Finnish citizenship by descent

Finnish citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship by birth or heritage, is a way to acquire Finnish citizenship based on the nationality or ancestry of one or both parents. The Finnish Nationality Act governs the rules and regulations regarding citizenship in Finland.

How to get citizenship by descend in Finland

To be eligible for Finnish citizenship by descent, the following conditions generally apply:

1. Parent’s Citizenship. At least one of the child’s parents must be a Finnish citizen at the time of the child’s birth. The child may acquire Finnish citizenship if either the mother or the father is a Finnish citizen.
2. Legitimate or Acknowledged Child. The child must be born in wedlock or be acknowledged by the Finnish citizen parent before turning 18 years old. Children born out of wedlock to Finnish citizen mothers automatically acquire Finnish citizenship.
3. Notification. The Finnish citizen parent or legal guardian must submit a notification to the Finnish authorities declaring the child’s eligibility for Finnish citizenship. This notification should be made before the child turns 18 years old. If the child is already over 18 years old, they may still apply for citizenship through other means, such as naturalization.

Documentation and Application

To apply for Finnish citizenship by descent, you will typically need to gather certain documentation and follow the application process outlined by the Finnish authorities. Here are the general steps involved:

Gather Required Documents.

Collect the necessary documents to support your application. These typically include:

• Birth certificate: Your original birth certificate showing your parents’ names.
• Proof of Finnish citizenship of the parent: Provide documentation to prove that at least one of your parents is a Finnish citizen, such as their Finnish passport or citizenship certificate.
• Proof of relationship: If your parents were not married at the time of your birth, you may need to provide additional documents to establish the biological or legal relationship with your Finnish citizen parent.
• Identification documents: Provide a valid passport or other government-issued identification.
• Other supporting documents: Depending on your specific circumstances, additional documents may be required. It’s best to consult the Finnish authorities or embassy for precise instructions.

Complete the Application Form and Submit it

Obtain and complete the application form for Finnish citizenship. You can usually find the form on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) or obtain a physical copy from a Finnish embassy or consulate. Submit the completed application form along with all the required documents to the appropriate Finnish authority. This can be done either in person at a Finnish embassy or consulate or by mail to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

Pay the Application Fee

There is usually an application fee associated with citizenship applications. The fee amount and payment method will be specified on the application form or on the website of the Finnish authorities.

Attend an Interview or Provide Additional Information

In some cases, the Finnish authorities may request an interview or additional information to verify your eligibility for citizenship. If requested, comply with these requirements promptly.

Notification of Decision

Once a decision has been made on your application, you will be notified by the Finnish authorities. If your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of Finnish citizenship.

Dual Citizenship

Finland allows dual citizenship, which means that you can become a Finnish citizen and retain your citizenship of another country at the same time.