Citizenship Retention & Re-acquisition (Dual Citizenship)

Former Filipinos may re-acquire their Philippine citizenship through Republic Act (RA) No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act. This law, which took effect on 17 September 2003, declares that former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under conditions provided in the Act. A former Filipino can re-acquire Philippine citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.

In view of the foregoing, the applicant is required to submit the following:

• Duly accomplished Petition under Oath
• Birth certificate issued by the NSO duly authenticated by DFA. In case the birth certificate is not available, other documentary proof of the applicant's being a former natural-born Filipino citizen.
• Old Philippine Passport
• Foreign Passport
• Certificate of Naturalization. Since the Act requires that the "loss of Philippine citizenship by the applicant must be on account of naturalization as a citizen of a foreign country", the applicant should submit documents showing the fact of his naturalization as a citizen of a foreign country.
• Authenticated marriage certificate, if married
• Authenticated death certificate, if widowed
• Annulment, if the marriage is annulled. The court decision to nullify the marriage must be certified by the proper court and authenticated by DFA.
• Divorce decree, if divorcee. It must be certified by the proper court.
• Three (3) 2 X 2 photos (white background) with the following view: left side view, front view and right side view
• Payment of consular service fee of RO. 20.000 for taking an Oath of Allegiance for the re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship

Note:

• If an applicant for dual citizenship would like to include their unmarried minor (below 18 years of age) children who were born when both parents were already non-Filipinos: submit a duplicate original or certified photocopy of the birth certificate of your children and their foreign passport.
• A child who is already 18 years old and above and was born when either of the parent was still a Filipino needs to apply for retention of citizenship on his/her own behalf.
• Order of Approval will be issued by the consular officer of the embassy which shall be the substantive proof that applicant has re-acquired/retained Philippine citizenship.
• Oath of Allegiance to be undertaken by the consular officer after the Order of Approval is issued.
• The processing of the application will take after (5) working days.