Eligibility quiz
Were you born in the Philippines and have you lived in the Philippines since birth?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Philippine passport
Philippine citizens can apply for a passport in the Philippines or, depending on where they live, at an embassy or consulate abroad.
A passport expires and needs to be renewed separately from citizenship.
Live in the Philippines for life
Citizenship does not expire and lets you live in the Philippines without a residence visa or its renewal.
Study in the Philippines
Philippine citizens can study in the Philippines.
Work in the Philippines
Philippine citizens can work and do business in the Philippines.
Some professions require a licence or other qualifications.
Get help abroad
Philippine citizens can use embassy and consulate services abroad, including passport services.
Own land and property
Philippine citizens can own land and other real property in the Philippines.
Vote and run for office
Qualified Philippine citizens can vote and hold public office.
Voting at a polling place in the Philippines requires living in the area for the required time.
Registered citizens abroad who qualify can vote in national elections for president, vice-president, senators and party-list or sectoral representatives.
How to apply
Applying at a national officeApplying at a national office
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the Special Committee on Naturalization and the Bureau of Immigration.
See required documentsFill in your petition
Complete and sign the Petition for Naturalization, then have it notarized.
Find petition instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete and notarize a Philippines Petition for Administrative Naturalization?”
Hand in your petition
Bring the original petition and supporting documents, plus five photocopied sets, to the Special Committee on Naturalization Secretariat. Arrange the sets in the order on the checklist and present the originals when you submit them.
Find the filing officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit a Philippines Petition for Administrative Naturalization to the Special Committee on Naturalization Secretariat?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the committee to review your petition. Send any additional documents it asks for.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Philippines Petition for Administrative Naturalization?”
Take your oath
If your petition is approved, complete the Oath of Allegiance.
Find oath instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Oath of Allegiance after Philippines administrative naturalization is approved?”
Get your naturalization documents
Obtain your Petition for Naturalization, Certificate of Naturalization and Oath of Allegiance for the Bureau of Immigration process.
Find document instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I obtain my Philippines administrative naturalization documents from the Special Committee on Naturalization?”
Get the immigration checklist
Get the Bureau of Immigration checklist for cancellation of your alien registration after administrative naturalization.
Find the checklistSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Philippines Bureau of Immigration checklist for cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Submit your immigration documents
Submit your documents to the Bureau of Immigration Central Receiving Unit for an initial review. Bring the original and three photocopied sets.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit documents to the Philippines Bureau of Immigration for cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Get your payment slip
Receive the Order of Payment Slip from the Bureau of Immigration.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get an Order of Payment Slip for Philippines Bureau of Immigration cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Pay the immigration fee
Pay the Bureau of Immigration fee using your payment slip.
Find how to paySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Philippines Bureau of Immigration fee for cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Submit your receipt
Submit your official payment receipt to the Bureau of Immigration.
Find receipt instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit my payment receipt for Philippines Bureau of Immigration cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Wait for immigration’s decision
Wait for the Bureau of Immigration to decide your request. Respond if it asks for more documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply for Philippines Bureau of Immigration cancellation of alien registration by administrative naturalization?”
Claim your identification certificate
If your request is approved, claim your identification certificate from the Bureau of Immigration. You can then use it as identification as a Filipino citizen.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I claim my Philippines Bureau of Immigration Identification Certificate after administrative naturalization?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get an authenticated copy of your birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority, plus five photocopies. If you have minor children, include their birth certificates in the same form; after your petition is granted, the Bureau of Immigration also asks for your original birth certificate and three photocopies.
Marriage certificates *
Get an authenticated copy of your parents’ marriage certificate and, if you are married, your own from the Philippine Statistics Authority, with five photocopies of each. If your marriage was annulled or you are legally separated, add a certified true copy of the court decision and five photocopies; after your petition is granted, the Bureau of Immigration also asks for your parents’ original marriage certificate or contract and three photocopies.
* Only if your parents married, you married, or your petition is granted.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military or civil service
Philippine citizens may be required by law to perform military or civil service to defend the country.
Public office restrictions
Citizens with another citizenship must meet extra conditions for public office, including giving up their other citizenship in a sworn statement.
Candidates must do this personally when filing, and people appointed to office must also make the required sworn statement.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship can be lost under the law, including by giving it up through actions or a failure to act that counts as giving it up.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats In The Philippines
English Facebook group for people living in the Philippines interested in Filipino citizenship
Join on FacebookDual Citizenship USA/Philippines
English Facebook group for people interested in Filipino citizenship
Join on FacebookPhilippines Expats
English Facebook group for people living in the Philippines interested in Filipino local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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