With the Government of Philippines introducing the Dual Citizenship bill, Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9225), Filipinos the world over can once again re-acquire their Philippines citizenship.
Republic Act No. 9225
Republic Act No. 9225 declares that former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization are deemed not to have lost their Philippines citizenship under conditions provided in the Act.
The former Filipinos can re-acquire/retain their Philippines citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. Under the Philippines Constitution, a natural-born citizen is a person born of one or both parents who are Filipino citizens at the time of birth. RA 9225 does not apply to dual citizens, i.e., those who have both Philippines citizenship as well as foreign citizenship not acquired through naturalization.
Criteria to be Considered as a Natural-Born Filipino
- A former natural-born citizen, who was born in the Philippines, shall submit to the National Statistics Office (NSO) authenticated copy of his or her birth certificate.
- A former natural-born citizen, who was born abroad, shall present a copy of the Report of Birth issued by the Philippines Embassy or Consulate and, in applicable cases, the original copy of the Birth Certificate by competent foreign authorities.
Procedure for Applying for Dual Citizenship in Philippines
1. Applicant shall present a copy of his/her Birth Certificate issued or duly-authenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Manila.
(Note: Applicants can request for an authenticated birth certificate from the National Statistics Office on-line through the following website: www.ecensus.com.ph)
In case of no records found, applicant must present a Certificate of Non-Availability of Birth Record from the NSO and other secondary documentary proof of being a former natural-born Filipino citizen (e.g. old Philippine passport, baptismal certificate, marriage certificate of applicant’s parents).
2. Applicant has to submit form entitled “Petition for Dual Citizenship and Issuance of Identification Certificate (IC) pursuant to RA 9225” to the Philippine Consulate / Embassy together with the photos, birth certificate and a valid ID.
(Note: Applicants who are married and who wish to use their married names must submit a copy of their marriage certificate).
3. Applicant pays a processing fee of US$ 50.00 and is assigned a schedule for his/her oath of allegiance before a consular officer. Applicant takes his/her oath.
4. Applicant is given the original copy of his notarized oath of allegiance together with an Order of Approval issued by the Philippine Consulate General.
5. The Philippines Consulate General forwards to the Bureau of Immigration in Manila the petition, oath, order of approval, and other supporting documents for issuance of an Identification Certificate.
6. The Bureau of Immigration issues an Identification Certificate (IC) and forwards it to the applicant through the Philippines Consulate General.
