I want to share my first-hand experience on how to apply for dual citizenship in the Philippine Embassy. I have been asked a lot by my fellow Filipinos living abroad on how to do this process of re-acquiring Filipino citizenship again after being naturalised as a citizen of another country.
Let me help you and give you the details on how to apply for dual citizenship in the Philippine Embassy.
Read more: 5 Benefits of having Dual Citizenship (Filipino and British)
I processed this in the Philippine Embassy in London, United Kingdom. I know many of my kababayans (fellow Filipinos) are left in the limbo on what to do and what can they expect during the whole process of re-acquiring their Filipino citizenship.
How to apply for dual citizenship:
The Philippine Embassy in London made a new process to submit the required to documents first and they will send you an appointment for your Oath taking ceremony. The PH embassy might request additional documents if needed. The embassy’s document cut-off is every Wednesday, if your documents have been processed and verified before Wednesday, you can have your Oath Taking on Friday of the same week.
I applied for my re-acquisition / retention application at the Philippine Embassy – London. The application and requirements are pretty straightforward.
Requirements on how to apply for dual citizenship in the Philippine Embassy:
- Two (2) completed Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition forms. I have attached the link to the application form;
Note: This citizenship application form is from the Philippine Embassy in London. Applicants must sign their name as it appears on their foreign naturalization certificate or foreign passport. In case of a change of name, you must state the name appearing on your birth certificate or the old Philippine passport. - Original and two (2) photocopies of these documents:
- PSA copy of your Filipino birth certificate. For your minor dependent, PSA copy or UK birth certificate/ report of birth (this can also be done separately thru the embassy if the dependent is born outside the Philippines).
- Copy of your Marriage Certificate or the report of marriage if married abroad. The report of marriage can be applied thru the embassy as well.
- Your old Philippine passport and photocopies of the bio page. You will also need this for your minor dependent, if applicable.
- British Certificate of Naturalisation ( The certificate you received when you had your citizenship ceremony here in the UK. If naturalised in another country, make sure that the naturalisation certificate is translated into English). This is also applicable if your minor dependent is naturalised.
- Your foreign (UK) passport and photocopies of the bio page. You will also need this for your minor dependent, if applicable.
- Five (5) recent passport size photos. You will notice that the photo size written on the application form is different, ignore this. The passport size photos from the photo booths are fine to use. You will only need two (2) passport size photos of the minor dependent.
- The payment of £46 for the application and £23 for the minor dependent application — as of December 2020, check the embassy website just in case they will change the price. Payments must be paid via postal money order or bank draft (for Irish Applicants).
- Self-addressed, stamped, special delivery envelope with a tracking number. You can easily get this in any post office. Simply mention that you want to buy a special delivery envelope with pre-paid stamps. This is typically the silver Royal Mail plastic envelope.
Please send all these documents to:
Philippine Embassy
6 Suffolk Street, London
SW1Y 4HG
Once your documents have been processed and validated in the embassy, they will send you the Oath Taking ceremony date. You can start making the necessary travel arrangements to visit the Philippine Embassy in London. The Oath taking ceremonies are held in the Philippine Embassy every Friday, at 11 am.
LOOKING FOR A HOTEL NEAR THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN LONDON, UK?
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
What to expect during my Filipino Citizenship Oath Taking?
On the day of your Oath taking as a Filipino Citizen in the Philippine Embassy, you will be asked to wait in the Waiting area. You will also be asked to check and sign all the relevant documents needed on the day.
They will ask you to proceed to the Consul’s office for a little briefing. They will discuss with you your gained rights and benefits as a dual citizen and as a Filipino.
After that, the Consul will start the program so you can pledge and take the Oath of Allegiance as a Filipino Citizen. The Consul will award you the certificate of your Filipino Citizenship Oath taking.
You can also have the opportunity to submit a Philippine e-passport application for an additional £55.00, together with the other requirements required for passport application. You MUST BOOK A SEPARATE APPOINTMENT TIME for the same day you will take your Oath Taking in the Philippine Embassy.
