Naturalization is the legal process by which a foreign national voluntarily acquires Philippine citizenship.

Governed by Commonwealth Act No. 473 (The Revised Naturalization Law), this is a rigorous judicial process requiring a long-term commitment to the country[citation:2].

It is important to note that successful applicants are typically required to renounce their former allegiance, making dual citizenship through standard naturalization unavailable[citation:4].

General Qualifications for Naturalization

Under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, an applicant must meet all the following requirements[citation:2]:

  • Age: Must be at least 21 years old on the day of the hearing of the petition.
  • Residence: Must have resided in the Philippines for a continuous period of not less than ten (10) years.
  • Character: Must be of good moral character, believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution, and have conducted himself properly during his residence.
  • Property or Occupation: Must own real estate worth not less than PHP 5,000 or have a lucrative trade, profession, or lawful occupation.
  • Language: Must be able to speak and write English or Spanish and any one of the principal Philippine languages.
  • Education of Children: Must have enrolled his minor children of school age in public or recognized private schools where Philippine history, government, and civics are taught.

Special Qualifications (Reduced Residency)

The ten-year residency requirement is reduced to five (5) years for applicants who have any of the following special qualifications[citation:2]:

  • Honorably held office under the Government of the Philippines or any of its political subdivisions.
  • Established a new industry or introduced a useful invention in the Philippines.
  • Is married to a Filipino woman.
  • Has been engaged as a teacher in a public or recognized private school for a period of not less than two years.
  • Was born in the Philippines.

Grounds for Disqualification

Certain persons are disqualified from becoming naturalized citizens. These include[citation:2]:

  • Persons opposed to organized government or affiliated with associations upholding doctrines opposing all organized governments.
  • Persons defending violence or assassination for the success of their ideas.
  • Polygamists or believers in polygamy.
  • Persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
  • Persons suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious diseases.
  • Persons who have not mingled socially with Filipinos or evinced a sincere desire to embrace Filipino customs and ideals.
  • Citizens of nations at war with the Philippines or nations whose laws do not grant Filipinos the right to become naturalized citizens.

The Naturalization Process Timeline

The process is lengthy and requires strict adherence to legal procedures:

  1. Declaration of Intention: One year prior to filing the petition, the applicant must file a declaration of intention with the Bureau of Justice[citation:2].
    Exception: Those who were born in the Philippines, have resided here continuously since birth, or have the special qualifications listed above are exempt from filing this declaration.
  2. Filing of the Petition: After the residency requirement is met, the applicant files a verified petition with the Court of First Instance (now Regional Trial Court) of the province where he has resided for at least one year[citation:2].
  3. Publication and Hearing: The court orders the publication of the petition in the Official Gazette and a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three consecutive weeks[citation:2]. The hearing cannot be held within ninety (90) days from the last publication. The Solicitor General or provincial fiscal appears on behalf of the government to oppose or support the petition.
  4. Oath and Certificate: If the court grants the petition, the applicant must wait thirty days for any appeal. If none is filed, the applicant takes an Oath of Allegiance renouncing all allegiance to any foreign state. The clerk of court then issues the Certificate of Naturalization[citation:2].

Due to the complexity of this process, it is strongly advised to seek the assistance of legal counsel.