Women can now revert to maiden names on Philippine passports
Big news for Filipina passport holders!
The new Philippine Passport Act is empowering women with the option to reclaim their maiden names after marriage. Now, the Department of Foreign Affairs is making it official: when you renew your passport, you can choose to revert, provided the requirements are met.
On Friday, March 21, the DFA—Office of Consular Affairs announced that renewals now offer this option.
"For a woman who wishes to revert to the use of her maiden name, a duly authenticated birth certificate by the PSA: Provided, That she can only revert to her maiden name once and all her other existing identification cards and pertinent documents shall likewise reflect her maiden name," Section 5 (f) of the New Philippine Passport Act stated.
This means Filipino women have the legal right to use their maiden name on their passports. However, this is a one-time change. Once made, it must be reflected across all their official identification documents.
Requirements and conditions
Apart from the reasons stated above, applicants who wish to revert to their maiden names must prepare the following:
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth;
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage or PSA Report of Marriage;
- Notarized Affidavit of Explanation that includes a request for the reversion of maiden name in the Philippine passport or travel document and stating that the applicant has not hitherto availed of the reversion;
- Latest-issued Philippine passport or travel document;
- Any valid and existing Government-issued ID accepted for passport application, reflecting the maiden name of the passport applicant.
In cases where a married woman wishes to reclaim her maiden name on her passport, as a result of annulment, declaration of nullity, legal separation, foreign divorce, or widowhood, specific documents are required for processing.
Aside from providing their latest Philippine passport (if available) and a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth, the required marriage-related documents differ based on the reason for a name change.
For those whose spouse has passed away, an original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Death Certificate (or a foreign equivalent with English translation) is needed.
But if the marriage ended through annulment, declaration of nullity, legal separation, or a judicially recognized divorce (foreign or under PD No. 1083), an original and photocopy of the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate with the annotation reflecting the marriage's dissolution is required
The OCA said the applicants should use the prescribed affidavit template, which is available on their website.
"A duly notarized affidavit will also be accepted, provided it clearly states the applicant’s reason for reverting to her maiden name and confirms compliance with all documentary requirements," OCA said.
Furthermore, the consular affairs office clarified that a married woman who has previously adopted her husband's surname on her passport or travel document is permitted to revert to her maiden name only once, and only after the dissolution of their marriage.
