Dual Citizenship

The following will be presented to the Admission Officer:

1. Valid Philippine Passport or original Identification Certificate (IC) issued by
the Bureau of Immigration
2. Valid Foreign Passport
Usual admission requirements for Filipinos will apply for dual citizens. However,
school documents coming from education institutions outside the Philippines should
be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country
origin. The following should be submitted to the Admission Officer:
1. Original ADDU Notice of Acceptance
2. Authenticated High School Report Card/ Official Transcript of Records*
3. Certificate of good moral character (if school is in the Philippines)
4. NSO Authenticated Birth Certificate (plus 4 copies) [Municipal Form 102], if
born in the Philippines
5. Authenticated Birth Register, if born in other countries (plus 4 copies)*
6. NSO Authenticated Marriage Contract [Municipal Form 97-F.13](for married
applicants)
7. Medical Certificate from the University Clinic (plus 3 copies)
8. Four 11 inch photos
9. Interview by Admissions Committee
* to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the
country of origin.
The following will be submitted to the Admission Officer in addition to the admission
requirements mentioned above:

1. Photocopy of Valid Philippine Passport Bio-page (where name, passport

number, photo, birthdate appear) and/or Photocopy of Identification Certificate
(IC) from the Bureau of Immigration
1. Photocopy of Order of Approval from the Bureau of Immigration
A student applicant who has the Identification Certificate (IC) or Order of Approval
from the Bureau of Immigration or a valid Philippine Passport does not need to apply
for Special Study Permit or Student Visa. They are also required to take NSTP courses
during their course of study in the University.
For more information on how to get the Identification Certificate (IC) and Order of
Approval, please contact the Bureau of Immigration (near Victoria Plaza, Bajada,
Davao City) or go to the Bureau of Immigration website. Application forms and
checklist of requirements on dual citizenship are posted in the site. If you are currently
not in the Philippines, kindly go to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate in
your area.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Republic Act 9225 known as Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003
1. What is Republic Act No. 9225?
Republic Act No. 9225 is an Act making the citizenship of Filipinos who acquire
foreign citizenship permanent, amending for the purpose Commonwealth Act No. 63.
RA 9225, 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.
There former Filipinos can re-acquire/retain their Philippine citizenship by taking the
oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
2. Who is a natural-born Filipino citizen?
Under the Philippine Constitution, a natural-born citizen is a person born of one or
both parents who are Filipino citizens at the time of birth.
3. Does the law RA 9225 apply to dual citizens?
RA 9225 does not apply to dual citizens, i.e., those who have both Philippine
citizenship as well as foreign citizenship not acquired through naturalization.
a. A child born of parents who are both Filipino citizens (at the time of birth) in a
country that adheres to the jus soli principle (e.g., the United States) is a dual citizen.

The child, who is a natural-born Filipino because the Philippines adheres to the jus
sanginis principle, is also entitled to apply for a US passport.
b. Jus soli (right of soil) is the legal principle that a persons nationality at birth is
determined by the place of birth (i.e., the territory of a given state).
c. Jus sanguinis (right of blood) is the legal principle that, at birth, an individual
acquires the nationality of his/her natural parent/s.
d. A child born of one parent who is a Filipino citizen (at the time of birth) and of one
foreign parent (e.g., Australian) whose country adheres to the jus sanguinis principle
is a dual citizen and is entitled to apply for both Philippine and Australian passports.
e. A child born of one parent who is a Filipino citizen (at the time of birth) and of one
foreign parent (e.g, Australian) whose country adheres to the jus sanguinis principle in
a country that adheres to the jus soli principle (e.g., US) would be entitled to apply for
Philippine, Australian and US passports.
1. How do I prove that I am a natural-born Filipino?
A former natural-born citizen, who was born in the Philippines, shall submit the NSOauthenticated copy of his or her birth certificate.
A former natural-born citizen, who was born abroad, shall present a copy of the
Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate and, in applicable
cases, the original copy of the Birth Certificate by competent foreign authorities.
2. What is the procedure in applying and what documents are required in order to
apply?
a. Applicant shall present a copy of his/her Birth Certificate issued or dulyauthenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Manila.
(Note: Applicants can request for an authenticated birth certificate from the National
Statistics Office on-line through the following website: www.ecensus.com.ph)
In case of no records found, applicant must present a Certificate of Non-Availability
of Birth Record from the NSO and other secondary documentary proof of being a
former natural-born Filipino citizen (e.g. old Philippine passport, baptismal certificate,
marriage certificate of applicants parents)

