hey M...
this may be of interest to you. i lifted the following from the CDO group..
Hello fellow Ex-pats,
Just thought I'd pass along some info for those of you with expiring U.S. passports who need to renew but want to avoid the hassle, congestion and expense of doing it at the American Embassy in Manila. I know for a fact that it can be done at the American consulate in Cebu because I just did it, so I'd like to share my experiences with you so you'll know exactly how it is done.
First of all, the American consulate in Cebu is located on the ground floor of the Waterfront Hotel on Isabela Street. But don't try finding it from inside the Hotel. It's located at the back via the entrance road that circles the Hotel. The entrance is very nondescript.
It's open only from 8-11AM Monday-Friday and is closed on both American and Filipino holidays. Everything there is done on a walk-in basis, 1st come, 1st serve, no appointment is necessary.
Cost is $110 payable in either dollars or pesos. No credit cards are accepted. Be sure to bring the exact amount, they might not be able to break a large bill.
Bring your old passport and as many 2x2 recent photos as you can spare.
The DS-82 form is available there if you come without it. If you download the form on your computer beforehand, its 2 pages, but don't print the 2nd page on the back of Page 1. If everything is in order and you get there fairly early, it will probably take only 30-45 minutes and you'll be out the door before you know it.
The consul will take your old passport and application form and forward it to Manila, and you will receive it in the mail via Air21 for an extra fee of P90 COD. Was told it would take from 4-5 weeks to receive it.
But for me, the good news is it only took 19 days. I applied on January 9th and received it just today, the 28th. If you elect to do in Manila, they will only renew passports on an appointment basis. You have to go there when they tell you to. If flying, it will also cost you more to get there, and once there you have to cope with finding a place to stay and getting there from the airport.
In Cebu, I found a convenient place to stay at the Metro Park Hotel within walking distance from the Waterfront Hotel. It's a nice place, only P900/night for up to 2 people, with A/C. Cable TV, 4th floor restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and each room has a small refrigerator w/freezer. A nearby Mall is also within walking distance.
Taxi fare from Mactan Airport is about P220, more or less depending on the traffic. But don't take a yellow taxi, use the white ones which are a lot less expensive. The taxi drivers will not hassle you about the fare. They will just push the meter button and give you a receipt.
So there you have it, all the facts needed to renew your U.S. passport in Cebu. If you need any more details or info not covered here, let me know. I hope this will help you and make you realize that passport renewal in the Philippines isn't that difficult.
Ex-pat Steve
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