Nationality of Haiti: all obtaining pathways
Haiti recognizes nationality by birth in its territory — ius soli — and through Haitian ancestry with no residence requirement. Naturalization by residence requires five years of continuous presence in the country, and marriage to a Haitian citizen opens a specific pathway with no minimum time period set.
1Nationality by birth (ius soli)
Nationality by birth (ius soli)
Requirements
- Born in Haitian territory to a Haitian father or mother (Art. 11, 1987 Constitution)
- Being born in Haiti to foreign parents does not automatically confer Haitian nationality
Documentation
- Haitian birth record issued by the Office of the Registrar of Civil Status
- Identification of the parents
2Nationality by ancestry (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by ancestry (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- Be the child of a Haitian father or mother, born abroad (Art. 11, 1987 Constitution)
- Nationality is transmitted by filiation regardless of place of birth
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Birth certificate of the Haitian father or mother
- Haitian passport of the father or mother
- Application to the Haitian consulate
3Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 5 years of continuous residence in Haiti (Art. 12, 1987 Constitution)
- Over the age of majority
- Good conduct and morality
- No convictions for serious crimes
- Practice of a profession, trade or industry
- Waive your original nationality
Documentation
- Application addressed to the Ministry of Justice
- Residence certificate issued by the Migration Directorate
- Criminal record certificates from Haiti and the country of origin
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate, legalized and translated into French or Creole
- Declaration renouncing your original nationality
- Proof of employment or means of subsistence
4Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Foreign woman who contracts marriage with a Haitian citizen (Art. 12, 1987 Constitution)
- The Haitian spouse must prove their nationality
- The marriage must be registered in the Haitian Civil Registry
Documentation
- Haitian marriage record
- Birth certificate of the applicant, legalized and translated
- Identification and passport of the Haitian spouse
- Criminal record certificates
- Valid passport of the applicant
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Haiti
How many years of residence does Haiti require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Haiti (Naturalization by residence), the term is 5 years of continuous residence in the territory of the Republic (1987 Constitution, art. 12.1). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Haiti allow dual nationality?
Waive your original nationality
Can the nationality of Haiti be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (Not required (by marriage)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Haiti require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application addressed to the Ministry of Justice; Residence certificate issued by the Migration Directorate; Criminal record certificates from Haiti and the country of origin; Valid passport; Birth certificate, legalized and translated into French or Creole; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Haiti?
Haiti provides 4 pathways: Nationality by birth, Nationality by ancestry, Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage.
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