You can find most of the required application forms on the Philippine Embassy website.
LOOKING FOR A HOTEL NEAR THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN LONDON, UK?
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
What is Retention/Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship?
The Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 of the Philippine constitution is granting an opportunity to retain or re-acquire Filipino citizenship to the natural-born Filipino who lost their Philippine citizenship through naturalisation in a foreign country. Depending on your newly acquired foreign nationality, this retention/reacquisition will give you the privilege to become a dual citizen.
Do I have to renounce my Filipino Citizenship after getting new foreign citizenship?
No, it is not necessary to renounce Filipino citizenship while your current Philippine passport is still valid. However, once the Philippine passport has expired, you have to apply for the retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship in your nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Can I renounce my Filipino dual citizenship?
Yes, you can renounce your Filipino dual citizenship. You need to submit all the necessary supporting documents including the completed Affidavit of Renunciation of Philippine Citizenship and the processing fee, and a self-addressed special delivery envelope.
Do you need dual citizenship to go to the Philippines?
No, you do not need to have dual citizenship to go to the Philippines. As a former Filipino, you can avail of the Balikbayan Visa to stay in the Philippines for a year visa-free.
I hope that this blog post will guide you on how to apply for dual citizenship in the Philippine Embassy wherever you might be in the world. I wrote another blog post about the Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published on Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British – Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history and culture.
HI
GOOD AFTERNOON I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR MY DUAL CITEZENSHIP SO I CAN VOTE NEXT ELECTION HOW CAN I GET THE APPOINTMENT FOR MY DUAL APPLICATION.
MANY THANKS,
RIZALINA MASSINGHAM
So am I correct that my wife’s Philippine Citizenship does not expire until the expiry of her current Philippine passport (in Oct. 2022) notwithstanding she acquired UK Citizenship (in Nov. 2019) ?
Yes, That’s correct. In case she wants to renew her PH passport before Oct 2022, she needs to apply for dual citizenship first at the same time renew her PH passport.
Hi,
I am a naturalised British and hold a UK passport and want to apply for a Philippine passport to be a dual citizen can I use affidavit of birth certificate which issued by my municipality when I got married as they cannot find my birth certificate. Will this be acceptable for a dual Philippines passport application? I would appreciate your reply by email.
Thanking you
Hi Aliana, The Philippine Embassy requires PSA certified Birth Certificate. You can request this online via https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/#! they can also send it here in the UK.
Did you send the original philippine and foreign passport with your application or just the photocopies?
Hi Good Afternoon,
I would just like to ask for a better clarification.
In the requirements on how to apply for dual citizenship, when you had mentioned ”Original and two (2) photocopies”
Do you meant by?
– 1 x Original Filipino Birth Certificate
– 1 x Philippine Passport (current or expired)
– 1 x Original British Certificate of Naturalisation
– 1 x UK Passport
And then, 2 x photocopies of each of all of these documents and passports? does the documents must be copied in coloured? or just the 2 copies of bio page of each passports?
And when you had mentioned ”The payment of £46 for the application”, do you meant by, a copy of the bank payment statement transferred?
How long does it take for the Embassy to complete the process of application?
I am sort of skeptical when sending original documents and passports. Therefore, I asked. I will be more than glad to receive an email from you in regards of my other questions.
Thank you in advance, and I am looking forward hearing from you..
Did you get any clarification? I am also wondering if only photocopies of the documents can be sent. The official website states ‘2 copies’ with regards to the requirements, with no mention of wether originals are required.
Hello just stumbled on you post since I cant start applying my daughter 14 yrs of age at the moment. I didnt recieve any certification from British embassy/passport division and the requirements is included in the list. I emailed the embassy but no reply yet , other requirements are ready but that paper is holding me back to submit the application. I need to send her back ASAP. But she needs to get dual she will stay there for a long time.
Thanks
What if I want to travel to Schengen countries after my UK citizenship oath taking (September 2022) but I don’t have a British passport yet? I don’t think it will arrive in time for my October trip. Will I still be able to use my Philippine passport (expiry July 2032) with a Schengen Visa?
