The Philippine Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Law of 2003 (RA 9225) is a privilege accorded only to those in compliance with the law and existing regulations.

If you cannot comply with requirements of RA 9225, then there are other modes of acquiring Philippine citizenship through the naturalization process under the following laws:

• Commonwealth Act No. 743 as amended

• RA 9139 under the Special Committee on Naturalization

If you are a former Filipino that does not want to or cannot apply for dual citizenship but want to stay in the Philippines longer than allowed by the visa waiver agreement, you can do the following:

• Apply for a visa. Check for the visa that you can apply for here

• Avail of the Balikbayan Program. Check the Balikbayan Program here

Please check first with your foreign country of birth/naturalization if it allows dual citizenship. 

RA 9225 Brochure (click here)

Benefits of Dual Citizenship - PRIMER (click here).

Dual Citizenship Application Form (click here).

A dual citizen by birth is a natural born Filipino born in a foreign country allowing/accepting dual nationality/dual citizenship; thus all that person (or parent/s of the person) needs to do is report the birth. If the person was born under this Consulate General's jurisdiction (you check it here) click here for requirements. Otherwise, please check here  the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the place of birth.

HOW DOES ONE REACQUIRE PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP UNDER RA 9225?

Natural-born Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country may re-acquire Philippine citizenship by taking the Philippine Oath of Allegiance before a duly authorized Philippine official. The Philippine Oath of Allegiance does not require a person to renounce his allegiance to any other country.

WHO ARE NATURAL BORN FILIPINOS ?
Those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. These are persons:

• Born after January 17, 1973 ,whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines at the time of their birth;•

• Born before January 17, 1973 to a:

1. Filipino Father; or

2. Filipino Mother and that person elects Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority;

NOTE ON ELECTION OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP: 

The required formalities for electing Philippine citizenship are: (1) a statement of election under oath; (2) an oath of allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the Philippines; and (3) registration of the statement of election and of the oath with the nearest Philippine local civil registry. All of these must be done within a reasonable time after the person attained the age of majority. The phrase reasonable time has been interpreted by the Philippine Supreme Court to mean that the election should be made within three (3) years from reaching the age of majority.

No election of Philippine citizenship shall be accepted for registration under Commonwealth Act No. 625 unless the party exercising the right of election has complied with the requirements of the Philippines' Alien Registration Act of 1950 particularly the registration as an alien living in the Philippines. Also, the person electing Philippine citizenship is required to file a petition with the Bureau of Immigration for the cancellation of his alien certificate of registration based on his election of Philippine citizenship and the Bureau of Immigration will initially decide, based on the evidence presented the validity or invalidity of said election. Afterwards, the same is elevated to the Department of Justice for final determination and review.

APPLICANT MUST PERSONALLY APPEAR AND PRESENT THE FOLLOWING:

1. Original and Photocopy of the following documents:

1. For natural-born Filipinos: Birth Certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO)/Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) [apply here]  (The NSO/PSA Birth Certificate must indicate/show Filipino as your nationality/citizenship)

2. For those who elected Philippine citizenship: NSO/PSA Birth Certificate, Certified True Copy/Certification issued by a Philippine local civil registrar (LCR) that the statement of electing Philippine citizenship and oath of allegiance to the Philippines is registered with their office.

3. For Married Women: If you desire your married surname to appear in your primary name on the Dual Citizenship Documents, please present the original and photocopy of your NSO/PSA Marriage Contract OR Report of Marriage (as long as it is within a year of said marriage being reported to the Philippine Consulate General or Embassy, otherwise, the NSO/PSA copy is required).  Absent these, the Consulate General will use your maiden surname in your primary name (as it appears on your Birth Certificate) on the Dual Citizenship Documents.

4.  Foreign Naturalization Certificate

IF THE NSO/PSA BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS ILLEGIBLE: The Consular Officer will require additional proof that the petitioner is a natural-born Philippine citizen such as: Philippine Birth Certificate registered with the Local Civil Registrar, Old Philippine Passport, Voter’s Identification Card, NSO/PSA Philippine Marriage Certificate indicating the Philippine citizenship of the petitioner or any other Philippine-issued official document proving natural-born Philippine citizenship.

IN THE ABSENCE OF ITEM 1.d.: an acceptable alternative would be the Foreign Passport with Notarized Affidavit of Explanation for not submitting Naturalization Certificate and stating how (i.e., through naturalization) and when foreign citizenship was acquired.

2. Completed Dual Citizenship Application Form

3. Three (3) 2X2 COLORED ID Photos with WHITE Background without eyeglasses or colored contact lens taken within six (6) months from application.

