The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned the public on Tuesday against seeking passport appointments assistance in social media chat groups and from unknown individuals offering passport appointment services online.
The DFA Office of Consular Affairs said they received reports from passport applicants who booked passport appointments from unknown individuals, which they ended up paying more and received tampered application forms and incorrect instructions.
The department said applicants who made appointment with a third party and doubtful of the authenticity of their application, may call and verify the appointments on its hotline number at 8234 – 3488.
“Applications that were made through a third party will be accepted for processing only after the appointment and the identity of the applicant has been verified, and processing will only be done at the Consular Office where the appointment was made,” the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA reminded the public that passport appointments can be booked directly through https://passport.gov.ph.
The DFA said that applicants are advised to use their own email address and mobile number to ensure that they receive the correct information on their appointment schedule.
“While passport appointment slots may be limited due to the reduced number of persons allowed in consular premises following social distancing protocols, applicants with urgent travel requirements, such as OFWs, may email [email protected] for accommodation in DFA Aseana, or at the nearest Consular Office by sending an appointment request by email to the concerned office directly,” the department said.
The full list of our Consular Offices and their contact details may be found on the department’s website at https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/directory#COS.