Dual Citizenship – Reclaiming the Filipino identity

Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003
On August 29, 2003, the government of the Philippines passed Republic Act No. 9225 also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This law allows natural-born Filipinos the opportunity to retain or re-aquire their Filipino citizenship in addition to the citizenship of their resident country. Essentially, dual citizenship already existed due to operation of nationality laws. For instance, a child born in the United States to Filipino parents is considered an American citizen according to jus soli, place of birth, and a Philippine citizen by jus sanguinis, citizenship of parents. However, citizenship in the past has been lost due to naturalization in another country.

After the passage of R.A. 9225, citizenship is no longer lost upon naturalization as the natural-born Filipino retain citizenship. In addition, natural-born Filipinos can re-acquire their lost citizenship through an application process. Residency is not a requirement for application as there are methods of applying while overseas in addition to within the Philippines.

Implications for Filipino-Americans
If a Filipino-American qualifies as a natural-born Filipino, they can apply to dual citizenship and regain full civil, economic, and political rights under existing laws of the Philippines. This includes but is not limited to the right to own property in the Philippines, right to acquire a Philippine passport, and right to vote in elections. Other citizenship duties such as income tax are only applied to income earned from the Philippines. A professional can also apply for licenses or permits to engage in their legal practice.

By having dual citizenship, Filipino-Americans are gaining a number of advantages. For instance, some Filipino-Americans wish to stay in the Philippines for extended periods of time. However, extending tourist visas can become extremely expensive and restrict the period of time a person can stay in the Philippines. By becoming a citizen, a person can automatically be allowed to stay for a year. This act also allows many to retire to the Philippines after spending a majority of their adult life in the United States. There are limitations of how much land a foreigner can purchase or invest in and citizenship removes these. There are also those that wish to become “Filipino” again and this allows them to do so. In a sense, it allows them to finally return home.

Requirements for applying for retention or re-acquisition of Filipino citizenship
As according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Duly completed verified petition
Notarized Oath of Allegiance

"I, ________________, solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and local orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines, and I hereby declare that I recognise and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto, and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion."

Two (2) recent 2”x2” colored photographs of applicant
Application Fee (US$50 for overseas applicants or PhP 2,500 for Philippine based applicants)
Proof as natural born Filipino citizen, an original or photocopy of at least one of the following:

a. Philippine birth certificate
b. old Philippine passport
c. voter’s affidavit or voter’s identification card
d. marriage contract
e. other documents proving that the applicant is a former natural born Filipino citizen

photocopy of foreign passport
photocopy of certificate of naturalization or an original affidavit stating how foreign citizenship was acquired
two self-addressed and stamped legal size envelopes

Summary of process


Sites to visit
www.ecensus.com.ph - Birth certificates can be requested through the NSO website
www.immigration.gov.ph - R.A. 9226 Form No. 1 can be downloaded from here
www.dfa.gov.ph - contact information and addresses for Philippine Embassies and Consulates where applications can be filed