4.  Original and photocopy of a valid foreign I.D. (i.e. U.S. Passport, State I.D., State Driver License, etc.).

The Consular Officer reserves the right to request additional documents from the applicant

FOR THOSE APPLYING WITH MINOR CHILDREN FOR DERIVATIVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP AT THE SAME TIME

For each of the child of the applicant below 18 years old, the applicant shall present the original and photocopy of the following documents:

a) Child’s NSO/PSA Birth certificate [apply here]  (The NSO/PSA Birth Certificate must indicate/show Filipino as your nationality/citizenship);

b) Child’s Foreign passport; and

c) Child’s three (3) 2X2 COLORED ID Photos with WHITE Background without eyeglasses or colored contact lens taken within 6 months from application

Note: Only children below 18 years old of age of former natural born Filipinos may qualify for derivative dual citizenship.

A child that is a derivative dual citizen must be distinguished from a child that is already a dual citizen by birth. A child born in the United States of America to at least one Filipino parent is a dual citizen by birth.  He/she is an American by virtue of being born in the U.S.A. or elsewhere  outside the U.S.A. to at least one American parent.  Said child is at the same time a Filipino by virtue of being born to at least one parent who was still a Filipino citizen at the time of the child's birth.  In such a case, all the parent or the actual petitioner needs to do is to Report the Birth [click here for requirements]

FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR MINOR CHILDREN AS DERIVATIVE AFTER DUAL CITIZENSHIP IS ACQUIRED

a) Personal appearance of petitioner (no need of personal appearance of minor children;

b)  Two (2) Accomplished petition forms  to be notarized by PCG[click here]

c) Original and one photocopy each of Petitioner’s Dual Citizenship documents, as follows:
     -Identification Certificate (IC)
     -Order of Approval
     -Oath of Allegiance

d) Two (2) pieces 2x2 photograph of dependent with white background, taken within the last three months from the date of application;

e) Two (2) 2x2 photograph of petitioner with white background, taken within the last three months from the date of application to be used on the petition form;

f) Original and one photocopy of dependent’s NSO or PSA Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines) or US Birth Certificate;

g) Original and photocopy of the dependent’s valid US passport bio-page;

h) Original and photocopy of petitioner’s valid ID (US passport, driver’s license, etc.); and

i) Self-addressed, stamped envelope (include tracking number if you wish to track your document)

FEES (Payable in Cash, Cashier's Check or USPS Postal Money Order)

Dual Citizenship Processing - $50 per applicant

Affidavit of Explanation - $25 per applicant

Notarization of Petition for Inclusion of Dependent Form - $25 per applicant

Petition fee for each dependent - $25 per applicant

Derivative Dual Citizenship Documents - $25 per derivative

Certification/Certified True Copy of Dual Citizenship Documents - $25 per certificate or certified true copy

SCHEDULE AT THE CONSULATE GENERAL (Mondays-Fridays Except Holidays)
Processing Time                              Oath Taking Schedule
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ---------- Approximately 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ------------ Approximately 4:00 p.m.

Click on image to enlarge

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP?

Filipinos who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship under this Act may once again enjoy full civil and political rights under existing laws of the Philippines. Examples of these rights are:

• Right to vote in Philippine national elections

• Right to own land and property in the Philippines

• Right to engage in business or profession as a Filipino

DO I NEED A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES?

Strictly speaking, No.  Just bring your valid U.S./Foreign passport and your Dual Citizenship Documents when you go to the Philippines and you will be allowed to enter and stay like any other Filipino citizen.  However, the Bureau of Immigration expects that a dual citizen entering and staying in the Philippines on account of his/her dual citizenship privileges must be in possession of a Philippine passport, at least upon exiting the Philippines to avoid Bureau of Immigration (BI) penalties.  More inquiries may be directed to BI at +63-2-84652400 or +63-2-85243769.

HOW CAN I GET A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT?

Yes, successful dual citizenship petitioners may also apply for a Philippine passport at the Consulate General, however, a separate appointment slot is needed for this transaction.  For passport requirements of dual citizens, click here.

HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

You can stay in the Philippines indefinitely provided that upon your arrival in the Philippines you present before the Philippine Immigration Officer  your valid US/Foreign passport and your Dual Citizenship Documents. EXCEPTION: when you travel with your Foreign Husband/Wife/Child. You and your foreign husband/wife/child are entitled to a visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year from arrival in the Philippines, among other privileges, provided you all have round trip/return tickets with the same return flight schedule to the U.S.

WILL MY APPLICATION AFFECT MY U.S. CITIZENSHIP?

Prospective applicants for dual citizenship under R.A. 9225 are advised to visit and read the contents on dual nationality  by the U.S. Department of State, or to seek legal advice from a U.S. immigration lawyer.

For more information contact us at [email protected]