For generations, society has dictated how women should dress, look, and even define their own independence. But times are changing. And for many, reclaiming their maiden name isn’t just a technicality—it's a powerful statement of autonomy and personal choice. In some cases, it also symbolizes a fresh start.
Thankfully, Philippine laws are evolving to recognize this right. Married women who wish to restore their maiden names on their passports now have the legal means to do so, thanks to the new Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 11983).
The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) has announced that under this law, married women renewing their passports may choose to revert to their maiden names—but only once.
This is in accordance with Section 5(f) of the law which states: "For a woman who wishes to revert to the use of her maiden name, a duly authenticated birth certificate by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)," is needed.
There is a caveat though. "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," the law read.
Who Can Avail of the Maiden Name Reversion?
Women who simply wish to revert to their maiden names, without an underlying legal change in marital status, must provide the following documents:
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth.
- An original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage or Report of Marriage.
- A notarized Affidavit of Explanation, detailing the request and confirming that the applicant has not previously availed of the reversion.
- The latest-issued Philippine passport or travel document.
- A valid government-issued ID reflecting the applicant’s maiden name.
You may download the additional forms needed via the DFA official website.
For women seeking to revert due to the termination of marriage—whether through annulment, legal separation, judicially recognized foreign divorce, or the death of a spouse—additional documents will be required.
Applicants must submit the following documents based on their reason for reversion:
For reversion due to the death of a spouse:
- Original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Death (COD) or Report of Death (ROD) of the spouse
- Apostilled or authenticated Foreign Death Certificate with English translation (if applicable)
- Original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth
- Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available)
For reversion due to annulment, declaration of nullity, judicial recognition of foreign divorce, or legal separation:
- Original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Marriage (COM) or Report of Marriage (ROM) with an annotation reflecting the nullity or dissolution of marriage, judicial recognition of foreign divorce, or court decree of legal separation
- Original and photocopy of a PSA-issued Certificate of Live Birth or Report of Birth
- Latest-issued Philippine passport (if available)
