Mandatory to Change Marital Status in the Passport. After marriage or divorce, individuals often face the task of updating their personal documents, including passports. One common query is whether it is necessary to change the marital status in a passport. Let’s delve into this question and understand the implications.

Importance of Updating Marital Status

Your marital status can affect various aspects of your life, including legal, financial, and administrative matters. When it comes to passports, ensuring that the information is up-to-date is crucial for several reasons:

1. Legal Compliance: Some countries have laws that mandate updating personal information such as marital status in official documents like passports.
2. Identification Purposes: A passport serves as a primary identification document. Having outdated information can lead to complications during international travel or when verifying identity.
3. Consistency: Personal records need to be consistent across different official documents to avoid confusion or discrepancies.

Is It Mandatory?

Whether or not it’s mandatory to update your marital status in your passport depends largely on the policies of the issuing country. Here’s a general overview based on common practices:

1. Changes in Marital Status: If you have recently gotten married, divorced, or widowed, you may need to update your passport to reflect your current status.
2. Specific Requirements: Different countries have different rules regarding when and how to update marital status in passports. Some may require immediate updating, while others allow a grace period.
3. Impact on Travel: While some countries may not enforce strict penalties for not updating marital status immediately, having outdated information could potentially lead to delays or issues during travel, especially if there is a mismatch with other identification documents.

Process of Updating Marital Status in Passport

If you’ve determined that updating your marital status in your passport is necessary, here are the typical steps involved:

1. Documentation: You’ll usually need to provide supporting documents such as your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or spouse’s death certificate, depending on your situation.
2. Application Form: Fill out the appropriate passport application form, indicating the change in marital status.
3. Submission: Submit the completed form along with the required documents to the passport issuing authority. This may be done in person or through mail, depending on the country’s procedures.
4. Fees: Be prepared to pay any applicable fees for updating your passport.
5. Processing Time: The time it takes to process your updated passport can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of any planned travel.

Requirements for Changing Marital Status in Passport

If you decide to change your surname on your passport due to marriage, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Visit the DFA Office: Schedule an appointment and visit the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office.
2. Required Documents: Prepare the following documents:
   • Completed passport renewal application form.
   • Original and photocopy of your current passport’s bio-data page.
   • Marriage certificate.
   • Valid IDs showing your married name (e.g., SSS, GSIS, driver’s license).
3. Application Process: Submit your application form and required documents during your appointment.
4. Confirmation and Collection: Receive a confirmation email with an appointment reference number (ARN) and electronic receipt. Collect your new passport once it’s ready, showing the receipt and ID.

Marital Status in Passports

Marital status on passports refers to an individual’s legal relationship status in terms of marriage. In the Philippines, marital status options include Single, Married, Divorced, Separated, and Widowed, as recognized by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This status can affect various aspects of public benefits, credit, insurance, and legal rights.

Is Updating Marital Status Mandatory?

No, it is not mandatory to update the marital status on your passport unless you wish to change your name due to marriage or divorce. Unlike some countries where marital status is explicitly shown on passports, Philippine passports do not display this information. Therefore, updating your passport’s marital status is optional and primarily serves to reflect a name change after marriage.

According to Article 370 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines, married women have options regarding their surname:

• They can choose to use a hyphenated surname (combining maiden name and husband’s surname).
• They may opt to drop their maiden name entirely and use only their husband’s surname.
• Alternatively, they can use their husband’s full name with a prefix like Mrs., although this is less common.

Pros and Cons of Changing Marital Status in Passport

Pros

• Family Unity: Having the same surname as family members can simplify administrative processes and enhance a sense of family unity.
• Personal Choice: Allows individuals to adopt a new name they prefer.
• Legal Clarity: Some legal and administrative processes may require consistent identification, which can be facilitated by updating documents.

Cons:

• Identity Concerns: Changing a name may impact personal identity and professional reputation.
• Equality Issues: Some view the tradition of taking a husband’s surname as a relinquishment of personal identity.
• Administrative Burden: Changing documents can involve significant paperwork and time.

Conclusion

While changing marital status on a passport is not mandatory in the Philippines, updating your passport after marriage facilitates changes in your name. It’s a personal decision influenced by factors like personal identity, family unity, and administrative convenience. Understanding the implications and requirements helps individuals make informed choices regarding their passports and personal documents.