Nationality of Turkmenistan: all obtaining pathways
Turkmenistan requires seven years of permanent residence for ordinary naturalisation; marriage to a Turkmen citizen does not by itself shorten the term, though the President may waive requirements in exceptional cases. Nationality passes by descent and no citizen may be deprived of it.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Commitment to obey and respect the Constitution and laws of Turkmenistan (Citizenship Law 1992, art. 18(1))
- Sufficient knowledge of the STATE LANGUAGE to communicate (art. 18(2))
- PERMANENT residence in Turkmenistan for the past 7 YEARS (art. 18(3))
- Legitimate source of livelihood in Turkmenistan (art. 18(4))
- The President may accept on point 1 alone in exceptional cases (art. 18 final)
- Turkmenistan recognises dual citizenship: Turkmen and another citizenship may be held simultaneously (1992 Citizenship Law, art. 9)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a residence permit
- Certificate of knowledge of Turkmen
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of employment or income
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Formal application
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Turkmen citizen
- Consular registration if born abroad
- Turkmenistan does not allow dual citizenship
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' Turkmen passports
- Consular registration certificate
3Admission of the spouse of a Turkmen citizen (Citizenship Law 1992, art. 16)
Admission of the spouse of a Turkmen citizen (Citizenship Law 1992, art. 16)
Requirements
- Marriage to a citizen of Turkmenistan does NOT automatically change citizenship (Citizenship Law of Turkmenistan 1992, art. 16: neither marriage nor divorce alters the spouses’ citizenship)
- The foreign spouse is ADMITTED on petition meeting the GENERAL art. 18 conditions: Constitution/laws + sufficient Turkmen + 7 YEARS’ permanent residence + legitimate livelihood
- The 1992 law contains NO term reduction for spouses (the previous “3 years” had no statutory basis)
- The President may waive requirements in exceptional cases (art. 18 final paragraph)
- Art. 4: no citizen may be deprived of Turkmen citizenship
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Turmen spouse's passport
- Residence certificate
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Turkmenistan
How many years of residence does Turkmenistan require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Turkmenistan (Naturalization by residence), the term is 7 years. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Turkmenistan allow dual nationality?
Turkmenistan recognises dual citizenship: Turkmen and another citizenship may be held simultaneously (1992 Citizenship Law, art. 9)
Can the nationality of Turkmenistan be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Admission of the spouse of a Turkmen citizen pathway (No express reduction: the general 7-year term applies (art. 18(3))). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Turkmenistan require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a residence permit; Certificate of knowledge of Turkmen; Criminal record certificate; Proof of employment or income; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, Admission of the spouse of a Turkmen citizen.
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