Law Summary
Filing Procedures for Applicants in the Philippines
- Submit a verified petition for retention or reacquisition of citizenship to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
- If registered as an alien, request cancellation of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and relevant certificates.
- Upon approval, receive a Certificate of Re-acquisition/Retention of Philippine Citizenship (CRPC).
- Option to apply for a Philippine passport thereafter.
Filing Procedures for Applicants Abroad
- File a verified petition with the nearest Philippine Foreign Post.
- Include request for cancellation of Alien Certificate of Registration and related documents if registered as alien.
- Philippine Foreign Posts authorized to issue CRPC.
- May apply for a Philippine passport after reacquisition/retention.
Petition Requirements and Documentation
- Petition must include:
- Full name as per foreign naturalization documents, and previous name(s) if changed.
- Latest forwarding address.
- Date and place of birth, civil status.
- Parents’ names and citizenship at applicant’s birth.
- Child beneficiary details, if any.
- Attach two recent passport size photos with royal blue background.
Fees and Payment
- Processing fee for applicants in the Philippines: PHP 2,500.
- Processing fee for applicants abroad: USD 50 or equivalent.
- Separate fees for each beneficiary.
Proof of Natural-Born Citizenship
- Presumption in favor of applicant being a natural-born citizen unless proven otherwise.
- Acceptable documents include birth certificate, old Philippine passport, voter’s affidavit/ID, marriage contract indicating citizenship, or other acceptable proof.
- Bureau’s Alien Registration Division verification required if documents are Bureau-issued.
Resolution of Name Discrepancies
- Affidavit explaining name differences must be submitted.
- Attach supporting documents demonstrating correct name.
- Order of approval will reflect birth name and alias.
- Correction of birth certificate entries must be reflected in orders and certificates.
- Foreign documents must be authenticated by Philippine Consulate.
Oath of Allegiance
- Mandatory oath affirming support for the Philippine Constitution and allegiance to the Republic.
- Oath administered by authorized BI official or Philippine Foreign Post personnel.
- Exceptions allowed only with written justification.
Submission of Certificate of Naturalization
- Applicants must submit photocopy of Certificate of Naturalization.
- If unavailable, affidavit explaining acquisition of foreign citizenship is acceptable.
Processing and Approval Procedures
- Petitions are filed at BI or Philippine Foreign Post.
- Pre-evaluation done for deficiencies; deficient petitions returned for correction.
- Complete petitions assigned to evaluating officer for immediate disposition.
- Approved petitions forwarded for signature by Commissioner or Consul-General.
- Cancellation of alien registration documents coordinated between BI and Foreign Post.
- Applicants given 30 days to submit missing documents or petition will not be granted.
- Written notice given if applicant cannot prove former citizenship.
Final Act of Retention/Reacquisition
- Taking the Oath of Allegiance constitutes final act.
- In the Philippines, preferably administered by BI Commissioner or authorized official.
- Abroad, administered by Consul General or authorized foreign service officer.
Records Management
- BI Records Section maintains all application documents.
- Official copies of CRPC and Oath of Allegiance sent to National Statistics Office (NSO) for record.
Issuance of Copies and Correction of Clerical Errors
- Applicants provided official copies of Order of Approval and Oath of Allegiance.
- CRPC must indicate Philippine citizenship under R.A. No. 9225 and A.O. No. 91, series 2004.
- Clerical errors may be corrected upon written request and approval.
- NSO must be furnished with corrected documents promptly.
Confidentiality of Records
- Information and documents submitted remain confidential.
- Disclosure only with express written consent of the applicant.
Beneficiaries and Children
- Children under 18 (legitimate, illegitimate or adopted) included as beneficiaries if listed and fees paid.
- Beneficiaries must submit birth certificate and foreign passport photocopies.
- Children 18 or older born when parent was Filipino may apply independently if proof is shown.
- Adoption decrees required for adopted beneficiaries, duly authenticated if issued abroad.
Application to Citizens Who Became Aliens After R.A. 9225
- Rules also apply to those who naturalized abroad after the law’s effectivity date.
Automated System Implementation
- Petitions filed at BI incorporated into automated system for efficiency.
- Orders and certificates are system-generated and signed by Commissioner.
- Foreign Posts use digitized certificate formats provided by BI.
Exemption from Administrative Review
- Retention/reacquisition petitions are exempt from Secretary of Justice affirmation.
- Department of Justice may revoke approvals for fraud after administrative hearing.
- BI remains under administrative supervision of Secretary of Justice.
- Monthly reports of approvals submitted to DOJ.
Repealing and Effectivity Provisions
- Inconsistent prior memoranda circulars are repealed or modified.
- This memorandum circular takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.