count hahaha. (Sayang ang marami kong pina-photocopy). But when asked, he mentioned that the next window can check if the PSA copy is available.

So off to the next window (5 or 6). When my turn came, I inquired and the lady said that it is already available. When I learned that, I asked I if I can have 2 documents prepared then. She said yes and I paid Php 140 each. But before giving me the slip, she mentioned that I need to go back to the first window to pay Php75.00 for the other copy, and go back to her to get my slip. So off I went. 

After paying, we waited. I noticed that people immediately get their PSA documents. A guy in another window calls out the name of the owner and you need to show a valid ID. I saw their advice that you can only pick up your own birth certificate or present an authorization letter. If it’s for a minor, only the parents. 

Anyway, I waited but it took them one hour and baby E’s name still has not been called. I inquired and the guy looked for it. Apparently, my slip was misplaced because I saw him checking the different documents on the desks. 

Anyway, after an hour, we were able to get Baby E’s PSA birth certificate! Whew. Should have been just 30 minutes, still not bad.

We just had some lunch and did some errands. At around 3 pm, we were already back at the DFA office. They have notices that minors are allowed one companion but they allowed me and my husband to come in. 

When the guard learned that the applicant was an infant, they immediately directed us to the verification with no line! Hooray. They wrote a big “INFANT” on the application form and we were immediately directed to the Processing line. Let me tell you that there was a long line at processing but the priority line they directed us to had only about 3 applicants. We were lining up together with the other minors and seniors. Hooray again!

The requirements we presented:

• Fully accomplished form. 
• Original PSA birth certificate
• Copy of mother’s passport
• Copy of marriage contract.

The girl said that it should be a PSA copy for the marriage contract too but I mentioned that I have not registered our marriage from abroad. She just asked to see the original (good thing I brought it), and then we were directed to the cashier. 

After payment, a queue of about 5 people, we were again directed to another line for the picture taking. By this time, I was already spoiled with all the fast lines that I think it took us a little longer. Haha

When it was our turn, the girl just asked if Baby E can already sit for a few moments while dad is holding her. So my husband crouched in front of her with the camera behind him. Using a stapler snapping to call her attention, the girl snapped away with the camera. Abilidad lang. 

When we were satisfied with her picture, we were informed that the mother should sign a child’s passport. We were informed that no biometrics would be given as she is an infant. After that, payment for the courier since we do not want to line up again for the pickup. Delivery would be in a week’s time. 

And just like that, a passport in one hour. 

Successful day! PSA and Passport accomplished. 

Now back to my maple research….

Notes:

As per last check, the following do not need to make an appointment:

 You can check the requirements for first time applicants here.