Frequently Asked Questions

Use of Names

Authority of the Consul General to Correct Clerical or Typographical Errors or Change of Name in the Civil Register

Troy needs a new passport in connection with his application for landed immigrant status. Troy’s old passport shows his first name as “Teroy” following the entries in his official birth and baptismal certificates. In all his personal and official records since his elementary days, however, (e.g., transcript of records, driver’s license, diploma) Troy had consistently written and used “Troy” as his first name. Wanting to make his…

Donations to the Philippines

Any individual, group, or organization abroad can send donations to the Philippines. To avail of duty-free entry of donations, however, there are certain conditions and requirements that have to be complied with under existing rules and regulations governing the importation of donations. There are specific items which may be allowed duty-free entry, as there are organizations/ entities in the Philippines that are allowed to receive donations on a duty-free basis…

Foreign Donations

Reversion of Maiden

Under Article 370 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines, Filipino women have the prerogative to choose their surname after marriage. The option includes retention of maiden name or the use of the surname of the husband. As a general rule, since the use of the husband’s surname is not obligatory, a married woman may retain to her maiden name…

Salient Points of the Republic Act 9255: An Act Amending Article 176 of the Family Code of the Philippines

Do you know that an illegitimate child may now use the surname of their father?

This long-awaited move was made possible upon the signing of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on 24 February 2004, Republic Act 9255 entitled “An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of Their Father, Amending for the Purpose Article 176 of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known of “Family Code of the Philippines”...

Meaning and Effect of consular Jurisdiction

Two Filipino friends, Kate Tilaok and Deborah Galapon, are vacationing in Toronto. They are permanent residents of New York. Two days before returning to the United States, Kate and Deborah decided to renew their Philippine passports, which were expiring in two months, at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto instead of waiting to renew these at the Philippine Consulate in New York…

Certific of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage

Tommy and Fortunata want to get married in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Tommy is Canadian while Fortunata is Filipina and a native of Batac…

Property Ownership in the Philippines for former Filipinos

For the information and guidance of Canadian citizens who are formerly citizens of the Philippines, quoted herewith are pertinent provisions of Sec. 5 of Republic Act No. 8179 concerning ownership of land in the Philippines by natural born Filipinos who lose their Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Article XII, Section 8 of the Philippine Constitution…

Balikbayans Who wish to bring home Cars to the Philippines

In reply to queries from many of our kababayans on the procedure for bringing a car into the Philippines, the Philippine Consulate General is pleased to share the following tips from the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)...