No visa needed
As a recognized citizen you can stay in the Philippines indefinitely.
Visas & immigration
Recognition as Filipino Citizen
If your father or mother was a Filipino citizen when you were born, you may already be a Filipino citizen yourself. Recognition is the Bureau of Immigration process that formally acknowledges that citizenship, even if you were born abroad and have only ever held a foreign passport.
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- Who it is for
- Children of a Filipino parent
- Filing fee
- PHP 12,550
- Processing time
- 6 months to 1 year
- Filed at
- Bureau of Immigration, Manila
About the visa
Key Benefits of Recognition
Recognition is not a visa and it is not naturalization. It confirms a citizenship you have held since birth, so once it is granted you need no visa to live, work or own property in the Philippines.
Natural-born status
You are acknowledged as a Filipino from birth, not as a naturalized citizen.
A Philippine passport
You can apply for a Philippine passport once recognition is granted.
Full property rights
Own land in your own name, without the limits that apply to foreigners.
Work and do business freely
No work permit and no foreign ownership restrictions.
Keep your other nationality
Recognition does not require you to give up your current passport, unless that country's laws say otherwise.
Who can apply
Recognition Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify for Recognition if the following apply.
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Your father, your mother or both were Filipino citizens at the time of your birth, whether or not they were married.
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You can prove that parent's citizenship at the time, usually with their PSA birth certificate.
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You can prove your relationship to that parent with your own birth certificate.
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If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian applies on your behalf.
How it works
Recognition Application Process
The exact requirements and timing depend on your circumstances, but most applications follow these stages.
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Family history review
We go through your and your parents' dates and places of birth and citizenship history to confirm that you qualify. -
Document gathering
We help you secure the birth certificates and passport copies that prove the line of citizenship. -
Drafting and signing
We prepare the letter request and affidavit of citizenship for signing. -
Filing at the Bureau of Immigration
The application is filed at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. -
Approval and certificate
Once approved, the Bureau issues the order of approval and your Filipino identification certificate. You appear in person only if the Bureau asks you to. -
Passport application
With your recognition papers you can apply for a Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
What the C&G Recognition Service Includes
Since 2019 we have helped more than 1,500 clients secure their Philippine visas. Our service fee covers everything below, from the first document to the final approval.
- Documents prepared and notarizedWe prepare every document your application needs, and our in-house attorneys notarize them.
- With you at government officesOur staff assist you on site at your government appointments, so you never face an agency alone.
- We deal with the agenciesWe coordinate with the agencies, follow up on your application and keep you updated at every step.
- Accredited with PRA, DOLE and BIC&G is accredited with the Philippine Retirement Authority, the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Immigration.
- An experienced teamOur team, including two attorneys, has more than 10 years of experience in immigration and business consulting.
- No hidden feesYour quote shows our service cost and the government fees separately, so you know the full cost before we begin.
- Manila, Cebu or remoteMeet us at our Manila or Cebu office, or work with us remotely from anywhere.
In detail
Recognition document checklist
Application for Recognition as a Filipino Citizen by Birth, with a notarized letter request to the Commissioner of Immigration stating that one or both of your parents were Filipino citizens when you were born. It is signed by a parent, or by you if you are 18 or over.
Photocopy of your passport bio-page
Photocopy of your parent's passport bio-page
Your birth certificate or report of birth: PSA-issued, or the foreign record apostilled if you were born abroad
Birth certificate of the parent, or parents, who were Philippine citizens when you were born
Notarized affidavit of citizenship from your Filipino parent, stating that they were a Filipino citizen when you were born and whether they later acquired another citizenship
Depending on your case
If your parent later became a foreign citizen: their certificate of naturalization or citizenship, showing that it was acquired after you were born
If your parent retained or re-acquired Philippine citizenship under RA 9225: their order of approval, oath of allegiance and certificate of retention or re-acquisition
If your parent was previously recognized as a Filipino citizen: their order of approval and identification certificate
If you or your parent changed names: the marriage certificate, court order or other record of the change
If records differ in names, dates or spellings: an affidavit of one and the same person or an affidavit of explanation
If a birth record is unavailable: certifications of non-availability and substitute records such as a baptismal certificate
Before your consultation, find out your parents' dates of birth and check which original birth records your family holds. Foreign-issued documents generally need to be apostilled.
In detail
Recognition fees and processing time
Bureau of Immigration fees: PHP 12,550 in total, including the identification certificate
Processing time: six months to one year
Where to file: Bureau of Immigration, Manila
Government fees can change without notice, and the amount assessed at filing is final. Our service fee is separate and is quoted during your consultation.
In detail
Recognition and property
Many clients look into Recognition because of land, often an inheritance. Citizenship changes what you can own and how a title can be transferred to you, so it is worth settling before the property is dealt with.
If property is your reason for applying, let us know how you expect to acquire it, whether by inheritance, sale or donation, whether there is a will, whether it is land or a condominium unit, and whether other heirs are involved.
FAQs
Recognition Frequently Asked Questions
For Recognition as a Filipino citizen, what matters is your parent's citizenship at the time of your birth. If they were still Filipino then, you may qualify.
No. Legitimate and illegitimate children of a Filipino father or mother can both apply for Recognition.
Recognition is for people born to a Filipino parent whose citizenship was never formally acknowledged. RA 9225 is for former Filipinos who lost their citizenship when they naturalized abroad.
No. Recognition does not require you to renounce your current citizenship. The Philippines allows dual citizenship, so you can keep your current nationality unless the laws of that country require otherwise.
Yes. For Recognition applicants under 18, the letter request comes from a parent or legal guardian.
Recognition takes six months to one year, depending on how complete the records are and whether the Bureau asks for more evidence.
For Recognition, the Bureau of Immigration's published total is PHP 12,550, which includes the identification certificate. The amount on your order of payment is final.
A Recognition application is filed at the Bureau of Immigration main office in Intramuros, Manila.
If you were born abroad, Recognition requires your foreign birth certificate, as an original or certified true copy, apostilled or authenticated, with an English translation if needed. If your birth was reported to a Philippine embassy, the PSA-issued Report of Birth is used instead.
If a birth record cannot be found for a Recognition application, we submit certifications of non-availability from the local civil registrar, the PSA and the National Archives, with substitute records such as a baptismal certificate, a marriage certificate or a sibling's birth certificate. The Bureau decides whether the evidence is sufficient.
Their approval order, oath and certificate are submitted to show their current status. The application must still show that your parent was a Filipino citizen when you were born.
Not automatically. Recognition confirms a citizenship you have held since birth, so an oath is not a standard step. You appear in person only if the Bureau of Immigration schedules it, for example to verify your identity or release your documents.
An Order of Approval and an Identification Certificate as a Filipino citizen. Original documents you submit stay with the Bureau as part of its records.
Yes. Once recognition is approved you can apply at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Written and reviewed by the C&G immigration team. Last updated . Government requirements and fees change, so confirm the details for your case before filing.
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