Is driver's license a requirement for a passport?

[abcabcabc1234 0]

Hello.

I have a friend living in Tacloban who is trying to get a passport. The problem is that when she tried to get a passport she was told that she needs a driver's license? That doesn't sound right in my head...

Another friend of mine got a passport maybe 1-3 years ago, but she didn't need a driver's license? Though she got her passport in Manila. Is the requirements for a passport any different in Manila from Tacloban?

My friend trying to get a passport has the following documents in her disposal:

Birth Certificate

School ID

Voter's ID

There is one more thing that I can't remember right now, I'll update the post when I know, but it's a numbers something I think.

I'm unsure wether this site is the appropriate place to ask this, but to be honest I'm not sure where to go... If anyone can recommend another site, please speak. :-)

Any help is appreciated!

[marriedtomrg 141]

Here's a link to the Department of Foreign Affairs Document Requirements for First Time Philippine Passport Applicants

Your friend would need her NSO Birth Certificate, plus an original valid ID that indicates her name, date and place of birth, and citizenship. The SSS ID could would be great, but in absence of that, the DFA lists what other official IDs are acceptable (driver's license and voter's ID are also on that list...student IDs are accepted but your friend has to be currently enrolled in school for her school ID to be considered valid).

Kaye and Rick

Hello.

I have a friend living in Tacloban who is trying to get a passport. The problem is that when she tried to get a passport she was told that she needs a driver's license? That doesn't sound right in my head...

Another friend of mine got a passport maybe 1-3 years ago, but she didn't need a driver's license? Though she got her passport in Manila. Is the requirements for a passport any different in Manila from Tacloban?

My friend trying to get a passport has the following documents in her disposal:

Birth Certificate

School ID

Voter's ID

There is one more thing that I can't remember right now, I'll update the post when I know, but it's a numbers something I think.

I'm unsure wether this site is the appropriate place to ask this, but to be honest I'm not sure where to go... If anyone can recommend another site, please speak. :-)

Any help is appreciated!

Edited September 1, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[abcabcabc1234 0]

Thank you for your reply.

The dilemma seems to be that no one in the "passport office" knows the actual requirements. I'm not sure what to do about it, but I'd like to help my friend...

Here's a link to the Department of Foreign Affairs Document Requirements for First Time Philippine Passport Applicants

Your friend would need her NSO Birth Certificate, plus an original valid ID that indicates her name, date and place of birth, and citizenship. The SSS ID could would be great, but in absence of that, the DFA lists what other official IDs are acceptable (driver's license and voter's ID are also on that list...student IDs are accepted but your friend has to be currently enrolled in school for her school ID to be considered valid).

Kaye and Rick

[marriedtomrg 141]

Well that's weird

Is she applying directly at the DFA or through a travel agent?

Thank you for your reply.

The dilemma seems to be that no one in the "passport office" knows the actual requirements. I'm not sure what to do about it, but I'd like to help my friend...

[abcabcabc1234 0]

Directly at the DFA, and the reply that she got was that she needed a driver's license. She went with one of her friends who also needed a passport, and they both got the same answer.. I think I'll try to call the office tomorrow and have a little talk. :-)

Well that's weird

Is she applying directly at the DFA or through a travel agent?

[TravellingNomad 12]

OP what you can do is try to print out that link marriedtomrg posted and tell the local DFA office that you got it straight from their website.

[abcabcabc1234 0]

I asked this same question on another website, and I got a very interesting reply.

Yes you need a drivers license... I think it is more of DFA not wanting to send people out of the country who cant even get a DL....

(ie bargirls)

they give you a list of things... but they are looking for a DL...

just have your friend pay off the people when she takes the test for a DL...(she can find those people through the driving schools) just pay off those people too

and tell her to go through a travel agent... she is going to have trouble from now on....

there are some agents in AC near the DAU bus terminal that will charge 8000P to 12000P...

to get your friend a passport...

thats a deal considering the going rate is 30000P

on fields ave...

That actually does sound plausible, because I hear many different requirements from people. Some have even said you need 3 ID's...

So when you're standing in a position like this that surely is corrupt, what to do next? Would bringing a printed copy of the DFA website's requirements really be enough?

[marriedtomrg 141]

Instead of a DL, why not ask your friend to apply for a social security ID? I don't know the timelines, but back in Manila, their processing was backed up to 30 days because the computers they used to take your picture were down. She already has a Voter's ID, and that is another good ID to have.

Since you said nothing about her school ID I am guessing she is not currently enrolled?

With the government, sometimes you never can be sure about anything...it would be great to have a bunch of different IDs on hand so if they don't accept one, then you have others to present (but then that's me being OC...lol)

Also the person you cited here started one of their sentences with "I think..." That tells me they don't know what the heck they're talking about (sounded like they were trying to rationalize an irrational system). lol Anyone should be able to get a passport provided all documents are in order --- regardless of their occupation.

Mind if I ask what your friend does and how old she is?

I asked this same question on another website, and I got a very interesting reply.

That actually does sound plausible, because I hear many different requirements from people. Some have even said you need 3 ID's...

So when you're standing in a position like this that surely is corrupt, what to do next? Would bringing a printed copy of the DFA website's requirements really be enough?

[abcabcabc1234 0]

Okay, perhaps they're not being corrupt.. I don't know what to think..

Well I'll tell her what you told me, and wait to see what happens. Just have to be patient I guess. :-)

She's 21 and unemployed at the moment.

Thank you for your help. :-)

Instead of a DL, why not ask your friend to apply for a social security ID? I don't know the timelines, but back in Manila, their processing was backed up to 30 days because the computers they used to take your picture were down. She already has a Voter's ID, and that is another good ID to have.

Since you said nothing about her school ID I am guessing she is not currently enrolled?

With the government, sometimes you never can be sure about anything...it would be great to have a bunch of different IDs on hand so if they don't accept one, then you have others to present (but then that's me being OC...lol)

Also the person you cited here started one of their sentences with "I think..." That tells me they don't know what the heck they're talking about (sounded like they were trying to rationalize an irrational system). lol Anyone should be able to get a passport provided all documents are in order --- regardless of their occupation.

Mind if I ask what your friend does and how old she is?

[TravellingNomad 12]

yeah don't think that response you posted as etched in stone. he's saying that it may cost Php8K - Php30K to pay off someone?!?!...that's freakin' crazy! it'll be a lot cheaper for your friend to just go to DFA main in Manila and apply there.