Online renewal of passport -- can I trust them? are they worth it?
By oyenkai
@oyenkai (4394)
Philippines
June 7, 2009 8:12pm CST
There are several agencies offering renewal of passport services. You pay them for the processing fee (cheapest I've seen online is Php1,300, which is Php800 for the services and then Php500 for the actual DFA passport renewal fee), they pick up your documents; you schedule your DFA appearance (required to acquire the new, electronic readable passports) which would take less than 30 minutes of your time, then you wait again for 14 days (for regular processing) until they deliver your new passport with your old one at your door step.
I know someone who has paid for such service and didn't get any problems with it, I'm still skeptic though. It's *my*/*your* passport and is there any good possibility that one of their carriers/messengers would runaway with it? It would prove too much of a hassle if that were to happen!
Have you tried the pick-up deliver/online renewal of passport services? Please do share your experience.
If you've taken care of your passport renewal yourself, how was it?
3 people like this
14 responses
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
me and my wife tried that already and yes it is worth it. we dont have to go to DFA and wait inline. all we do is call and they do the rest. when you call they will ask for the information then you will wait for their mesenger to knock on your door. he will hand you the form where are the details are stated and all you need to do is to sign and give pictures. if it is renewal you will still need to hand the old passport. after two weeks i guess they will deliver it i dont needto go to DFA and line there all i have to do is sit and wait. i did that on line twice already. my wife also tried it once. so i can assure you that it is safe.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
1 Jul 09
sorry for the late response, my internet connection is busted and until now its under repair i am just using dial up. i dont go to any agency i only trust the DFA hotline. 7371000 that is DFA's hotline. one of my aunt works at DFA and she is the one who gave us that number and me and my wife used it already. i think it cost a thousand pesos cant remember clearly for it was two years ago when i used it. they will tell you what documents you need to ready and they will only go to your house when you are paid at the bank already. it is safe for you will pay at the bank and you will have a proof of payment so no need to worry.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
8 Jun 09
HI, well in America has different system and if you want to renew passport then you have to go to government website or post office to apply for one. I dont really trust agency cuz sometime they steal your person information and actually it costs me to hire agent to do that paper work for me. but if I go to post office then all i have to pay is the passport fee only.
1 person likes this
@bluishrose (2289)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I didn't have any probles when I renewed my passport online. It was fast and on time as I expected.Its better to do it online rather than spending almost whole day at DFA when you can you can do something else important. I think they are liable if ever your passport will be lost. Its safe on my opinion.
1 person likes this
@pulangpluma (334)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I have been using legitimate travel agencies to process my passport. So far I have not encountered any problem. But if you feel uneasy about having someone carry your document as there is always a chance (regardless how slim) that that person may lose it, you can do it but be ready to face A CROWD.
1 person likes this
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Haven't you tried to ask how much for the a replacement for a lost passport to that agency? That is to give me an idea how much to owe them? I really got a tight pocket right now.
@zzyw87 (1254)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Yes, there are lots of travel agencies that are trustworthy in their passport renewal services.My relatives also own a travel agency. Lots of customers renew their passports in our travel agency because of our low price which is only 900 pesos for regular processing. But you will have to personally go to our office to fill up the application forms, give the required documents, etc. So far, none of our messengers have run away with all the passports. Our messengers have been with us for a decade or so already.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Hi Oyenkai. Yes, I have tried the DFA passport renewal service.
And I certainly believe that it is very convenient. For one, you
don't have to line up at their office waiting for long hours just
to be attended to. All you need to do is call them, and they will
ask you certain questions about yourself and the other requirements
needed like the passport-size picture, your old passport and of course,
the payment.Then after a week or so, they will deliver you your new
passport and will give you back your old passport. As for the fee,
am not sure as to how much they charge now.
Thanks and yes the service is worth it.
1 person likes this
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Great having it directly form DFA, though I am far from the main office to be doing that and having to fall in line. That is one advantage for filing it online.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I have tried the NSO delivery service and so far it has worked fine with me too. The thing that everyone should be aware of is that the one applying should be able to fill the application properly on the website and you can even monitor its status. As for the Passport I haven't tried it yet although we are contemplating on applying for it in the near future. I think the one that handles the NSO and the one that is handling now the passport delivery is one and the same, so I presume they would delivery same kind of service to us.
1 person likes this
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I see I would also try to retrieve my birth certificate out there if I could have the time.
@healer (1779)
• India
8 Jun 09
I have never applied online renewal of passport because there are many fake systems running here in our country and i don't want to take the risk. It depends on the country and place you are in, if you are going to apply online you should better look at their forums or console the customers about their reputations. Here in India there are many who are caught trying to cheat people and still many are victims. Better enquire about them for the safer side before you apply. Wish you luck
1 person likes this
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
i have used the services of my former company's travel agency to do my passport renewal before as well as my mom and other relatives. i used this travel agency because they already have a good track record with my previous company. even if their services were a bit expensive, but take into account the less hassles, effort and time involved if i would personally do it... it was worth it for me. also, i didn't have available time to do it myself anyway.
just make sure that when you engage a service provider, select one that you can trust and has a good track record already. and prepare all the documents needed as well.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I have not tried it since my passport is due to expire in 2011. But two friends of mine have done it and they are very satisfied with the program. I think it is very reliable considering that my friends never had any problem with it. I guess, I will be renewing mine later on through online. Though you will have to add a little extra on the payment, but going through with those long lines and waiting time, the extra money you pay is very much worth it.
@mapuang (612)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
i get my passport through online. yes its true that you only show in DFA for less than 5 minutes (depends of the people there). and aside from that you can choose the day you want to appear. i will say its good because i received my passport on time.
@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
1 Jul 09
My husband's whole family had applied from the same online service... and it turned out well... I'm just waiting for a few documents and I'll try it myself. The service has been there for a year now, you don't need to worry about anything, I'm sure they have prepared all the necessary precautions regarding this matter.
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Oh how about replacement, I have lost my passport for some job application last May. I went back to the place and come to search for it but none to my dis appointment. I wasn't suer if how much would it cost?
1 person likes this
@zeusdhi (63)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Actually i have heard many people say that they wanted to have their passport renewed online and they are asking me if they can do that. Because for them they are so busy in their work that they have no time to go to the office to renew their passport. But for me i have not really tried it thought. And me myself don't have a passport so i have not really tried it myself.
