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Central America

Nationality of Honduras: all obtaining pathways

Verified: 2026-10-12Informational guide; the linked official source is the valid reference.7 pathways

Honduras stages its periods: one year for Central Americans by birth, two for Spaniards and Ibero-Americans, and more than three for the remaining foreigners. There is further a letter of naturalisation for extraordinary services, a route for selected groups, and original descent.

1

Nationality by descent (origin-based)

Requirements

  • Born abroad to a Honduran father or mother by birth (art. 23 of the Constitution)
  • An infant of unknown parents found in the territory of Honduras

Documentation

  • Applicant's birth certificate
  • Honduran parent's birth certificate
  • Identity documents
Duration: Not applicable — acquired by descent at birth; no residence required (Constitution art. 23)
Official link
2

Naturalization of Central Americans by birth

Requirements

  • Being Central American by birth
  • One (1) year of residence in the country (art. 24.1 of the Constitution)

Documentation

  • Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary)
  • Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative
  • Authenticated copy of the passport's first page
  • Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing
  • Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras
  • Number and date of the residence resolution or special stay permit, with a copy
  • Original certification of registration in the National Register of Foreigners
  • Proof of not having violated the Migration and Foreigners Law and its Regulations
  • Migration-movement certificate issued by the National Migration Institute
  • Medical certificate
  • Original certificate of having no complaints issued by the Directorate of Police Investigation (DPI)
  • Original certificates from the courts of their place of domicile of having no criminal record
  • Accreditation of assets, a profession, trade, activity or lawful industry allowing them to live independently (or financial dependence on the spouse/parents)
  • Sworn statement under art. 64 of the Migration and Foreigners Law, with an authenticated signature
Duration: 1 year of residence in the country (Constitution art. 24.1)
Official link
3

Naturalization of Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth

Requirements

  • Being Spanish or Ibero-American by birth
  • Two (2) consecutive years of residence in the country (art. 24.2 of the Constitution)

Documentation

  • Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary)
  • Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative
  • Authenticated copy of the passport's first page
  • Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing
  • Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras
  • Number and date of the residence resolution or special stay permit, with a copy
  • Original certification of registration in the National Register of Foreigners
  • Proof of not having violated the Migration and Foreigners Law and its Regulations
  • Migration-movement certificate issued by the National Migration Institute
  • Medical certificate
  • Original certificate of having no complaints issued by the Directorate of Police Investigation (DPI)
  • Original certificates from the courts of their place of domicile of having no criminal record
  • Accreditation of assets, a profession, trade, activity or lawful industry allowing them to live independently (or financial dependence on the spouse/parents)
  • Sworn statement under art. 64 of the Migration and Foreigners Law, with an authenticated signature
Duration: 2 consecutive years of residence in the country (Constitution art. 24.2)
Official link
4

Naturalization through time of residence (all other foreigners)

Requirements

  • Having resided in the country for more than three (3) consecutive years (art. 24.3 of the Constitution)
  • File and administrative resolution before the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation; a letter of naturalisation issued by the Executive and registration in the National Register of Persons

Documentation

  • Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary)
  • Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative
  • Authenticated copy of the passport's first page
  • Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing
  • Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras
  • Number and date of the residence resolution or special stay permit, with a copy
  • Original certification of registration in the National Register of Foreigners
  • Proof of not having violated the Migration and Foreigners Law and its Regulations
  • Migration-movement certificate issued by the National Migration Institute
  • Medical certificate
  • Original certificate of having no complaints issued by the Directorate of Police Investigation (DPI)
  • Original certificates from the courts of their place of domicile of having no criminal record
  • Accreditation of assets, a profession, trade, activity or lawful industry allowing them to live independently (or financial dependence on the spouse/parents)
  • Sworn statement under art. 64 of the Migration and Foreigners Law, with an authenticated signature
Duration: More than 3 consecutive years of residence in the country (Constitution art. 24.3)
Official link
5

Naturalization by marriage

Requirements

  • Being a foreign person married to a Honduran by birth (art. 24.6 of the Constitution)

Documentation

  • Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary)
  • Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative
  • Authenticated copy of the passport's first page
  • Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing
  • Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras
  • Number and date of the residence resolution or special stay permit, with a copy
  • Original certification of registration in the National Register of Foreigners
  • Proof of not having violated the Migration and Foreigners Law and its Regulations
  • Migration-movement certificate issued by the National Migration Institute
  • Medical certificate
  • Original certificate of having no complaints issued by the Directorate of Police Investigation (DPI)
  • Original certificates from the courts of their place of domicile of having no criminal record
  • Accreditation of assets, a profession, trade, activity or lawful industry allowing them to live independently (or financial dependence on the spouse/parents)
  • Sworn statement under art. 64 of the Migration and Foreigners Law, with an authenticated signature
Duration: No fixed residence period: the foreign person married to a Honduran by birth is a Honduran by naturalization (Constitution art. 24.6)
Official link
6

Letter of naturalization for extraordinary services

Requirements

  • Having rendered extraordinary services to Honduras
  • Letter of naturalisation decreed by the National Congress (art. 24.4 of the Constitution)

Documentation

  • File of the decree of the National Congress
Duration: Not applicable — discretionary grant by the National Congress for extraordinary services to Honduras (Constitution art. 24.4)
Official link
7

Naturalization of immigrants from selected groups

Requirements

  • Belonging to selected groups brought in by the government for scientific, agricultural or industrial purposes
  • One (1) year of residence in the country and meeting the statutory requirements (art. 24.5 of the Constitution)

Documentation

  • Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary)
  • Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative
  • Authenticated copy of the passport's first page
  • Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing
  • Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras
  • Number and date of the residence resolution or special stay permit, with a copy
  • Original certification of registration in the National Register of Foreigners
  • Proof of not having violated the Migration and Foreigners Law and its Regulations
  • Migration-movement certificate issued by the National Migration Institute
  • Medical certificate
  • Original certificate of having no complaints issued by the Directorate of Police Investigation (DPI)
  • Original certificates from the courts of their place of domicile of having no criminal record
  • Accreditation of assets, a profession, trade, activity or lawful industry allowing them to live independently (or financial dependence on the spouse/parents)
  • Sworn statement under art. 64 of the Migration and Foreigners Law, with an authenticated signature
Duration: 1 year of residence in the country, as part of selected groups brought by the Government for scientific, agricultural or industrial purposes (Constitution art. 24.5)
Official link

Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Honduras

How many years of residence does Honduras require to naturalize?

According to the main pathway of Honduras (Naturalization of Central Americans by birth), the term is 1 year of residence in the country (Constitution art. 24.1). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.

Can the nationality of Honduras be obtained by marriage?

Yes, through the Naturalization by marriage pathway (No fixed residence period: the foreign person married to a Honduran by birth is a Honduran by naturalization (Constitution art. 24.6)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.

What documentation does naturalization in Honduras require?

The Naturalization of Central Americans by birth pathway requires: Naturalization application to the General Secretariat of the Secretariat of Government, Justice and Decentralisation (signature authenticated by a notary); Notarised power of attorney, if acting through a representative; Authenticated copy of the passport's first page; Recent photo of 6 × 5 cm, front-facing; Original birth certificate legalised so it has effect in Honduras; among 9 more documents.

What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Honduras?

Honduras provides 7 pathways: Nationality by descent, Naturalization of Central Americans by birth, Naturalization of Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth, Naturalization through time of residence, Naturalization by marriage, Letter of naturalization for extraordinary services, Naturalization of immigrants from selected groups.

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