The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco estimates that more than 600,000 Philippine nationals live in northern California. If you’re one of them and are a resident in the San Jose area, renewing your passport is a straightforward process. All the forms you need are available online, and while you must submit the application in person, you can do so at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, so there’s no need for a lengthy cross-country journey to the embassy in Washington, D.C.
Fill Out the Form
The Philippine government uses the same form for first passports as it does for passport renewals. You can download an electronic copy from the Embassy website (philippineembassy-usa.org). The simple form asks for basic information about you, such as your full name, date of birth and contact details. Complete it fully using either blue or black ink, ensuring you write your current passport number in the relevant section.
Take Supporting Documentation
All applicants for a passport renewal should take their current passport and green card along with a pre-paid self-addressed envelope to the Consulate in San Francisco. If your current passport is the brown version, you’ll need a photocopy of pages 1 through 3 of the passport, along with a photocopy of an ID showing your middle name spelled out in full, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate. Alternatively, if you currently hold a green passport, you should take a photocopy of page 1 of that passport.
In-Person Submission
Regulations require submitting your application in person at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco. The Consulate, located on the 6th floor of the building at 447 Sutter Street, is open between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but closes on both Philippine and United States designated holidays. There’s no need to make an appointment in advance. Consulate staffers will take your fingerprint and photograph and will also witness your signature on the application.
Fee Payment
The Consulate accepts payment for your passport application by bank draft, certified check, cashier’s check, money order or cash. Neither credit cards nor personal checks are accepted. Check the consulate website for the current fee. Although the Consulate accepts and dispatches your application, processing takes place in the Philippines capital, Manila, so you can expect a wait of at least six weeks to receive your new passport. For this reason, the Philippine government advises starting the process around six months before your passport’s expiration date.
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