Married women may now revert to their maiden name in Philippine passport

Married women in the Philippines now have the option to revert to their maiden names on their passports!

Following the implementation of the New Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 11983), the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) announced that married Filipinas renewing their passports may voluntarily switch back to their maiden names.

However, this change can only be made once, and all other identification cards and official documents must also reflect their maiden name.

Section 5 (f) of the law states: “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.”

Required documents for reverting to maiden name

According to the DFA, applicants must submit the following documents based on their reason for reversion:

Due to annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage, judicially-recognized foreign divorce, or legal separation:

1. 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
2. An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth;
3. Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available)

For widows (death of spouse):

1. 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
2. An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth
3. Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available)

For personal reasons (other than the above):

1. An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or PSA Report of Birth
2. An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage or PSA Report of Marriage
3. 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 previously availed of the reversion
4. Latest-issued Philippine passport or travel document
5. Any valid government-issued ID accepted for passport application, reflecting the applicant’s maiden name

To make the process easier, DFA-OCA has provided a ready-to-use affidavit template on its website. Applicants may also submit a notarized affidavit, as long as it clearly states the reason for the name change and confirms they have completed all the required documents.