The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will cancel starting January 10 all unclaimed passports that were scheduled for release in December 2020 or earlier.

Those yet to claim their passports may do so until January 7, 2022 (Friday) at the DFA Consular Office where they were processed, the agency said in an advisory Thursday night.

Persons who are still unable to claim their passports before January 7, 2022 must file a new passport application after securing a certificate of unclaimed passport from DFA Aseana or at the DFA Consular Office where they were processed.

The announcement is in accordance with DFA Department Order No. 2021-012 on the Disposal of Unclaimed and Spoiled Passports, which states that “a passport left unclaimed by its holder one year after the date it was received by DFA Aseana, or by the Consular Office or by the Foreign Services Post (FSP) shall be canceled.”

Passports scheduled for release after December 2020 are not affected and may still be claimed from the DFA Consular Office, the DFA said.

While no penalty is given for passports claimed at a later date, the public is encouraged to claim their passport within 30 days from its scheduled release.

Applicants may authorize another person to claim the passport on their behalf provided the authorized persons comply with the requirements indicated on the DFA’s website. (PNA)