b. Applicant accomplishes form entitled Petition for Dual Citizenship and

Issuance of Identification Certificate (IC) pursuant to RA 9225 and attaches three (3)
2 x2 photographs showing the front, left side and right side views of the applicant.
c. Applicant submits duly-accomplished petition to the Philippine Consulate /
Embassy together with the photos, birth certificate and a valid ID.
(Note: Applicants who are married and who wish to use their married names must
submit a copy of their marriage certificate).
d. Applicant pays a processing fee of US$ 50.00 and is assigned a schedule for his/her
oath of allegiance before a consular officer. Applicant takes his/her oath.
e. Applicant is given the original copy of his notarized oath of allegiance together with
an Order of Approval issued by the Philippine Consulate General.
f. The Philippine Consulate General forwards to the Bureau of Immigration in Manila
the petition, oath, order of approval, and other supporting documents for issuance of
an Identification Certificate.
g. The Bureau of Immigration issues an Identification Certificate (IC) and forwards it
to the applicant through the Philippine Consulate General.
3. What is the implementing agency of RA 9225?
Bureau of Immigration (BI), in consultation with the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
Department of Justice (DOJ),
Office of the Civil Registrar-General of the National Statistics Office (NSO), as the
implementing agency of RA 9225
4. Where do I apply for re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship if I am in the
Philippines?
A former natural-born Filipino citizen who is already in the Philippines and registered
in the Bureau of Immigration shall file a petition under oath to the Commissioner of
Immigration for the cancellation of the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and
issuance of an Identification Certificate (IC) as the case may be, under RA 9225.

A former natural-born citizen who is already in the Philippines but has not registered
with the BI within 60 days from date of arrival shall file a petition under oath to the
Commissioner of Immigration for the issuance of an IC under RA 9225.
5. Where do I apply for re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship if I am overseas?
A former natural-born citizen who is abroad but is a BI-registered alien shall file a
petition under oath to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for evaluation.
Thereafter, the Embassy or Consulate shall forward the entire records to the
Commissioner of Immigration for the cancellation of the ACR and issuance of an IC
under RA 9225.
A former natural-born citizen who is abroad and is not a BI-registered alien shall file a
petition under oath to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for the issuance of
an IC under RA 9225.
6. What is the Oath of Allegiance?
The Oath of Allegiance is the final act that confers Philippine citizenship. It reads as
follows:
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.
7. Can the conferment of Philippine citizenship be revoked?
The conferment of Philippine citizenship under the IRR shall no longer be subject to
the affirmation by the Secretary of Justice. However, Philippine citizenship may be
revoked by competent authority upon a substantive finding of fraud, misrepresentation
or concealment on the part of the applicant.
8. Can my foreign spouse also become a Filipino citizen under RA 9225?
No, the law does not apply to the foreign spouse. He/she has the following option if
he/she wishes to reside permanently in the Philippines: (a) apply for naturalization; (b)
apply for a permanent resident visa.
9. Can my children (minor or aged 18 years old or over) also acquire Philippine
citizenship under RA 9225?
According to Section 4 of RA 9225 (Derivative Citizenship), the unmarried child,
whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, of those

