Passport Renewal

[john_and_marlene 162]

Marlene's passport expires next year. We are planning on going to Chicago (because that's the consulate for Oklahoma) in September to renew her passport and get the machine readable passport. We still haven't done the report of marriage or passport amendment yet, so we want to get that all done at the same time.

Has anyone else been to Chicago to get the new machine-readable passport? What was the experience like? Can we pick up the new passport while we are there if we stay a few days or does it take longer? Do we need to take anything other than our marriage certificate and her old passport? Will I be allowed to go inside with her?

[LOSTGURL--SOPHIA 2]

http://www.chicagopcg.com/

Machine Readable Passports

NOTICE ON PASSPORT APPLICATIONS

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHICAGO TO ISSUE

MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS

IN JUNE 2008

The Philippine Consulate General Chicago would like to inform Filipinos in its consular jurisdiction that effective Monday, 2 June 2008, applications for the new Machine Readable Passports (MRP) will be processed by the Consulate. The new MRPs will provide improved security features at no additional cost. The new MRP will still cost US$50.00.

A Machine Readable Passport (MRP) is a passport where the personal details of the applicant is printed in such a way that it can be read by the naked eye and at the same time, it contains a “machine readable zone” containing the personal data of the passport holder that can be read by a machine or computer.

The MRP allows faster entry and exit of the traveler at airports, as the data and biometrics in the MRP can be read by a machine and stored automatically in the database of immigration officers. This means greater convenience and security for traveler.

The new MRP, which is maroon in color, consists of 44 pages. The data in the MRP is now fully printed. The MRP has superior security features compared to the old green passports, which virtually eliminates the possibility of identity theft and acts of fraud.

Only the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila prints the MRP. Applications received by the Consulate General will be sent to DFA via diplomatic pouch. In view of the transit time, it will now take SIX (6) WEEKS for a passport to be released to the applicant, from the time the application is processed.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE IS REQUIRED. All applicants, whether for the renewal of a passport, or those applying for the first time must appear personally at the Consulate General for data verification, thumb mark/finger-printing and signing of the application form. Application by mail will not be accepted.

Current holders of valid Philippine passports (green passport that has not expired), need not worry as the green passports will still be honored as a bonafide travel document issued by the Government of the Philippines until its date of expiry, even after the roll out of the new machine readable passports.

NEW PHOTO REQUIREMENTS for the MRP are the following:

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Background – Royal Blue.

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Recent Photo (photo should have been taken within the last 6 months

Photograph should be printed on good quality photo paper with matte finish

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Size – 4.5 cm. (height) X 3.5 cm (width)

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Pose – image of the applicant is 70-80% of the photograph

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straight frontal shot (no titling of head)

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“medium” smile is allowed

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collared shirt / decent attire

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both ears visible

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prescription eye-glasses allowed, provided there is no glare

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head scarf / veil for religious or health reasons allowed

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Cropping- there should be at least 8mm to 10mm space at the top of the photo between the edge of the photo and the crown/head of the person, to allow for cropping of the photo.

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Photos can be rejected for the following reasons :

Distorted image – head is tilted or smile is too wide

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Women – excessive make-up, earrings

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Men – wearing make-up and earrings

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Colored contact lenses

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Use of headgear other than scarf/veil for religious or health reasons

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Use of dark eyeglasses / shades

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Photos with “red-eye” effect

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Dirty photos / poor quality photo (washed out image / unnatural skin tone)

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Digitally altered / graphically taken photos (squares or pixels appear on photo)

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Blurred photo

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Wrong color background

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Applicant does not look directly to the camera (exception: applicant has a medical/physical condition)

For other inquiries on the Machine Readable Passport, please contact Vice-Consul Roberto T. Bernardo, Mr. Antonio M. Allam, Jr., or Ms. Rosenia L. Centeno at (312) 332-6458, or visit the Consulate’s website at www.chicagopcg.com.

Please check the website of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs at www.dfa.gov.ph for the latest information regarding the Philippine Machine Readable Passport. >> HOPE THIS HELPS A BIT (F)

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

I got my machine readable passport after six weeks in the mail. Husband and I did the report of marriage and passport renewal at the same time. We were told to wait 6 weeks for my new passport. They were right.