Dual Citizenship

This article will guide you through applying for a dual citizenship if and only if you are already a United States of America citizen through naturalization and was a Filipino citizen by birth. The guide may also apply under other condition, but does not provide any guarantee. Listed also are the things you can have and do when you are both a citizen of the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines.

WARNING: You must visit the Consulate General office of your jurisdiction for their own requirements. This guide is using the Philippine Consulate General New York requirements. 

Facts On Dual Citizenship (U.S.A. - Philippines)

Basic factual information will be listed below. For detailed information, visit your Philippine Consulate.

• Leaving the U.S.A., you show your U.S. passport.
• Arriving in the Philippines, you show your U.S. and Philippine passport.*
• Leaving the Philippines, you show your U.S. and Philippine passport.*
• Arriving in the U.S.A. from the Philippines, you show your U.S. passport.
• Traveling from the U.S.A. to other countries other than the Philippines, you show your U.S. passport.
• Traveling from the Philippines to other countries, you show your U.S. and Philippine passport.*
• There is no time limit staying in the Philippines. Non-Filipino citizens are only allowed to stay in the Philippines for a maximum of one (1) year without visa.
• You have the right to practice your profession in the Philippines.
• You have the right to engage in business or commerce as a Filipino.
• You have the right to vote in the elections under existing laws:
  • If registered outside the Philippines, absentee voting only covers national elections.
  • If registered in the Philippines, you are not qualified in the absentee voting, but you can vote in your precinct for any election.
  • You are only allowed to be registered in one (1) precint, meaning if you are registered in the Philippines and wish to register outside the Philippines, you must first request a transfer ad vice-versa.
• If you have income in the Philippines, you must file income tax in the Philippines.**
• You have the right to own real property both in the Philippines and U.S.A.
• If you have real property in the Philippines, you must pay the property tax.
• You are not prohibited from running for a government office, but you must renounce your U.S.A. citizenship.
• You are not prohibited to join the Philippine military, but you must renounce your U.S.A. citizenship. And vice-versa.
• The U.S.A. government does not know that you are a Filipino citizen; it recognizes you still as an U.S.A. citizen.
• You can line-up anywhere upon arriving at any Philippine international airport immigration.
• You basically have the rights and priveleges enjoyed by American and Filipino citizens.

Requirements:
3 pieces of 2″x2″ photo (U.S. passport photo dimension)
3 pieces of 1½”x1½” photo (Philippine passport photo dimension)*
2 photocopies of your old Philippine passport***
2 photocopies of your valid U.S. passport
2 photocopies of your U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
Original copy of your old Philippine passport***
Original copy of your valid U.S. passport
Original copy of your U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
Dual Citizenship Form
Passport Application Form
$100.00 in cash or money order
Quarters ($0.25 coins) in case you need to make copies of documents

Procedure:

1. Fill out the Dual Citizenship Form competely and legibly. Sign the first page where instructed. Print name and sign the last page where agreement is located.
2. Paste the two (2) 2″x2″ photos in the first page where instructed.
3. If you choose not to apply for a Philippine passport, go to Step 5. Fill out the Philippine Passport Application Form completely and legibly. Sign the form when finished.
4. Paste one (1) 1½”x1½” photo on the form.
5. Go to the Philippine Consulate and submit both forms, original and copies of documents proving your identity.
6. The evaluating officer will evaluate the submitted requirements and will forward recommendation to the Consul General if you have fully complied.
7. The evaluating officer will brief you about dual citizenship. All your questions will be answered here, some of which can be found above.
8. You will take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines under the Consul General’s administration. Afterwhich you will be congratulated.
9. Pay the cashier.
10. Come back for your documents whenever they say it’s available for pickup.
11. Congratulations, you are now a Filipino citizen!

* You are not required to have a Philippine passport, instead you can show your certificate of citizenship. However, it is highly recommended that you have a Philippine passport so that traveling to and fro the Philippines is hassle-free.
** Taxes paid in the Philippines may be credited in the U.S.A. and vice-versa.
*** A document that proves you are natura born Filipino citizen can be (a) Philippine birth certificate, (b) old Philippine passport, (c) voter’s affidavit or voter’s identification card, (d) marriage contract.