who re-acquire Philippine citizenship under this Act shall be deemed citizens of the
Philippines.
A married child, although a minor, cannot therefore be included in the petition of
his/her parent.
Children 18 years old and over do not qualify to acquire Philippine citizenship under
RA 9225. They have the same options that are open to the foreign spouse.
10. What is the procedure for derivative acquisition of Philippine citizenship? The
petition under oath has the option to list the names and details of any minor,
unmarried children. The applicant should include a copy of the Report of Birth and the
original copy of Record of Birth for each minor child.
The Embassy will clarify from Bureau of Immigration the exact procedure in case of
the minor children and whether the BI will issue to them a Certificate of
Identification.
11. After I have re-acquired Philippine citizenship, can I apply for a Philippine
passport?
Yes, and so can the minor children who are deemed to have acquired Philippine
citizenship under RA 9225. You would need to comply with the requirements for firsttime passport applicants.
12. What rights and privileges will dual citizens enjoy?
Those who retain or reacquire their Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225 shall enjoy
full civil and political rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and
responsibilities under existing laws of the Philippines and the following conditions: a.
Those intending to exercise their right of suffrage must meet the requirements under
Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as
The Overseas Absentee Voting Act 0f 2003 and other existing laws.
b. Under the Act, 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 those who are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers
in the armed forces of the country which they are naturalized citizens.
c. Those seeking elective public office in the Philippines shall meet the qualifications
for holding such public office as required by the Constitution and existing laws and, at
the time of filing of the certificate of candidacy, make a personal and sworn
renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to
administer an oath.

d. Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an oath of
allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior
to their assumption of office; provided, that they renounce their oath of allegiance to
the country where they took that oath.
13. Can I now acquire land and other properties or engage in business?
As provided for under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a Filipino citizen is entitled to
purchase land and other properties and engage in business. There is no limit in terms
of area or size of land or real property he/she could acquire/purchase under his/her
name. This right would now apply to former natural-born Filipinos who have reacquired Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.
14. Can I now reside in the Philippines without having to apply for entry visa?
Former natural born Filipinos who have re-acquired Philippine citizenship may now
reside in the Philippines continuously without having to apply for entry visa. If the
foreign spouse and/or child wish to also reside permanently in the Philippines, they
may opt to apply for naturalization as a Filipino citizen or apply for a permanent
resident visa.
If he/she does not wish to reside permanent in the Philippines, he/she could visit the
country as a Balikbayan (refers to a Filipino citizen who is out of the country
continuously for at least one year). The foreign spouse or child may enter the country
and stay for up to a year visa-free provided the spouse or child is accompanying or
traveling with the Balikbayan when the Balikbayan goes home to the Philippines.
15. As a dual citizen, how long can I stay in the Philippines?
Having reacquired your citizenship, you can stay in the Philippines for as long as you
want without having to pay an immigration fees. You can even choose to retire or
permanently settle back in the Philippines. As a Filipino citizen, you are subject to
duties and other obligations imposed on other ordinary Filipinos, such as paying the
necessary community tax residence and other tax liabilities in accordance with the tax
laws of the Philippines.
16. Will I now be required to pay income tax and other taxes? Am I exempt from
paying the travel tax?
In accordance with existing laws, income earned in the Philippines is subject to the
payment of tax. Filipinos who re-acquire citizenship and opt to reside and work in the
Philippines will pay the income tax due at the end of each fiscal year. They are also
subject to other obligations and liabilities, such as the community tax and residence
tax.

Countries routinely forge bilateral agreements in order that their respective citizens
who earn income overseas do not pay income tax twice.
Filipinos who have re-acquired citizenship, as long as they reside permanently
overseas, also enjoy the travel tax exemption extended to Filipino citizens
permanently residing in other countries, the OFWs and their dependents.
17. As a dual citizen, am I allowed to practice my profession in the Philippines (e.g.
doctor) ?
Under the law, those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines shall
apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such practice.
18. If I need to get more details on the rules and procedures for the implementation of
RA 9225, which government office do I contact in the Philippines? Under
Administrative Order No. 92 Series of 2004 dated 12 January 2004, the Bureau of
Immigration has been designated as the government agency in charge of formulating
the rules and procedures for the implementation of Republic Act No. 9225.