Being Pregnant Does Not Make You An Eligible DFA Walk-In Applicant Right Away

Did you know that pregnancy is not an excuse for you to show-up without an appointment in DFA? Read our first hand experience to find out more!

Purpose of my DFA Visit

I am a hands on wife and mom for 2 and a half years now. Clearly, I don't have that much Identification Cards available like a company ID.

Anyway. Upon submitting my Maternity Notification Form to SSS Calamba, they advised me to prepare the hospital documents together with 2 valid ID's in order to claim my Mat Benefit.

Dillema

I only have 3 IDs.

Postal ID
PhilHealth
And Passport

Quennie, you're not paying attention! Again, as per SSS you only need TWO!

Well, here's the thing. Amongst the 3, the only valid ID I have is Postal (in my case). Why? PhilHealth has my married name on it but is not accepted as a valid gov't ID. Passport is non expiring until 2019 but still has my maiden name on it. What SSS needs are two valid + non expiry Gov't IDs with exactly the same name. Left with no choice, I have to get another ID with a

(1) fast Turn Around Time

(2) longer validity para di masayang ang fees and effort sa pagpila.

Hmmm. PASSPORT!

When did I request for a renewal of passport

January 2017. I was 8 months pregnant or 35 weeks pregnant to be exact. Very preggy na itsura so to speak.

Catch!

I came to DFA Alabang as a walk-in applicant - thinking that I can do so since I am pregnant. Pero that's not the case pala! Please note that this is just in DFA Alabang. Not sure if the same goes for the other DFA branches.

So yun nga. With the baby bump plus the maternity dress and all, they still asked me for any proof that I am (ahem) preggy. Hahaha! Don't get me wrong. This is totally fine with me and no issue at all. Comedy lang yung dating kasi sobrang laki na ng tyan ko pero need ko parin ng proof. Ending, I don't have any docs to show. [Sigh]

What to do?

It is such a relief that the front desk officers are very accommodating. They just asked me to

(1) fill up the form

(2) prepare all the docs for the renewal

(3) and write a letter requesting for assistance as a pregnant walk-in applicant

Requirements for Change of Status and Change of Last name:

Original copy of Marriage Certificate issued by NSO (to be surrendered / submitted to DFA)
Old passport (not yet to be surrendered)
For walk-in applicants: Any proof that you are pregnant like medical certificate, ultrasound, OB records, or lab tests
Letter Of Intent (request for assistance even without appointment)
Photocopy of old Passport (to be surrendered)

What to bring when claiming the NEW passport?

Old passport (to be surrendered)
Claim slip / stub
IMPORTANT! Any medical proof of pregnancy. YES! Apparently, you still need to show this to them.

Important Reminders on the releasing of Passport

Only immediate family members (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, and children of legal age) are allowed to claim the passport on behalf of the applicant
Immediate family members can claim the passport only if they can present an authorization letter and valid IDs (with photocopy) of the applicant AND the representative.
Passport of a minor applicant shall be released to parents only (NSO Marriage certificate is required if father will claim the minor's passport) OR to an authorized representative with Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support and Consent.

How long is the entire process?

We arrived at 3 PM. Thanks to the priority lane, we're done in 30 mins.

Turn Around Time (TAT) to claim the Passport