Monday, May 21, 2012

Officially changing my surname

Last Thursday, I went to Philippine Embassy in Singapore to apply for my e-passport and at the same time amend my surname to my hubby's surname. In 4 weeks, I'll be officially Mrs. Ferrera! :)

I was patiently waiting for my turn, and when they called my number, I told them that I am also changing my surname in passport. Then they told me that there was a separate procedure for amending my (green) passport particulars (Fee-S$34.00) which takes 3 days to process.

What?!?! Somehow my pregnancy hormones instantly made me feel so upset. But I tried to control my anger, and begged them to let me finish everything now because I'm pregnant. Huh! Luckily, this kind embassy officer told me to pay the cashier S$ 50.00 for expedite process. Whew! Then after that I can queue for my e-passport application.

You can find the requirements for e-passport application here and passport particulars amendment here.

If you still have the green passport and you need to amend your passport particulars and you don't have the pregnancy excuse like me, you will need to spare one more day for the passport amendment before you can apply for your e-passport. Once you have all the requirements ready, you need to submit via email to passport-appointment@philippine-embassy.org.sg for the e-passport appointment. You will receive your appointment slip in a few days.

If your appointment is @ 2pm, then it's better if you arrive around 1:30pm because once you enter the embassy the guard will give you a number. I arrived around 1:45pm and I was number 9, meaning there were 8 people (with the same appointment time) ahead of me.

Wait for your number to be called, then you will proceed to the e-passport encoding room. Remember to photocopy all the original documents like e-passport appointment slip, passport, employment pass and e-passport application form. An embassy officer will encode your particulars and take a photo for the e-passport. After that, you will be given a date to collect your passport and you will need to pay S$102.00.

The whole procedure for e-passport approximately takes 1 hour! Thank God the procedure is much more efficient now. :)

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