Hi Liz, On the day of your naturalisation as a British citizen, you will receive a certificate of naturalisation. You can use that in submitting your application for the Schengen Visa. Since you will still be using your PH passport when you travel, you still need to secure a visa. However, the certificate will be a great help.
Hi Zany,
We bought a ticket to the Philippines using my filipino passport and in between got my british passport but with a different name. Am I allowed to use my passport to the philippines? (I dont have dual citizenship).
Hi Gigi, You may use your British passport to enter the Philippines even if you are not (yet) a dual citizen. My concern is the flight ticket, some airlines would prefer to have the same name on the booking and the passport that will be used to travel. If you change your name through marriage, please bring your marriage certificate when you travel to explain the change of name. All the best!
Hi Ryazan. I am reading your articles about applying for dual citizenship, for my wife Ruby with grat interest.
But I am confused over the statement you made below:
‘Applicants must sign their name as it appears in their foreign naturalization certificate or foreign passport. In case of change of name, you must state the name appearing in your birth certificate or the old Philippine passport.’
My wife and I married here in the UK, so a change of name has occurred. Today she is naturalised British and holds a British Passport. Her original Philippine passport expired during Covid lockdown and is now well out of date and no longer valid.
Which name does sjhe use to sign her documents? The one in her current, valid passport, or the one in her old, non-valid passport?
Please advise on which documents I need to provide to show a legal change of name has taken place?
I await your reply with interest and excitement.
David
Hi David, Thanks for your question. Based on your wife’s current status, she needs to use the Married name, because this is the one written on her British passport (current & valid passport).
Assuming you already reported your marriage to the Philippine embassy and her maiden name has been changed to your married name, then you must use the Married name to keep it consistent.
good day
I would just like to clarify that your British and philippine passport needs to be sent as well? As the website has not clearly specified that detail?
Many Thanks
hello i am a british and have a philippine passport which is still valid can i apply a dual citizen for this please advice me what to do thank you
Hi,
I currently have the PH passport and my UK passport is submitted for renewal. I currently reside in the Philippines. Do I need to apply for dual citizenship in PH? What if I want to leave the country using my UK passport, do I just present both to the Immigration Officer?
Hi J, you need to present whichever passport you used when you enter the PH. You can also present the two passport if you want or when the IO asked you. All the best!
Can I present 2 passport without the dual citizen certificate? I haven’t been able to apply for one.
Hi po. Can I submit documents for Dual Citizenship in person at the Embassy? Thanks!
Yes, you can. The embassy in London is currently offering a walk-in service on first come, first serve basis.
hi im former pilipino italian citizen asking for dual citizen in uk phil. imbasis is that okpo?
Hello I am a former Filipino citizen born in Philippines but my mom emigrated me in UK when I was a minor and my first name has has been changed before I went to school in UK and I became a British citizen afterwards.
I want to reacquire my Filipino citizenship but the problem now is my Philippine Birth Certificate and old Philippine passports have different First names to my current British Passport, I have a UK court stamped deed poll and British naturalisation certificate showing both my old name and current name within them.
Would I be able to apply for Dual Citizenship with these as proof or will I be rejected?
Hi, how long is the process of the application up to being given the Oath taking schedule?
I have a client who would like to take up a housing loan in the PH. She was born in Britain, but her parents still hold PH passports still. Thank you so much!
Hi Nika, usually it takes around 2 to 3 weeks depending on how busy the embassy is. They will notify you via post or email for the Oath Taking.
Hello Ryazan,
Can I use my new name via deed poll (new first name and surname) after I renounced my Filipino citizenship and then re-apply later?
For example: British passport (John Cross)
Old Philippine passport (Juan dela Cruz)
Then apply for re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship but I will use my new name instead. Thanks
Hi Jo, The Philippine Embassy follows the Philippine laws in terms of legal documents. Hence, the UK DEED POLL is not valid to change the name on your Philippine passport. The PH embassy will base your name on the PSA document – Birth certificate etc.