New Philippine Passport Law in 2026: Married Filipinas Can Now Go Back to Their Maiden Name (Even Without Annulment)
If you've been using your husband's surname on your Philippine passport and have been wanting to go back to your maiden name - good news. You can now do it legally, even without annulment documents.
I'm Kach Umandap, and I personally went through this process with my own Philippine passport, driver's license, BPI, BDO, Pagibig, and Metrobank accounts. In this post, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about the New Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 11983) and how it affects married Filipinas in 2026.
WHAT IS THE NEW PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT (RA 11983)?
Republic Act No. 11983, also known as the New Philippine Passport Act, introduced several important changes to how Filipino passports are issued and renewed. One of the most significant changes - especially for married women - is the provision under Section 5(f) that allows voluntary reversion to a maiden name.
"Married women who will renew their passports may now voluntarily revert to their maiden names ONCE."
This is pursuant to Section 5(f) of the New Philippine Passport Act, which 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…"
This means you don't need an annulment, legal separation, or any court document to revert to your maiden name. You can do it voluntarily - once.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
For many Filipino women, using a married surname on a passport was a permanent decision - or so they thought. Before this law, you could only revert to your maiden name if you had annulment papers, a court order, or your spouse had passed away.
Now, any married Filipina can choose to go back to her maiden name on her passport without needing to explain or prove a marriage dissolution. This is a huge step forward.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Based on the official DFA-OCA advisory, here are the documents you'll need to submit when renewing your passport under this provision:
1. PSA-authenticated Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth
2. PSA-authenticated Certificate of Marriage or Report of Marriage
3. Notarized Affidavit of Explanation — this must include your request to revert to your maiden name and state that you have not previously availed of this reversion. You can use this form.
4. Latest issued Philippine passport or travel document
5. Any valid government-issued ID reflecting your maiden name
Note: The DFA-OCA has a prescribed affidavit template you can download from the official consular website. A notarized affidavit you prepare yourself is also acceptable, as long as it clearly states your reason and confirms you haven't used this option before.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Book a DFA appointment at passport.gov.ph for a passport renewal.
Prepare all required documents listed above.
Have your Affidavit of Explanation notarized by a notary public. Use the DFA's prescribed template.
Appear at your DFA appointment and submit all documents.
Pay the renewal fee (₱950 regular / ₱1,200 express).
After receiving your passport in your maiden name, update your other government IDs accordingly.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
You can only do this ONCE under this provision.
All your other existing IDs and documents must also be updated to reflect your maiden name.
This applies at the time of passport renewal - you cannot change your name on an existing valid passport without renewal.
I DID THIS MYSELF - HERE'S WHAT I CHANGED
After going through this process personally, I updated my name across multiple documents and accounts. Here's the full list of what I changed:
Philippine Passport
Driver's License
BPI Bank Account
BDO Bank Account
Pagibig Membership (HDMF)
Metrobank Account
Each institution has slightly different requirements, but once your passport reflects your maiden name, it becomes your primary reference document for all other updates. The process is tedious but very doable.
If you need help navigating this step by step, I'm happy to guide you personally. Just send me an email at kach@filipinopassport.com.
Other Important Philippine Travel Updates in 2026
While you're here, here are 9 more things every Filipino traveler should know right now:
Egypt is Visa on Arrival for Filipinos — only $25 at the airport, if you have a valid and used US, UK, Schengen, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia visa. GCC residents are also eligible. Read the full details here.
Thinking of becoming a digital nomad? Teaching English was my first step into remote work back in 2013 started with volunteering in Vietnam, and it still works in 2026. I recommend getting a TEFL certification — use my discount code KACH50 for 50% off the MyTEFL 120-hour online course.
I won the Emerging Global Filipino Icon 2026 award in Dubai, nominated by Filipino World Travelers, a travel community I'm part of. See the moment here.
Spain approved amnesty for undocumented migrants — if you or someone you know is in Spain without documents, look into the extraordinary regularisation program. Key requirement: no criminal record. Read the full update here.
That souvenir stamp in your passport could cancel it — learn from my mistake in South America. Read the full story on my Instagram.
I'm running Visa Coaching sessions for Filipinos with rejections, weak ties, or complicated travel histories. I help you strategize and write your cover letters. Book your session here.
Visa Now, Pay Later promo is still live on FilipinoPassport.com — valid for US, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia, and Ireland visa applications until March 31, 2026 for travel until December 2026. Grab the promo here.
Join my Balkans group trip! We're visiting Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Good news: if you have a valid US visa, you don't need separate visas for most of these countries (except Kosovo). Two departure dates: Sept 16-30 and Oct 3-17, 2026. See the full itinerary here or book your spot here.
Need a Rent-a-Flight / Dummy Ticket for your visa application? We've been doing this reliably since 2017. Book at FilipinoPassport.com.
