GENERAL INFORMATION

Foreign citizens may obtain Argentine nationality in two different ways: through “naturalization” or by “option.”

 

A) Naturalization

The naturalization of foreign citizens is a judicial process that must be carried out exclusively in Argentina before the Argentine federal courts.

 

B) Option

B) The option for Argentine nationality is a procedure conducted before Argentine consular officers (if the applicant is abroad) or before the National Registry of Persons (if the applicant is in Argentina).

If the foreign citizen opting for Argentine nationality is over 18 years of age, the option must be made solely by that individual. If the person is under 18 years of age, the holders of parental responsibility will be the only ones authorized to exercise the option on their behalf.

Unlike the naturalization procedure, the option for Argentine nationality requires that the person who will opt (or on whose behalf their parents will do so) be the child of a native Argentine father or mother.

The procedure established for this option necessarily requires a thorough verification of the requirements and the submission of the documents described below, as well as a formal declaration to be made before the officials authorized by law. Argentine nationality will be formally acquired at the moment when the Testimony of the Record drawn up at this Consulate is incorporated into a record of the National Registry of Persons, after which the National Registry of Persons in Argentina will order, produce, and send the corresponding National Identity Document (DNI).

According to the applicable laws, Argentine nationality cannot be renounced. The fact that foreign citizens who wish to acquire Argentine nationality may already hold one or several other nationalities does not prevent or affect the possibility of acquiring Argentine nationality. A person may be Argentine and simultaneously hold multiple other nationalities.

Notwithstanding the above, please note that acquiring Argentine nationality could have consequences for other nationalities held by the person exercising the option, if so provided by the legislation of those countries. In this regard, it is recommended to consult the corresponding foreign consulate.

For information regarding the documents to be submitted and further enquiries, please send an email to opciones_csidn@mrecic.gov.ar