Dear Atty. Duran-Schulze,
I am having trouble determining my citizenship. May I know what to do regarding the recognition of Filipino Citizenship – how is this done?
Dear Writer,
According to the Bureau of Immigration’s Law Instruction No. RBR-99002, issued on 15 April 1999, any child born of a Filipino parent may be recognized as a Filipino citizen under existing laws.
The following documents are to be submitted to the Commissioner of Immigration in the Philippines:
- Petition, in the form of a letter-request, made under oath by the Filipino parent or legally appointed guardian. A person who is 18 years old must apply in his/her own capacity.
In default of parents or a judicially appointed guardian, the following persons shall exercise substitute parental authority over the child in the order indicated:
- The surviving grandparent as provided in Article 214 of the Family Code;
- The oldest brother or sister over 21 years of age, unless unfit or disqualified; and
- The child’s actual custodian, over 21 years of age, unless unfit or disqualified.
In case the letter-request is made by a person on behalf of any of the parents, the legally appointed guardian, or persons exercising substitute parental authority, he or she must be duly authorized through a power of attorney to file such a petition.
- Authenticated birth certificate of the child;
- Birth certificate of the Filipino parent;
- Affidavit of Citizenship executed by the applicant’s Filipino parent attesting to his/her citizenship at the time of the birth of the child;
- Photocopy of the child’s passport, if he/she has one;
- Photocopy of the Filipino parent’s passport, if he/she has one; and
- Proof of Filipino citizenship of a parent at the time of birth of the child other than the parent’s passport or the child’s passport.
To note, all documents issued by the foreign governments and those executed in a foreign country shall be duly authenticated by the authorized officer of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over them.
Communications, statements, or documents executed in a language other than English or Filipino should be officially translated under the seal of the authorized officer of the appropriate foreign embassy.
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 292, the Bureau of Immigration, through its Records Section, will automatically furnish the Department of Justice an official copy of its Order of Recognition within 12 days from its date of approval. Identification Certificates shall be issued only after confirmation by the Secretary of Justice.
Do you have any further questions that need to be addressed? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law to know more. You may reach us at (+632) 8478 5826 or +63 917 194 0482 email info@duranschulze.com for more information.
