HOW DOES ONE REACQUIRE PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 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.
Those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship are considered natural-born Filipinos. These are persons:
- Whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines at the time of their birth; or
- Born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, and that person elects Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
1. Photocopy of the following documents (original copies to be presented during on-site claiming and signing of dual citizenship documents):
a. Birth Certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO)/Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
b. Foreign Naturalization Certificate
In the absence of a birth certificate (1.a. above), a combination of the following two (2) Documents from the Philippines:
- Old Philippine Passport
- Philippine Birth Certificate issued by the local civil registry (LCR)
- Philippine Marriage Certificate issued by NSO/PSA or the LCR
In the absence of a foreign naturalization certificate (1.b. above), execute an Affidavit of Explanation for not submitting Naturalization Certificate
2. Photocopy of the applicant's US passport data page (the original passport to be presented during on-site claiming and signing of documents)
3. For those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, and then elects Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
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.
4. Marriage certificate, if applicable.
5. Completed Dual Citizenship Application Form
6. Three (3) 2x2 Colored ID Photos with White Background without eyeglasses or colored contact lens taken within six (6) months from application.
The Consular Officer reserves the right to request additional documents from the applicant
WHAT WILL BE THE CITIZENSHIP OF MY CHILDREN IF I REACQUIRE PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP UNDER RA 9225?
All your unmarried children, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, shall be deemed citizens of the Philippines. This is called “derivative dual citizenship.”
For each of the applicant’s child below 18 years old, the applicant shall include in their submission a photocopy of the following documents (original to be shown during the onsite claiming and signing of dual citizenship certificates):
- Child’s Birth Certificate;
- Child’s Foreign passport; and
- Submit three (3) 2x2 colored ID photos of the child with white background without eyeglasses or colored contact lens taken within 6 months from application
HOW MUCH ARE THE FEES?
|
Fees (per applicant) |
|
|
Dual Citizenship Documents |
$ 50 |
|
Affidavit of Explanation for not submitting Naturalization Certificate |
$ 25 |
|
Derivative Dual Citizenship Documents |
$ 25 |
Payment shall be made only by cashduring the applicant's scheduled personal appearance in the Consulate General for the signing and claiming of dual citizenship documents.
HOW CAN WE APPLY?
Submission of requirements
Submission of applications for dual citizenship shall be BY MAIL ONLY.
You may send your application together with other requirements to the Philippine Consulate General in Houston at 9990 Richmond Ave. Suite 100N Houston, TX 77042.
If all of the documents are in order, applicants shall be notified by e-mail of the approval of the application and the schedule of the oath taking.
The originals of all supporting documents should be presented on-site as a precondition to proceed to the oath taking.
Applicants are also advised to bring cash for the payment of fees.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RE-ACQUIRING/RETAINING PH CITIZENSHIP UNDER RA 9225?
Filipinos who have re-acquired their PH citizenship under RA 9225 may once again enjoy full civil and political rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws of the Philippines subject to conditions. These rights include:
- To vote in the PH national elections
- A person who reacquires his/her PH citizenship may vote in elections in the PH provided that he/she complies with the residency requirement under existing PH election law. He/she may vote abroad in PH national elections (and vote for a President, Vice President, Senators and sectoral representatives) provided he/she meets the requirements under the Overseas Absentee Voting Act.
- To run for or be appointed to public office
- Despite having reacquired PH citizenship, one does not automatically gain the right to run for public office. First, he or she must meet the qualifications for holding such office as required by the 1987 Constitution and existing laws. Thereafter, prospective candidates must, at the time of the filing of the certificate of candidacy, make a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship of any and all foreign citizenship before authorized public officers. The same requirement is imposed to those who are about to be appointed to any public office in the PH.
- To practice his/her profession
- Despite having reacquired PH citizenship, one does not automatically gain the right to practice his/her procession in the PH. To be able to do so, he/she must apply with the proper PH authority (PRC and other accrediting bodies) for a license or permit
Please note that the right to vote or be elected or appointed to any public office in the Philippines cannot be exercised by, or extended to, those who:
- are candidates for or are occupying any public office in the country of which they are naturalized citizens; and/or
- are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of the country which they are naturalized citizens.
MY OLD PHILIPPINE PASSPORT IS STILL VALID. CAN I STILL USE IT?
No. Taking the US oath of allegiance effectively renounces all other citizenships. As a result, you temporarily lose Philippine citizenship. Since a Philippine passport may only be issued to a Filipino citizen, you lose the right to possess a Philippine passport the moment Philippine citizenship has been lost upon taking the US oath of allegiance. Because of this, the old passport must be surrendered and cancelled, and a new one must be issued upon retaining or reacquiring Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.
DO I NEED A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES?
No, just bring your valid US/Foreign passport and your Dual Citizenship Documents when you go to the Philippines.
HOW CAN I GET A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT?
Present these documents to the passport processor:
- Dual Citizenship Documents
- Old Philippine Passport or in case of loss, Affidavit of Loss
- Completed Passport Application Form
- Birth certificate from the NSO/PSA
- Marriage Certificate from the NSO/PSA for females wishing to use their married surname for the first time
Please note that a confirmed appointment is required to apply for a passport at the Philippine Consulate General in Houston. For more information, you may visit our passport information page at https://houstonpcg.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/consular-services/passport-services.
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.
For Filipino citizens travelling together with their foreigner spouse and/or children: Your foreigner spouse and/or child/ren are entitled to enter the Philippines visa-free and stay for a period of one (1) year counted from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Upon arrival, they will be required by immigration authorities to present a round-trip ticket or a flight ticket to any foreign country with a travel date within the visa-free period.
DO I NEED TO PAY INCOME TAXES?
If you live outside the Philippines for over 180 days in a taxable year, only income generated within the Philippines are taxed by the Philippine government.
Note that the Philippines and United States of America signed a treaty on taxation in order to avoid double taxation for Filipinos who derive income from the United States and for Americans who derive income from the Philippines. Under this treaty, taxes paid in the United States may be credited in the Philippines and vice versa.
