"Philippine citizenship can never be treated like a commodity

that can be claimed when needed and suppressed when convenient."

- Yu vs. Defensor-Santiago, 169 SCRA 364, 379 (1989)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

The requirements indicated below are basic requirements needed for filing a petition for the reacquisition of Philippine citizenship. The Citizenship Division may request for other supporting documents not listed below as the unique circumstances of the petitioner warrants.

A. For Principal Petitioners:

1. Two (2) copies, signed and completed RA 9225 Application Form (download here)
2. Two (2) photocopies, proof of that the petitioner was a natural-born Philippine citizenship
   • Any of the following proofs of Philippine citizenship are acceptable:
     • Philippine Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines) or Report of Birth (if born abroad)
     • Philippine Marriage Certificate (if married in the Philippines) or Report of Marriage (if married abroad)
3. Two (2) photocopies, data page of latest Philippine passport
   • If the latest Philippine passport can no longer be located, the petitioner may instead provide two (2) completed and signed Affidavits of Explanation, explaining in detail the circumstances by which the passport was lost.  This comes at an additional processing fee of GBP 23.00 which must be paid via postal money order (for UK residents) or bank draft (Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey residents).
   • Download a template of the Affidavit here.
4. Two (2) photocopies, Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration
   • Petitioners who misplaced their copy may request for a new one from the government of their foreign citizenship.
   • An official English translation authenticated by the issuing foreign embassy must be provided for documents issued in a non-English language.
   • Spanish citizens may submit a copy of their Certificación Literal with an official English translation
5. Latest foreign passport
6. Two (2) photocopies, data page of latest foreign passport
7. Five (5) pieces, passport-size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) identical photographs on white background
8. Processing fee, GBP 46.00 payable via postal money order (for UK residents) or bank draft (for Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey residents)
   • PAYEE must appear as PHILIPPINE EMBASSY LONDON
   • Postal money orders may be obtained from the nearest post office
9. Special delivery envelope paid up to 500g (available at the post office. Click to view sample)
   • We will use this to return your petition in the event it is disapproved.
   • Special delivery envelopes may be obtained from the nearest post office
   • Do not forget to write your name and delivery address on the 'TO' field of the envelope
   • Non-UK residents (Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey) may consider purchasing pre-paid postage online through this link
10. Two (2) photocopies, supporting documents for petitioners with special circumstances:

B. For Dependent Petitioners

Dependent petitioners are biological or adoptive children of the Principal Petitioner who are 17 years or younger at the time the petition is filed. Children of Principal Petitioners who are 18 years and older must file a separate petition since they no longer qualify as Dependent Petitioners. 

1. Five (5) pieces, identical passport-size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) photographs on white background

2. Two (2) photocopies, Philippine-issued Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines) or Report of Birth (if born abroad)

• If the dependent petitioner was born after his/her parents became naturalised as foreign citizens, a copy of the foreign Birth Certificate (long form) may be provided in lieu of the Philippine-issued Birth Certificate / Report of Birth.  However, a Report of Birth must be filed immediately at the Philippine Embassy of his/her place of birth after his / her parent/s' oath taking.

3. Two (2) photocopies, data page of latest Philippine passport (if applicable)

4. Two (2) photocopies, Certficiate of Naturalisation or Registration

5. Two (2) photocopies, data page of latest foreign passport

7. Processing fee, GBP 23.00 paid through postal money order (for UK residents) or bank draft (Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey applicants)

• PAYEE must appear as PHILIPPINE EMBASSY LONDON

STEPS

1. Prepare a complete set of your documentary requirements.
   • Each set must be stapled or clipped together with the supporting documents arranged in the following order:
     • Application Form
     • Philippine Birth Certificate
     • Marriage Certificate (if married)
     • Deceased Spouse's Death Certificate (for widow/ers)
     • Philippine passport data page
     • Certificate of Naturalisation
     • Foreign passport data page
2. Post the two (2) complete sets of your documentary requirements to the Citizenship Division, Philippine Embassy, 6 Suffolk Street, London, SW1Y 4HG.
3. Visit the Philippine Embassy in London on your confirmed Oath-Taking schedule and complete the following steps:

1. Sign all relevant documents at the Philippine Citizenship Waiting Area.
2. Proceed to the Consul’s Office for the briefing and oath-taking.
3. Take the Oath of Allegiance.

PROCESSING TIME:

• Petitioners will be informed by email or post regarding the decision given on their petition within 7 working days from the date the Citizenship Division receives the petition.
• The petitioner's oath taking schedule will depend on the date he or she selects through the RA 9225 oath taking appointment portal. The appointment for portal for oath taking ceremonies is provided privately to each successful petitioner and therefore cannot be booked through VFS Global Services.

Important Reminders:

• Applicants must provide their personal email address on the application form. Spouses and family members must provide separate email addresses on their petition.
• Incomplete submissions will immediately be returned to the petitioner.  The Philippine Embassy is not liable for the loss of any documents sent by petitioners.
• Applicants must bring the original supporting documents on the date of their oath taking ceremony.
• Pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, applications deemed incomplete will be returned to the applicant.  Applications submitted without a self-addressed envelope and stamp will be destroyed through a secure shredding process.
• The Embassy may request additional supporting documents as circumstances warrant.
• Applicants without the required civil registry documents (Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc.) may request for the said documents through the Philippine Statistics Authority’s online facility.
  
• The Oath-taking ceremony shall take place at the Philippine Embassy, 10 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG.  Upon approval of the petition, the Citizenship Officer will email the petitioner a link to the Oath Taking booking portal.  Spouses who are successful petitioners must book separate appointment slots and individually register for an oath taking appointment to avoid any inconveniences or delays during the oath taking ceremony. This is separate from the VFS Appointment Portal for other consular services.
• As a courtesy to other successful petitioners, those who have been provided the link to the appointment portal for their oath taking are requested to refrain from making multiple bookings.  In the event that an applicant wishes change his/her booking, he/she is requested to make sure that he/she cancels the initial booking.  In the event of multiple bookings made by a single applicant, the system will automatically cancel the earlier booking schedules.  For example, if Juan dela Cruz initially books an appointment for 15 January 2021 but then manages to book a schedule for 02 January 2021 without cancelling his initial booking of 15 January 2021, the system will automatically cancel his booking for 02 January 2021.
• Successful petitioners must book a separate appointment for passport application should they wish to apply for a new Philippine passport.  They are also expected to bring a complete set of documentary requirements.  For more information, please refer to this link.

Useful link

Frequently Asked Questions on the Retention / Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship