WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Philippine Embassy in Washington has issued a formal clarification to address rising concerns and misinformation regarding dual citizenship, confirming that the United States has made no policy changes that would prevent Filipinos from reacquiring their Philippine nationality.
The statement, released on Saturday, February 14, 2026, followed an oath-taking ceremony where 15 former Filipinos successfully regained their Philippine citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.
Fact-Checking the Rumors
In recent months, unverified social media posts suggested that the U.S. government might limit dual citizenship or force Filipino-Americans to renounce their American nationality due to stricter immigration enforcement.
- The Reality: The Embassy explicitly stated: “The United States continues to allow dual citizenship, and there have been no changes to this policy.”
- Direct Advice: “Don’t let misinformation stop you from becoming a dual citizen,” the Embassy added.
Reacquiring Citizenship (RA 9225)
For natural-born Filipinos who lost their citizenship after becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, the reacquisition process remains streamlined:
- Rights Restored: Those who take the oath are immediately eligible to apply for a Philippine passport, register as overseas voters, and file essential civil registry documents.
- Dependent Coverage: Applicants can include their unmarried children under 18 in the process.
Rules for Foreign-Born Citizens
The Embassy also reminded the public of the rules regarding Filipinos born abroad:
- Automatic Recognition: Children born overseas to at least one Filipino parent automatically acquire Philippine citizenship at birth.
- Reporting Birth: While they do not need to “apply” for dual citizenship, parents must file a Report of Birth with the Philippine embassy or consulate covering their birthplace to ensure official legal recognition and the ability to secure a Philippine passport.
A Warning on Renunciation
The Embassy emphasized that while reacquiring citizenship is possible, voluntarily renouncing it is a much more final decision. Dual citizens who choose to formally renounce their Philippine citizenship will no longer be eligible to reacquire it through RA 9225, as renunciation is an “irreversible legal action.”
The clarification serves as a reminder to the large Filipino-American community to rely on official government channels for information regarding their legal status and rights.