Nationality of Suriname: all obtaining pathways
Suriname requires five years of legal residence —two of them immediately preceding the application— in accordance with the Wet Nationaliteit S.B. 1975. Those born in the country who have resided there since birth have an option route, and descent is transmitted by filiation with registration before the Surinamese authorities.
1Naturalization (Wet Nationaliteit S.B. 1975 no. 171)
Naturalization (Wet Nationaliteit S.B. 1975 no. 171)
Requirements
- Being over 18 years of age
- Having resided legally in Suriname for at least 5 years (2 of which immediately before the application with a residence permit)
- Good conduct (criminal record certificate)
- Sufficient means of subsistence
- Adequate command of the Dutch language
- Renunciation of previous nationality (Suriname does not recognize dual nationality in naturalization)
- Approval by the Minister of Justice and Police
- Wet Nationaliteit en Ingezetenschap (S.B. 1975 no. 171, am. S.B. 2014 no. 121), art. 8: naturalization by law after residence/main abode in Suriname for the last 5 years (or born in Suriname, or lost nationality). Fees: SRD 200 (SRD 80 in special cases).
Documentation
- Naturalization application addressed to the Minister of Justice and Police
- Birth certificate legalized and translated into Dutch
- Valid passport and copy of the data pages
- Valid residence permit (verblijfsvergunning)
- Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and Suriname
- Evidence of means of subsistence (work contract, financial statements)
- Certificate of proficiency in the Dutch language
- Medical certificate
- Proof of fee payment (USD 150 or equivalent in SRD)
2Option (Wet Nationaliteit - option route)
Option (Wet Nationaliteit - option route)
Requirements
- Being over 18 years of age
- Having been born in Suriname and having resided there legally since birth
- Or being a minor under the guardianship of a Surinamese citizen
- Or having special ties with Suriname under the Wet Nationaliteit
- The option is a simplified route compared to naturalization
- WNI art. 5: a person born in Suriname to a parent residing there becomes Surinamese at 18 if resident during the 3 immediately preceding years; may decline in the year before.
Documentation
- Option application addressed to the Minister of Justice and Police
- Surinamese birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Evidence of continued residence in Suriname
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of fee payment
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- Being a child of a Surinamese father or mother born in Suriname or abroad
- Registration of the birth before the Surinamese authorities
Documentation
- Child's birth certificate
- Surinamese birth certificate or passport of the father/mother
- Registration of the birth before the Surinamese consulate or in Suriname
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Suriname
How many years of residence does Suriname require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Suriname (Naturalization (Wet Nationaliteit S.B. 1975 no. 171)), the term is 5 years of residence (woongebied/hoofdverblijf) in Suriname, or born in Suriname, or previously held the nationality (WNI art. 8). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Suriname allow dual nationality?
Renunciation of previous nationality (Suriname does not recognize dual nationality in naturalization)
What documentation does naturalization in Suriname require?
The Naturalization pathway requires: Naturalization application addressed to the Minister of Justice and Police; Birth certificate legalized and translated into Dutch; Valid passport and copy of the data pages; Valid residence permit (verblijfsvergunning); Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and Suriname; among 4 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Suriname?
Suriname provides 3 pathways: Naturalization, Option, Nationality by descent.
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