PUBLIC ADVISORY
APPLICANTS FOR CONSULAR SERVICES TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENTLY FUNDED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR RETURN ENVELOPES
The public is hereby informed that due to the increase in the United States Postal Service (USPS) rates for mailing of key package products effective 3 October 2021, applicants for Philippine Passport, Civil Registration (Reports of Birth/Marriage/Death, and Consular Mortuary Certificate), and Legal/Notarial Services are hereby advised to bring with them when they file their applications with the Consulate any of the following types of envelopes stamped according to the new/adjusted rates:
- Self-Addressed Prepaid Mailing Envelope from courier of choice (ex. USPS, UPS) labeled with the recipient’s address; or
- Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) with appropriate number of stamps and tracking number (USPS Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail)
Below is a list of the temporary rate adjustments for USPS Flat Rate Envelopes being used for consular services. For more information, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0810-usps-announces-proposed-temporary-rate-adjustments-for-2021-peak-holiday-season.htm
| Type | New Price |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (Red) 12-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ or smaller | $8.70 (previously $7.95) |
| Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope 12-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ | $27.10 (previously $26.35) |
Applicants may encounter difficulties in receiving the processed documents/passport if the stamps attached to their Self-Addressed Stamped Envelopes (SASE) are insufficiently funded. Applicants are therefore advised to be guided by the new rates in their submission of the required envelopes.
San Francisco, 7 October 2021