Law Summary
Implementing Agency and Authority
- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is designated as the implementing agency, in consultation with the DFA, DOJ, Civil Registrar-General, and NSO.
- BI authorized to issue rules and regulations to implement R.A. No. 9225.
Petition Procedures for Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship
- Former natural-born citizens already in the Philippines and BI-registered must file a petition under oath to the Commissioner of Immigration for cancellation of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and issuance of Identification Certificate (IC).
- Those abroad but BI-registered must file a petition under oath at the nearest Philippine Foreign Post for evaluation, which then forwards records to the BI Commissioner.
- Persons in the Philippines not BI-registered must file a petition under oath to the Commissioner of Immigration for issuance of an IC.
- Those abroad and not BI-registered must file a petition under oath to the nearest Philippine Foreign Post.
Required Petition Contents
- Petition must include the applicant's latest forwarding address.
- Attachment of three recent 2" x 2" photographs (front, left, right views) on a white background is mandatory.
Fees
- Applicants in the Philippines pay a processing fee of P2,500.00.
- Applicants abroad pay a US$50 equivalent fee.
- Official receipts must be attached to the petition.
Proof of Natural-Born Citizenship
- Those born in the Philippines must submit NSO-authenticated birth certificates.
- Those born abroad must submit original Report of Birth from Philippine Foreign Post and, where applicable, foreign birth certificates.
Oath of Allegiance
- Applicants must sign an Oath affirming support and defense of the Philippine Constitution and laws, acceptance of Philippine sovereignty.
Compliance and Evaluation
- Strict compliance with requirements is mandatory before filing.
- Petitions are evaluated by an assigned officer without additional proceedings.
- Applicants notified to submit missing documents within 30 days or face rejection.
- Failure to establish natural-born status results in written notice of denial.
Approval Process
- Evaluating officer submits findings within five days to the Commissioner or Consul-General.
- For applicants in the Philippines, the Commissioner issues an Order of Approval, directs cancellation of ACR if applicable, and issuance of IC.
- For applicants abroad, Consul-General issues Order of Approval, transmits documents to BI for IC issuance and ACR cancellation if applicable.
Conferment of Citizenship
- The Oath of Allegiance is the final act conferring Philippine citizenship under these Rules.
- Oath administered by Commissioner of Immigration or authorized officers in the Philippines; by Consul-General or commissioned foreign service officers abroad.
- Oath must be registered pursuant to Civil Registry laws.
Records Management
- BI Records Section maintains all documents with integrity.
- Official copies of Order of Approval and Oath of Allegiance sent to NSO.
Issuance and Correction of Identification Certificates
- Applicants receive official copies of approval and Oath.
- ICs indicate citizenship status under R.A. No. 9225 and A.O. No. 91.
- Clerical errors in ICs may be corrected upon written request and approval.
- NSO receives copies of corrected ICs.
Confidentiality
- Applications and related documents are confidential.
- Information cannot be disclosed without the applicant's written consent.
Extension to Minor Children
- Rules also apply to unmarried children under 18, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, of those reacquiring citizenship.
Limitations and Revocation
- Conferment of citizenship under these rules is exempt from administrative review by the Secretary of Justice.
- Citizenship may be revoked only upon substantive findings of fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment.
Effectivity
- The rules take effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.