Dual Citizenship (RA 9225)

Benefits of Dual Citizenship - PRIMER (click here).

Dual Citizenship Application Form (click here).

Republic Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, but more commonly known as the Dual Citizenship Law, enables natural-born Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country to 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 on or 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.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRINCIPAL PETITIONER/ APPLICANT:

1. Personal appearance;

2. Original and Photocopy of the following documents:

1. Birth certificate or Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority/PSA
2. U.S. Naturalization Certificate
3. Valid U.S. Passport
4. Latest Philippine passport (if available)
5. Proof in case of variance between the applicant's name as it appears in the birth certificate or Report of Birth, and the name in the foreign passport or US Naturalization certificate:

1. Affidavit of One and the Same Person explaining the discrepancy of variance of the applicant's name in the documents submitted, and a statement acknowledging all obligations, responsibilities and liabilities under all names.
2. Supporting documents proving how the applicant acquired the varied names, such as:
   1. • Marriage certificate (if due to marriage);
      • Judicial Decree of Change of Name, Adoption, Annulment Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, and Divorce or equivalent document;
      • Petition of Change of Name in the Certificate of Naturalization; or
      • Philippine-issued official document indicating the varying name/s.

2. Completed Dual Citizenship Application Form

3. Three (3) 2X2 COLORED and DIGITALLY UNALTERED ID Photos with WHITE Background (taken no earlier than 3 months prior to the time of application).

Note: Applicant should be wearing appropriate attire in the photo, without eyeglasses or colored contact lenses.

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

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRINCIPAL APPLICANT'S CHILD/ CHILDREN INCLUDED IN THE PETITION

Note: Minor child/children is/are not required to be present except when the child/children will apply for Philippine passport on the same day.

1.  Original and photocopy of the child/children's PSA Birth Certificate or US Birth Certificate, as appropriate;
2. Original and photocopy of the child/children's valid US Passport;
3. Original and photocopy of the child/children's latest Philippine passport (if applicable);
4. Three (3) pieces 2x2 identical photos (taken no earlier than 3 months prior to the time of application)

a) Child’s PSA Birth certificate [apply here]  (The 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 no earlier than 3 months prior to the time of 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 at birth. A child born in the United States of America to at least one Filipino parent is a dual citizen at 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 THEIR MINOR CHILDREN AFTER HAVING ALREADY REACQUIRED DUAL CITIZENSHIP:

a) Personal appearance of petitioner (the minor child/children does/do not need to be present);

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

c) Original and one photocopy each of the 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 no earlier than 3 months prior to the time of  application;

e) Two (2) 2x2 photograph of petitioner with white background, taken no earlier than 3 months prior to the time of application to be used on the petition form;

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

g) Original and photocopy of the minor child/children'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, pre-paid return 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.

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 pcgenla_dual@yahoo.com