Eligibility Quiz
Were you a Philippine citizen from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect your citizenship?
Application Process
The process for re-acquiring or retaining your Philippine citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225 depends on whether you are currently in the Philippines or living abroad. In both cases, you must personally appear to take the Panunumpa ng Katapatan (Oath of Allegiance).
Option 1: Applying Abroad (Consular Route)
This is the most common route for Filipinos naturalized in other countries.
- Secure an Appointment: Visit the website of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. Most major hubs, such as Los Angeles or London, require you to book a slot through their specific online appointment portals.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather your PSA Birth Certificate, your foreign naturalization certificate, and your current foreign passport. If your name has changed (e.g., through marriage), you must provide a Report of Marriage or an Apostilled marriage certificate to bridge the name gap.
- Submit and Pay: Attend your appointment in person. A consular officer will review your original documents and collect your photocopies. You will pay the processing fees at the onsite cashier.
- Take the Oath: If your documents are in order, you will typically take the Oath of Allegiance on the same day.
- Receive Your Documents: You will be issued an Order of Approval, an Identification Certificate (IC), and a copy of your Petition of Oath of Allegiance. These prove you are once again a Philippine citizen.
Option 2: Applying in the Philippines (Bureau of Immigration)
If you are currently visiting the Philippines, you can file your petition directly with the national government.
- File the Petition: Submit your application and supporting documents to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) main office in Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, or a designated regional office.
- Legal Review: Your application is forwarded to the BI Legal Division for evaluation.
- Approval: Once the Legal Division clears your application, the Commissioner of Immigration will sign your Order of Approval.
- Oath Taking: You will be scheduled for a formal oath-taking ceremony at the BI office.
- Issuance: After the oath, the BI will issue your Identification Certificate.
Fees
Fees are generally paid in the local currency of the consulate. The amounts below are estimates based on the standard USD rates.
| Item | Cost (Approx. USD) |
|---|---|
| Principal Applicant Fee | $50.00 |
| Derivative (Dependent Child) Fee | $25.00 |
| Affidavit of Explanation (if name/data differs) | $25.00 |
| Expedite Fee (if available) | $10.00 – $15.00 |
Total Estimate: Approximately $50.00 to $75.00 for a single adult applicant.
Note: This total does not include the cost of obtaining your PSA Birth Certificate, Apostille fees for foreign documents, or the separate fee for a Philippine Passport application (approx. $60.00).
Processing Time
- Consular Appointment Wait Time: Expect to wait 1–3 months to secure an appointment slot due to high demand at major consulates.
- Consular Processing: Once you are at your appointment, the process is often completed in one day, including the oath-taking.
- Bureau of Immigration (PH) Processing: The in-country route typically takes 2–4 months from filing to the issuance of the Identification Certificate.
- Passport Issuance: After you receive your citizenship documents, applying for a Philippine passport takes an additional 4–8 weeks for printing and delivery.
- Document Validity: Your PSA Birth Certificate does not technically expire, but it must be the version printed on current security paper. Foreign documents (like marriage certificates) must be Apostilled to be recognized by Philippine authorities.