Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, allows natural-born Filipinos who lost their Philippine citizenship through naturalization in the United States to reacquire it.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the various Philippine Consulates General across the US (including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Honolulu, and others) process these applications.
The act does not require renunciation of US citizenship, and the US allows dual citizenship.
Who is eligible to apply for dual citizenship?
Former natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country are eligible.
Natural-born Filipinos are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.
This includes persons born on or after January 17, 1973, whose fathers or mothers were Filipino citizens at the time of their birth, and persons born before that date to a Filipino father or to a Filipino mother who elected Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
What are the requirements for the principal applicant?
Applicants must submit a completed Dual Citizenship Application Form, original and photocopy of PSA-issued birth certificate (or Report of Birth if born abroad), original and photocopy of US Naturalization Certificate, original and photocopy of valid US passport, and latest Philippine passport (if available).
Applicants must also provide two passport-sized colored photos with white background taken within the last three months.
If there is any variance in the applicant's name across documents, an Affidavit of One and the Same Person with supporting documents is required.
What about children and dependents?
Unmarried children below 18 years of age of former natural-born Filipinos may qualify for derivative dual citizenship and can be included in the parent's petition.
A child born in the US to at least one Filipino parent is a dual citizen at birth and does not need to apply under RA 9225; instead, the parent must file a Report of Birth with the Philippine Consulate.
If the child is already 18 years or older, they must file their own application.
For those applying for minor children after having already reacquired dual citizenship, the petitioner must appear in person with the child's documents and the petitioner's dual citizenship documents.
What fees are associated with the application?
Fees vary by consulate and are non-refundable. For the Los Angeles Consulate, the principal applicant fee is US$50, with additional fees for derivative applicants and other services.
For the New York Consulate, the fee is US$50. Payments are accepted in cash, cashier's check, or USPS Postal Money Order.
Personal checks and credit cards are not typically accepted. Applicants are advised to check their specific consulate's website for exact fees.
What is the application and oath-taking process?
Applicants must schedule an appointment online before visiting the consulate. Applicants must present original documents for verification during the appointment.
If the documentary requirements are found to be in order, an oath-taking ceremony takes place in the afternoon on the same day of the appointment, typically between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM.
The oath-taking does not require renunciation of allegiance to any other country. After taking the oath, applicants receive their dual citizenship documents, including the Oath of Allegiance, Order of Approval, and Identification Certificate.
Will dual citizenship affect my US citizenship?
No. RA 9225 does not require renunciation of US citizenship. The US has no prohibition against dual citizenship, and the US Supreme Court has stated that dual citizenship is a status long recognized by law.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington has also clarified that there have been no policy changes affecting Filipinos seeking to reacquire Philippine nationality.