The Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) has announced that married women renewing their passports can now choose to revert to their maiden names once, under the New Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 11983).

Key Points of the New Act

Voluntary Reversion to Maiden Name:

• Married women can revert to their maiden names when renewing their passports.
• This change can only be made once.
• All other identification cards and documents must also reflect the maiden name.

How to Apply for Reversion

General Requirements:

1. PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth: Original and photocopy.
2. PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage: Original and photocopy.
3. Notarized Affidavit of Explanation: Requesting the reversion and confirming it hasn’t been done before.
4. Latest-issued Philippine passport or travel document.
5. Any valid government-issued ID reflecting the maiden name.

Specific Situations:

1. Death of Spouse:
   • PSA-issued Certificate of Death: Original and photocopy.
   • PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth: Original and photocopy.
   • Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available).
2. Annulment, Legal Separation, Divorce:
   • PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage with annotation of nullity or dissolution: Original and photocopy.
   • PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth: Original and photocopy.
   • Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available).

Impact on Women Travelers

The New Philippine Passport Act significantly impacts women travelers in several ways:

1. Enhanced Identity Consistency: By reverting to their maiden names, women can ensure that all travel documents, including visas and tickets, match their passport. This reduces the risk of discrepancies and complications at immigration checkpoints.
2. Empowerment and Autonomy: The act empowers women by giving them the choice to reclaim their maiden names. This is particularly meaningful for those who have undergone significant life changes such as annulment, legal separation, or the death of a spouse.
3. Simplified Travel Processes: With a streamlined process for name reversion, women can more easily update their passports and other identification documents, making travel preparations smoother and less stressful.

Original Publication Here

Note: The DFA-OCA encourages applicants to use the affidavit template available on their website for the reversion process. A notarized affidavit will also be accepted if it clearly states the reason for reverting to the maiden name and confirms compliance with all requirements.