I’ve got a Philippine Birth Certificate, can I get a Passport?

This morning, I found a note from Kevin in my e-mail.

Here is what Kevin had to say:

Hello,

I was born in the Philippines in 1971 at Makati medical center. Both my parents are American citizens, we were living in The Philippines due to my fathers business. Upon my birth I was issued a Philippine birth certificate from The NSO along with a civil registrar number. I never received a Philippine passport.
We also received a Certificate of Birth from the U.S. Embassy.

A few years later we returned to the U.S. where I remained for 35 years. Now I have a business in Hong Kong and will be moving back to The Philippines to live permanently.

Is my Philippine Birth certificate enough to secure a passport? My parents where told I would be a dual citizen with this Birth Certificate. Do I need to do any further due diligence?

Many thanks for your help,

Kevin

Kevin wants Philippine Citizenship

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for writing with your questions.

Basically, there are two ways of acquiring citizenship upon birth:

1. Jus sanguinis – Citizenship is passed by blood.  i.e. you become a citizen based on the citizenship of your parents.  Where you are born is of no consequence.
2. Jus soli – Citizenship based on soil.  Where you were born determines your citizenship.

The Philippines is a country that gives citizenship based on Jus sanguinis, the right of blood.  Being born in the Philippines is of no consequence in terms of your citizenship.  The fact that your parents were US Citizens when you were born means that you are a US citizen.  Being born on Philippine soil has no consequence on your citizenship.

Sorry, Kevin, you are not eligible to be a Philippine Citizen.  The only way that you can become a Philippine Citizen is to follow the laws of naturalization, which will take you 10 years of living here, you will have to renounce your US citizenship, and you must learn the language, among other requirements.  You can still live here permanently under various visas, but you cannot live here as a citizen until you become naturalized here.

Good luck to you.