Requiring IDs can be a pain in the ass. But here’s something to be happy about: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) no longer requires birth certificates to those renewing their passports.

According to DFA’s Department Order No. 03-2019, the absence of a birth certificate isn’t deal-breaker anymore “except for the first-time applications, applications for lost and mutilated passports, those requiring changes in the passport entries, old brown and green passports bearing no complete middle names, and applicants including in the Department’s Watchlist.”

Now, that’s one less requirement and paper off your folder. There are now only two documents required to renew your passport: a duly accomplished application form and the old passport (unless there’s a change in the status of the applicant like marriage, dual citizenship or a change in passport entries like a correction or update in the surname).

For more information about passport application, check out the DFA’s frequently asked questions page here.

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