Filipino Citizenship
The following are considered natural-born Filipinos under the 1987 Philippine Constitution:
- A person who, at the time of his/her birth, has at least one Filipino parent,
- A person born to a Filipino mother before 17 January 1973 who elected Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority (21 years old), and,
- Those who were born under the 1935 and 1973 Philippine Constitutions to Filipino parents.
In other words:
Natural-born Filipino citizens are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.
If they are born on and after 17 January 1973, their father or mother should be a Filipino citizen at the time of their birth.
If born before 17 January 1973, their father should be a Filipino citizen. If the father is not a Filipino citizen, the mother should be a Filipino citizen and the applicant should have elected Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
For further information, please refer to the specific pages:
- Reacquisition/Retention of Philippine Citizenship
- Dual Citizenship (Other than Reacquisition/Retention)
- Renunciation of Philippine Citizenship
Please also refer to the complete FAQs on Citizenship.