Leslie Massey
If you're a natural-born Filipino who has become an Australian citizen, you may be eligible for dual citizenship. This can be achieved through the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, also known as Republic Act No. 9225. To apply, you must submit the Petition for Dual Citizenship Application Form and supporting identification documents to the Philippine Consulate Office in your area or the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. The process includes an oath-taking ceremony, where you will take an oath of allegiance to the Philippines, and there is a processing fee of $90.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Former natural-born Filipinos who have become Australian citizens |
| Requirements | One or both parents were Filipino citizens at the time of birth |
| Applicant must be at least 18 years old | |
| Application Process | Send the Petition for Dual Citizenship Application Form and supporting identification documents to the Philippine Consulate Office of your area or to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra |
| Applicants residing outside of New South Wales who lodged their dual citizenship application with the Philippine Consulate in Sydney must travel to Sydney for their oath-taking ceremony | |
| Applicants in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania can submit applications to the Consulate in Melbourne | |
| Benefits | The right to vote in both the Philippines and Australia |
| Access to government benefits | |
| Property ownership | |
| The ability to stay long-term in both countries | |
| The ability to represent the Philippines in sports or other competitions | |
| Disadvantages | The process itself |
| The numerous documents required | |
| The processing fee of $90 | |
| The Australian government's limited ability to provide consular assistance |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for dual citizenship
To be eligible for dual citizenship in the Philippines and Australia, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a former natural-born Filipino citizen. This means that when you were born, either one or both of your parents were Filipino citizens.
- You must have subsequently become a citizen of another country, in this case, Australia.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must personally appear at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, or the Consulate in Melbourne, or the Embassy in Canberra, depending on your location. An appointment is required, and the process can usually be completed on the same day.
- You must bring or send via mail the Petition for Dual Citizenship Application Form and supporting identification documents to the relevant office.
It is important to note that if you were born outside the Philippines on or after January 17, 1973, and one of your parents was a Filipino citizen at the time of your birth, you are already a dual citizen and do not need to apply for dual citizenship. Instead, you only need to file a Report of Birth to the relevant Philippine Embassy/Consulate to be recognized as a Filipino citizen.
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Required documents for the application
When applying for Philippine dual citizenship in Australia, you will need to gather several documents to support your application. Here is a comprehensive list of the required documents:
Firstly, you must provide proof of your Philippine citizenship. This can be in the form of your original Philippine passport, a certified true copy of your birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), or a certification of your Philippine citizenship from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. If you were born outside the Philippines to Filipino parents, you will need to present your birth certificate and your parents' documents, such as their passports or birth certificates, to establish your Filipino lineage.
The next set of documents pertains to your residence in Australia. You must provide proof of your Australian citizenship or permanent resident status. Acceptable documents include your Australian passport, birth certificate (if born in Australia), or a certificate of evidence of Australian citizenship. Additionally, you will need to submit proof of your residential address in Australia. A recent utility bill, bank statement, or government-issued correspondence addressed to you and showing your name and current address can serve as valid proof.
Another essential document is a notarized affidavit of support and consent to apply for dual citizenship. This affidavit should be executed by your Filipino parent(s) if you are applying on the basis of being born to Filipino parents. In the affidavit, your parent(s) must express their consent and support for your application and acknowledge that they are aware of the implications of dual citizenship. If your Filipino parent(s) are deceased, you will need to provide proof of their death, such as a certified true copy of the death certificate.
For applicants who are at least 18 years old, a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance certificate is required. This document can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate and must be valid at the time of your application. Additionally, you must present a police clearance certificate from the Australian Federal Police or the relevant state police organization to prove that you have no criminal record in Australia.
Finally, you will need to provide a completed dual citizenship application form, which can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Australia. This form should be duly filled out, signed, and notarized. Along with the form, you may also be required to submit additional supporting documents, such as proof of name change (if applicable), marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
It is important to ensure that all documents are valid, up-to-date, and properly certified or notarized. Photocopies should be clear and legible, and translations may be necessary for documents that are not in English. It is recommended to check with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Australia for any specific requirements or updates to the document list, as requirements may change over time.
