Eligibility quiz
Was your father a Filipino citizen when you were born?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Philippine embassy or consulate responsible for your area. This process is for a birth abroad that has not yet been registered.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Philippine embassy or consulate for Report of Birth covers your city?”
Download the application form
Download the Report of Birth form for yourself or your child.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the Report of Birth form in type or clear print and sign it by hand. Print five copies on A4 paper.
See form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in and sign the Philippines Report of Birth form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the Report of Birth.
See required documentsRequest an appointment
Email the Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Records Division at the address for the region where the birth took place. Attach scanned copies of the requirements for review before your appointment.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I request a Philippines Report of Birth appointment with the Consular Records Division?”
Go to your appointment
When your appointment is scheduled, bring the completed form and documents to the designated consular office and hand them in at the civil registration window. Pay the USD 25 consular fee at the cashier, make five copies of the receipt and return the receipt to the window.
See appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Philippines Report of Birth appointment at the Consular Records Division?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for your papers to be sent to the responsible embassy or consulate and for its registration decision. Provide any extra information it asks for.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Philippines Report of Birth registration decision take?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate or Report of Birth, and your Filipino parent’s birth certificate or Report of Birth. For a Philippine record, get an original from the Philippine Statistics Authority; for a record issued abroad, get an original or certified copy. If a birth record is unavailable for a Bureau of Immigration application, get certificates saying so from the local civil registrar where the person was born, the National Archives and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Add available alternatives, such as a baptismal certificate, your or your parents’ Philippine Statistics Authority marriage certificate, a full sibling’s birth certificate, or a Philippine Statistics Authority death certificate if the person has died.
Parent's citizenship records
For a Bureau of Immigration application, provide a copy of your Filipino parent’s valid passport photo page and their sworn statement that they were Filipino when you were born, including whether they acquired another citizenship. If your parent was recognised as Filipino, add certified copies of their approval order, Department of Justice endorsement and identification certificate; if they became a citizen of another country, add a copy of their naturalisation or citizenship certificate. If they retained or regained Philippine citizenship, add certified copies of their approval order, oath of allegiance and certificate of retention or reacquisition; your consulate may also ask for proof of your parent’s identity or Philippine citizenship.
Considerations
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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