Argentina: Information on the requirements for naturalization and on the publication and accessibility of names of those who are naturalized (follow-up to ARG27121.E of 19 August 1997)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ARG28020.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Argentina: Information on the requirements for naturalization and on the publication and accessibility of names of those who are naturalized (follow-up to ARG27121.E of 19 August 1997), 1 October 1997, ARG28020.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad0d20.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was obtained by the Canadian Embassy in Buenos Aires and provided to the Research Directorate by the Refugee Branch of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and adds to that provided in Response to Information Request ARG27121.E (16 Sept. 1997).
The basic requirement for naturalization in Argentina is to have held the status of legal permanent resident in Argentina for at least two years. This time requirement may be reduced if it can be shown that the individual has served the country in some exceptional way, but such cases are rare.
In addition to the residency requirement, applicants must have no criminal record.
Naturalized citizens may choose whether or not they wish to bear arms to defend Argentina during the first ten years after obtaining citizenship.
A list of all naturalized Argentine citizens is kept at the National Electoral Bureau. This list is not published and access to it is restricted. Individuals may only request information only about themselves or close relatives. They must present a birth certificate and, in the case of a request concerning a family member, either a death certificate or a police document attesting that the person is still alive. Information requests may also be submitted through a lawyer. Diplomatic missions are entitled to make written requests for information concerning individuals seeking to emigrate. A 10-peso (approximately C$14) fee is charged for all requests; urgent requests cost 15 pesos (approximately C$21).
The Bureau also keeps a list of minors. It includes the names of children who have immigrated to Argentina as well as children born abroad to Argentine nationals. Children of foreign nationality who immigrate to Argentina may not become naturalized separately from their parents. However, upon turning 18 they may choose to adopt Argentine citizenship. Argentina has dual citizenship agreements with Italy and Spain. Individuals from other countries are not entitled to dual citizenship and must therefore renounce their original citizenship in order to become naturalized.
Children born abroad to Argentine parents do not automatically acquire Argentine citizenship. Their parents must register them as citizens at the nearest Argentine consulate, and their names are then transmitted to the Bureau. The National Electoral Bureau is located at 25 de Mayo No. 245, Buenos Aires.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Refugee Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ottawa. 16 September 1997. Letter received by the Research Directorate.
