Added
added the separate adult descent record for qualifying children and grandchildren, based on the current Electoral Court procedure and Laws 16,021 and 19,362 (https://www.gub.uy/tramites/certificado-avecinamiento).
Minimum cost
—
application fee
Timeline
—
Visa-free access
—
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Overview
- Country
- Uruguay
- Program
- Uruguay Citizenship by Descent
- Local name
- Ciudadanía natural por filiación
- Type
- Citizenship by Descent
- Status
- Active
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Foreign-born children of Uruguayan nationals and qualifying grandchildren of Uruguayans born in Uruguay can acquire natural-citizen status under Uruguayan law by establishing themselves in Uruguay and registering in the Civic Register. Adult applicants must obtain a Certificado de Avecinamiento before civic registration. This descent route has no fixed multi-year residence period.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $0
Eligibility and requirements
- Minimum age 18+
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- 2 generation(s)
- Ancestor citizenship
- Must have been citizen
- Ancestor born in country
- Required
- Naturalization breaks chain
- Yes — foreign naturalization may end eligibility
Passport and mobility
- EU citizenship
- No
- Schengen access
- Yes
Physical presence
- Must visit country
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- In person
- Apply from abroad
- Must apply in-country
- Official website
- www.gub.uy
- Legal basis
- Constitución de la República Oriental del Uruguay Arts. 73–74 and 81; Ley 16.021, as amended by Laws 18.858 and 19.362
Notes and caveats
The Electoral Court accepts applicants who are children of a Uruguayan parent or grandchildren of a Uruguayan grandparent born in Uruguay. For grandchildren, the official guidance requires the grandparent's Uruguayan birth record and proof linking the applicant through their parent. Applicants must show at least two qualifying acts of establishing themselves in Uruguay, such as remaining in the country for more than three months, leasing or buying a home, working, operating a business, or studying for at least two months. The certificate is personal, in person, and free. Its validity is limited to the electoral-registration period in which it is issued. A 2024 Electoral Court circular says citizenship natural status is acquired when the applicant establishes residence and is accepted for civic registration, and that the status is irrevocable. The record covers the direct-child and qualifying-grandchild generations. It does not treat adoption as descent, although the official procedure separately lists some qualifying adoptions.
Also in Uruguay
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source