Nationality of Mauritania: all obtaining pathways
Mauritania requires five years of habitual residence for ordinary naturalisation —with exemptions for those born in the country and husbands of Mauritanian women—, and a foreign woman marrying a Mauritanian acquires nationality automatically upon the marriage celebration. The law also allows the child of a Mauritanian mother to opt in the year before majority.
1Nationality of origin (filiation)
Nationality of origin (filiation)
Requirements
- Child of a Mauritanian father or mother (Nationality Code, Law No. 61-112 of 12/6/1961, as amended by Laws 023/2010 and 2021-016)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parent's nationality document
2Option for the child of a Mauritanian mother and a foreign father
Option for the child of a Mauritanian mother and a foreign father
Requirements
- A child born abroad to a Mauritanian mother and foreign father may opt for Mauritanian nationality in the year prior to reaching the age of majority (new art. 13)
Documentation
- Birth certificates
- Declaration of option
3Automatic acquisition for the minor children of a naturalized citizen
Automatic acquisition for the minor children of a naturalized citizen
Requirements
- The minor child whose father or mother acquires Mauritanian nationality automatically becomes Mauritanian (new art. 15)
Documentation
- See the linked official source
4Nationality by marriage (foreign woman)
Nationality by marriage (foreign woman)
Requirements
- A foreign woman who marries a Mauritanian acquires Mauritanian nationality OF RIGHT at the moment of the marriage celebration (Code de la nationalité, Law 1961-112, art. 16)
- She may DECLINE acquisition before the celebration if her personal law allows her to keep her nationality (art. 16 in fine)
- A foreign man married to a Mauritanian has NO such automatic route — but is EXEMPT from the naturalisation residence term (art. 18)
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of 5 years of continuous residence
- Express application
5Naturalization
Naturalization
Requirements
- Grant by DECREE upon application, after investigation (art. 17)
- Habitual residence in Mauritania ≥5 YEARS at the time of application (art. 18)
- EXEMPT from the 5-year term: those born in Mauritania, a man married to a Mauritanian woman, and those who have rendered exceptional services (art. 18 in fine)
- Sound in body and mind (art. 19(1))
- Fluent in one of the national languages: Toucouleur, Saracollé, Wolof, Bambara, Hassania, Arabic or French (art. 19(2))
- Good character; no common-law convictions unexpired by rehabilitation or amnesty (art. 19(3))
- An expelled alien may only be naturalised if the expulsion order has been revoked (art. 20)
Documentation
- Application to the Ministère de l'Intérieur / ANRPTS
- Proofs of residence, health and good conduct
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Mauritania
How many years of residence does Mauritania require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Mauritania (Automatic acquisition for the minor children of a naturalized citizen), the term is Not applicable — automatic acquisition linked to the naturalized parent. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Mauritania be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Nationality by marriage pathway (None: AUTOMATIC acquisition upon celebration of the marriage (Nationality Code 1961-112, art. 16)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Mauritania require?
The Automatic acquisition for the minor children of a naturalized citizen pathway requires: See the linked official source.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Mauritania?
Mauritania provides 5 pathways: Nationality of origin, Option for the child of a Mauritanian mother and a foreign father, Automatic acquisition for the minor children of a naturalized citizen, Nationality by marriage, Naturalization.
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