Nationality of Trinidad and Tobago: all obtaining pathways
Trinidad and Tobago distinguishes the non-Commonwealth applicant, who naturalises with twelve months of continuous residence immediately before applying plus five years in aggregate within the previous seven, from the Commonwealth citizen, who registers with five years. There are also descent certificates for minors, re-acquisition and renunciation.
1Naturalization (non-Commonwealth)
Naturalization (non-Commonwealth)
Requirements
- Over 18 years of age
- 8 years of residence in Trinidad and Tobago (of which 4 years immediately before the application) pursuant to the Immigration Act Ch. 18:01
- Intention to continue residing in Trinidad and Tobago
- Good conduct
- Sufficient knowledge of the English language
- Approval by the Minister responsible for immigration
Documentation
- Citizenship-by-naturalization application form (Naturalised Citizenship Application)
- Birth certificate, legalized and translated into English
- Valid passport and proof of legal migratory status
- Criminal record certificates from Trinidad and Tobago and the country of origin
- Evidence of 8 years of residence
- Proof of employment or means of subsistence
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Naturalised-Citizenship.pdf
- 2 passport-size photos
2Registration as a citizen (Commonwealth)
Registration as a citizen (Commonwealth)
Requirements
- Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country
- Over 18 years of age
- 5 years of continuous residence in Trinidad and Tobago immediately before the application
- Intention to continue residing in Trinidad and Tobago
- Good conduct
- Approval by the Minister
Documentation
- Citizenship registration application form (Registration as a Citizen Application)
- Birth certificate
- Valid passport and proof of Commonwealth citizenship
- Criminal record certificates
- Evidence of 5 years of continuous residence
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Registration-as-a-Citizen.pdf
- 2 passport-size photos
3Certificate of citizenship by descent (minor)
Certificate of citizenship by descent (minor)
Requirements
- Underage, born abroad to a citizen father or mother of Trinidad and Tobago
- Application submitted by the father, mother or legal guardian
- The father or mother must prove their Trinidad and Tobago citizenship
Documentation
- Certificate of citizenship of a child application form (Certificate of Citizenship of a Child)
- Birth certificate of the minor
- Birth certificate and passport of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen father/mother
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Certificate-of-Citizenship-of-a-Child.pdf
- Consent of the father/mother or legal guardian
- 2 passport-size photos of the minor
4Registration of a minor as a citizen
Registration of a minor as a citizen
Requirements
- Under 18 years of age
- At least one parent is a Trinidad and Tobago citizen or in the process of naturalization/registration
- Application submitted by the father, mother or legal guardian
Documentation
- Registration of a minor as a citizen form (Registration of a Minor Child as a Citizen)
- Birth certificate of the minor
- Birth certificate and passport of the citizen father/mother
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Registration-of-a-Minor-Child-as-a-Citizen.pdf
- Consent of the father/mother or legal guardian
- 2 passport-size photos of the minor
5Re-acquisition of citizenship
Re-acquisition of citizenship
Requirements
- Have lost Trinidad and Tobago citizenship through acquisition of another nationality
- Intention to reside in Trinidad and Tobago
- Good conduct
Documentation
- Citizenship re-acquisition form (Re-acquisition of Citizenship)
- Original Trinidad and Tobago birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Proof of loss of Trinidad and Tobago citizenship
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Re-acquisition-of-Citizenship.pdf
- 2 passport-size photos
6Renunciation of citizenship
Renunciation of citizenship
Requirements
- Be a Trinidad and Tobago citizen of legal age
- Have acquired or be in the process of acquiring another nationality
- Good conduct
Documentation
- Citizenship renunciation form (Renunciation of Citizenship)
- Birth certificate or certificate of naturalization/registration
- Trinidad and Tobago passport
- Proof of acquisition of another nationality
- Document checklist: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Checklist-Renunciation-of-Citizenship.pdf
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Trinidad and Tobago
How many years of residence does Trinidad and Tobago require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Trinidad and Tobago (Naturalization (non-Commonwealth)), the term is 12 months of continuous residence immediately before the application + 5 years of aggregate residence within the 7 years preceding that period (Citizenship Act, cap. 1:50, s. 9(1)(b)-(c)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
What documentation does naturalization in Trinidad and Tobago require?
The Naturalization pathway requires: Citizenship-by-naturalization application form (Naturalised Citizenship Application); Birth certificate, legalized and translated into English; Valid passport and proof of legal migratory status; Criminal record certificates from Trinidad and Tobago and the country of origin; Evidence of 8 years of residence; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago provides 6 pathways: Naturalization, Registration as a citizen, Certificate of citizenship by descent, Registration of a minor as a citizen, Re-acquisition of citizenship, Renunciation of citizenship.
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