GETTING A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT FOR BABY

I have decided to start blogging about all the processing that we have been through thinking it might help someone out there who are in the same position as we had been a year ago. It will be a series of processing our documents until the time that we are able to fly and live here in the US, so to start it off here's the first one.

When my son William was 2months old we decided to get him a Philippine passport since we will be travelling outside the country anytime soon when our US visa will be approved. I'm sharing my experience with DFA and what had happened during the processing and hopefully help anyone that is in the same situation as I was before we came here in the US.

My son William was born May 4, 2012 after me and my husband got married on August 20, 2011. My husband by the way is an American Citizen so Liam will be benefiting the dual citizenship if we can claim and file a CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD (CRBA) which I will also be blogging about after this.

Here are the general requirements for the applying a Philippine passport for a minor child:

• Confirmed appointment (except for 1 year old and below)
• Personal appearance of the minor applicant
• Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is a legitimate child) / of mother (if minor is illegitimate child.
• Original Birth Certificate of minor in Security Papre issued by NSO or Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries by the NSO is required if minor was born abroad.
• Document of identity with photo, if minor is 8-17 years old (for first time and renewal applicant) such as School ID or Form 137 with readable dry seal
• For minor applicants who never attended school, a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation executed by either parent (if minor is legitimate child)/ by mother (if minor is an illegitimate child) detailing the reasons why the child is not in school
• Marriage Certificate of minor's parents duly authenticated by NSO
• Notarized Affidavit of Support and Consent to travel from either parent (if minor is a legitimate child) / from mother (if minor is an illegitimate child)
• Photocopy of valid passport of either parent (if minor is legitimate child) / of mother (if minor is and illegitimate child) or identification documents.

Since I was also changing the name on my old passport to my married name and my son was 2months old, I only brought his NSO birth certificate and NSO marriage license for his requirements and the DFA application form which can be found on there website www.dfa.gov.ph .I also brought with me my son's baptismal certificate and some pictures in case the consul asks me for somemore evidence that William is my son.

PROCESS (This application process was done in DFA Cebu Regional office located on fourth floor of Pacific Mall Mandaue)

1. We arrived around 9am since I already know before hand that having a minor applicant doesn't require you to be on a line with the regular applicant. Go right into the front desk of the DFA office, you have to tell them that you are applying for a minor's passport and they will asks for the documents so you have to have it ready, they will give you the DFA form if you didn't downloaded it and filled it up already. I would suggest to download the form and get it ready the night before going to the DFA so you don't take so much time in the front desk filling up the form.

2. They collected all the required documents from me along with the form and directed me to sit on the right side waiting area inside the DFA office and wait for your baby's name to be called by the consular officer for a brief interview. They have a special line for all the minor applicant so you don't have  to wait that long before you will be called. I had someone come along with me to hold my son during my application since having a child with you and processing things will be a bit hard. Some people say that its not advisable to bring someone along with you since the tendency would be they won't be allowed to go inside the DFA office but they let my companion come with me inside so its best to have someone with you anyway to hold the baby while you hold on to all your documents.

3.It only took like 15mins before the consular office called my son's name and then I have to come forward along with my son since they require to see the baby. He asks me some random questions like fill name of my son, birth date, wedding date and other random information found on the documents that you submitted.

4. After which he directed me to go to the cashier to pay for the processing fee for the Philippine passport.

For Regional Processing here is the fee:

Express Processing - Php 1200.00 (10 working days)

Normal Processing - Php 950.00 (20 working days)

For Manila Processing:

Express Processing - Php 1200.00 (7 working days)

Normal Processing - php 950.00 (20 working days)

I went in line for the cashier and then he asks me if I want the express processing or the normal processing. I choose the express processing, gave me my receipt and directed me to the information processing area.

5. We were told to wait for our name to be called again as we are being directed to sit in next to each applicant as in a line. When it was my turn they let me look at the monitor as they input your personal information on it and ask you if the spelling or the things they input is correct. After all your information is being input they ask you to go to the next cubicle where they will be taking a picture of your child.

6. They use a little table with a blue background so your baby have to lie down as they will attempt to take a good picture of your child. Gladly my son was very cooperative and only took us 2 tries to get his passport picture. You will then be directed to wait for your name to be called again for the final error checking.

7. Someone called our name and hand us a printed copy of what will be seen on the front page of the passport. Told us to review carefully for any errors and let them know if we see any so they can correct it before sending it to manila for passport printing.

NOTE: You will have to pay again for the processing fee when you receive your passport and there's an error on it so you have to make sure everything is correct while checking.

8. Finally if everything is correct you have to sign the paper put "mother" on the bottom for your child's paper and hand it back to them as they will be telling you to come back on the date that was printed on your receipt to get your passport or if you want it to be delivered to your home so you don't have to come back to DFA - Cebu especially for the people who are from the provincial area you are opted to head over to TO GO at the left side of the front area inside the DFA office to pay them some shipping fee, give them your receipt and they will deliver your passport right at your doorstep.

Sleeping for Beginners

It's important when fighting the transition to sleeping in a crib away from mom and dad to employ the following techniques in order to weasel yourself back into the bed.

Technique #1: Saddy Face Cry

Turn on the water works and copious amounts of bottom lip action.   When properly executed.   Saddy face should convey to mom and dad that this time is not a fake cry, but that you really really mean it this time.  Unfortunately this almost never works because mom and dad see right through the subterfuge.   That's why saddy face must always be combined with other techniques.

Technique #2: The Pacifier Drop.

The Pacifier Drop is a dangerous move. Especially if mom and dad are resolved not to be manipulated.   If performed poorly the Pacifier Drop could leave you without a pacifier for the whole night.  So execute this technique with care.  When your relentless screaming has caused your sleep deprived parents to crack their eyelids open to ensure you have not fallen out of your crib onto your head drop your pacifier on the floor for them to clearly see. This will force them to get out of bed and attempt to console you. 

Don't be fooled by their reassuring back pats they mean to abandon you the second you shut your mouth.

Technique #3: Fall to Your Death

If techniques 1 and 2 fail then the only option available is the kamikaze.  In most cases the panic sent directly to the adrenal gland will rocket your parents out of bed to catch you as you fall from your crib.  Again, this is true in "most" cases.

Sometimes merely the threat of kamikaze is enough to win your place back in bed between mom and dad. 

To threaten kamikaze stack your stuffed animals in a corner and pull yourself as far up onto the crib railing as possible.  Now lean out over the abiss.  (Note: For some reason this technique is most effective when acompanied by a sudden silence.)

More techniques to come.  Stay tuned.