Can I keep my US passport?
Yes. If you’re Filipino from birth, you can also be a US citizen, and US law doesn’t make you choose. Former Filipinos who take Philippine citizenship back under RA 9225 keep their US citizenship too.
A bill in the US Senate would end dual citizenship for Americans. It’s a proposal, not law yet. In December 2025 the Philippine Embassy in Washington said nothing had changed, and warned against renouncing Philippine citizenship, because that can’t be undone through RA 9225.
I was born in the US to a Filipino parent. Do I need dual citizenship under RA 9225?
No. If your parent was Filipino when you were born, you’re already Filipino from birth. RA 9225 is for people who were Filipino and then naturalized somewhere else. You file a Report of Birth instead.
My mom became American before I was born. Am I Filipino?
Not from birth, because she wasn’t Filipino on that day. If she takes Philippine citizenship back under RA 9225 while you’re under 18 and unmarried, she can include you. If you’re already an adult, that route isn’t open to you.
My dad became American after I was born. Does that matter?
No. What counts is whether he was Filipino on the day you were born. His naturalization certificate shows the date, and consulates accept it as proof that he was still Filipino at your birth.
I’m an adult and my birth was never reported. Is it too late?
No. You can file a late Report of Birth, with a notarized affidavit explaining the delay. Adults sign the forms themselves. It costs US$25 at the embassy in Washington.
My grandparents were Filipino, but my parent was born in the US. Am I Filipino?
Very likely, if your grandparent was still Filipino when your parent was born, and your parent hadn’t naturalized anywhere before you were born. Your parent was then Filipino from birth, and so are you. Your parent reports their birth first, then you report yours.
I was born before 1973 and only my mother was Filipino. Am I Filipino?
If your parents were married, you had to elect Philippine citizenship after reaching adulthood, by a sworn statement filed with a civil registry. The Supreme Court has said this normally had to happen within about 3 years. If your parents weren’t married, you were Filipino at birth through your mother. Ask the embassy or consulate about your case.
Can I buy land in the Philippines?
As a Filipino citizen, yes, and that includes dual citizens. The Constitution keeps private land for Filipino citizens. Former natural-born Filipinos who haven’t taken citizenship back can buy only a limited amount.
Can my American spouse and children stay in the Philippines with me?
Under the Balikbayan privilege, former Filipinos, and a foreign spouse and children traveling with them, can stay up to a year without a visa if their nationality doesn’t need one for short visits, as Americans don’t. It only applies when they travel together. For a longer move, a foreign spouse can apply for a 13(a) immigrant visa.
Will I have to pay Philippine tax?
Filipinos who live abroad pay Philippine income tax only on income earned in the Philippines.
Will I have to do military service?
No. The Philippines has no compulsory military service.
Living there
A Philippine passport gives you the right to live and work in the Philippines, and to own land there, which foreigners generally can’t.
Sources
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: Report of Birth by mail
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: dual citizenship (RA 9225)
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: statement on dual citizenship and renouncing (December 12, 2025)
- Philippine Consulate General in New York: Report of Birth of a Filipino abroad
- Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco: dual citizenship
- Bureau of Immigration: the Balikbayan privilege
- Commission on Filipinos Overseas: dual citizenship primer (2018)
- 1987 Constitution of the Philippines (LawPhil copy, not an official source)
- Supreme Court, In re Ching, Bar Matter 914 (1999) (LawPhil copy, not an official source)
- US State Department: dual nationality