Good news, married Filipinas!
Under the New Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act. No. 11983), married women renewing their passports may now voluntarily revert to their maiden names—but only once.
Photo: Vecteezy
The Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) has announced the news, citing Section 5 (f) of the law, “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…”
Applicants who desire to revert to their maiden names in their passports may do so subject to the following conditions:
For those who wish to revert to their maiden names for reasons apart from those stated above:
- 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; and
- Latest-issued Philippine passport or travel document; and
- Any valid and existing Government-issued ID accepted for passport application, reflecting the maiden name of the passport applicant.
Likewise, a married woman may revert to her maiden name in her passport application by virtue of an annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage, legal separation, judicially-recognized foreign divorce, or death of a husband, must submit the following documentary requirements stated below:
By Virtue of Death of Spouse:
- Submission of an original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Death (COD) or Report of Death (ROD) of spouse, or apostilled, or authenticated Foreign Death Certificate with English Translation, if applicable;
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth;
- Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available).
By Virtue of Annulment, Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, Judicially-recognized Foreign Divorce, Judicially-recognized Divorce under PD No. 1083, and Legal Separation:
- Submission of an original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage (COM) or PSA Report of Marriage (ROM) with annotation reflecting the nullity or dissolution of marriage, judicial recognition of foreign divorce, court decree of legal separation;
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth;
- Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available).
The DFA-OCA noted that for married women who will avail of the voluntary reversion to their maiden name, 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.
“Furthermore, OCA informs the public that a married woman who has used her husband’s surname in her passport or travel document may revert to her maiden name only once, following the dissolution of a subsisting marriage,” it added.
The agency has also advised the public to use the affidavit template posted on OCA’s website.
ALSO READ: How to Apply and Renew for a Philippine Passport (2025 Edition)