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Where to submit the application
If you are in Australia, you can submit your application for dual citizenship at the Philippine Consulate Office in your area or to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. For those in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, applications can be submitted to the Consulate in Melbourne.
If you are applying from outside of Australia, you can submit your application at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. An appointment is required, and the process is completed on the same day. If you are applying at one of the consular outreach missions, you will need to mail your documents ahead of time.
After submitting your application, you will need to take an oath of allegiance. If you applied through a consulate in Australia, you will need to travel to Sydney for the oath-taking ceremony.
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The oath of allegiance
To obtain Philippine dual citizenship in Australia, one of the crucial steps is taking the oath of allegiance. This oath is a legal declaration that signifies your loyalty and allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding and completing this part of the dual citizenship process:
"I, (state your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the land, and I do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that I renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, state, or sovereignty of which I at present a citizen or subject, and that I will support and defend and bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion."
To take the oath, you must appear in person at a designated oath-taking ceremony. These ceremonies are usually held at Philippine Embassies or Consulates, and they are often conducted by a Philippine diplomatic officer or a designated representative. You will be notified of the date, time, and venue of the oath-taking ceremony once your application for dual citizenship has been approved. It is important to note that you must bring your Australian passport and any other required documents to the ceremony.
At the oath-taking ceremony, you will be asked to stand and raise your right hand as you recite the Oath of Allegiance. This ceremony is a formal and serious affair, so it is important to dress appropriately and behave respectfully. After taking the oath, you will be presented with a certificate of citizenship, which serves as official recognition of your dual citizenship status. This certificate is an important document that you should keep safe, as you may need it for future references or when availing yourself of certain privileges and rights granted to Filipino citizens.
Taking the Oath of Allegiance is a pivotal step in obtaining Philippine dual citizenship in Australia. It signifies your commitment to the Philippines and completes your legal recognition as a Filipino citizen. Remember to follow the instructions provided by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate regarding the oath-taking ceremony, and always stay updated with the latest requirements and procedures to ensure a smooth and successful dual citizenship application process.
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Benefits of dual citizenship
Dual citizenship allows you to hold citizenship in two countries at the same time. For Filipino-Australians, this means that you can retain your Australian citizenship while also enjoying the benefits of Filipino citizenship.
One of the main benefits of dual citizenship is the ability to own property and live, work, or retire in either country. Dual citizens have the right to own land and property in the Philippines and can easily engage in business or commerce as a Filipino citizen. This provides individuals with more options and flexibility when planning for their future.
Another advantage of dual citizenship is the ease of international travel. Dual citizens can travel with both their Filipino and Australian passports, and Australian passport holders are granted visa-free entry to 180 countries worldwide. This makes navigating border controls much simpler and provides more opportunities for visa-free travel.
In addition, dual citizenship allows individuals to immerse themselves in the culture of both countries and learn about their history, language, and way of life. This can lead to a richer, more diverse cultural understanding and a broader perspective on the world.
For those with family in both countries, dual citizenship can provide additional benefits. A Filipino dual citizen can apply for permanent resident visas for their non-Filipino spouse and children, allowing them to reside in the Philippines if desired. This can help keep families together and provide more options for those with loved ones in both countries.
Lastly, dual citizenship gives individuals the right to vote in both countries' elections. This provides a sense of political engagement and allows individuals to have a say in the laws and policies that affect them, regardless of their physical location.
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Frequently asked questions
You are eligible for dual citizenship if you are a former natural-born Filipino citizen, and at least one of your parents was a Filipino citizen when you were born. You must also be a citizen of another country and be at least 18 years old.
You will need to complete an Application for Retention/Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship form and provide supporting identification documents. This includes your birth certificate, and the data pages of both your Philippine and foreign passports, whether valid or expired.
You can submit your application by mail or in person at the Philippine Consulate Office of your area or to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. If you are in Victoria, South Australia, or Tasmania, you can submit your application to the Consulate in Melbourne.
Benefits of dual citizenship include the right to vote in both the Philippines and Australia, access to government benefits in both countries, property ownership, and the ability to stay long-term in both countries.
