Acquisition of citizenship by registration

The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap 188) establishes who can register as a citizens of Malta. The Act was amended on 1^st August 2007, this making it possible for second and subsequent generations born abroad to acquire Maltese citizenship by registration.

How can you apply for Maltese citizenship by registration?

You can apply if you are:

The spouse of a Maltese citizen married for at least five (5) years and on the date of application is still married and living with that citizen of Malta [Form B (CEA1)];

The widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death and the widow/widower had been married and living with the now deceased person for at least five (5) years [Form B (CEA1)];

The widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death, and if not for the death of the person, the widower/widower would have been married to that person for five (5) years on the date of application [Form B (CEA1)];

The widow/widower of a person who passed away before 21^st September 1964 and if it were not for his/her death he/she would have automatically become a citizen of Malta (due to the fact that he/she was born in Malta of a parent born in Malta too or was born abroad of a father and a paternal grandparent who were both born in Malta) and the widow/widower was still living with the deceased person at the time of his/her death [Form B (CEA1)].

A son/daughter born prior to 21^st September 1964 of a female born in Malta and who became or would have become, but for her death, a citizen of Malta on the said date [Form I (CEA4)];

The son/daughter of a female citizen of Malta (who acquired Maltese citizenship by birth in Malta, and who was a citizen of Malta at the time of the son’s/daugher’s birth) and was born outside Malta on or after 21^st September 1964 and before 1^st August 1989 [Form I (CEA4)];

A former citizen of Malta and do not qualify automatically for dual citizenship because you had not resided for a minimum of six (6) years abroad or was formerly a citizen of Malta by Registration or by Naturalisation [Form D (CEA3)];

A descendant, second or subsequent generation, born abroad of an ascendant born in Malta whereby one of the parents of the said ascendant was also born in Malta. If the descendant is a minor, then the person who has authority over the said minor shall submit the relative application on his behalf [Form K (CEA24)] \ [Form M (CEA26)]).

 What documents do you need?

A spouse of a citizen of Malta would need to submit:

1. A joint Affidavit confirming that the applicant and the Maltese spouse have been married for 5 years and still living together;
2. One recent passport sized photo;
3. Marriage certificate (Registered in Malta);
4. Certificate/s of previous marriage/s of both applicant and the Maltese spouse;
5. Full birth certificate;
6. Passport / ID card / residence card of the applicant and of the Maltese spouse;
7. The date of birth of the parents of the Maltese spouse;
8. In case of a widow/widower of a citizen of Malta, the following documents must be presented:
   • The late spouse’s death certificate; and
   • Affidavit that couple resided together till time of death.

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150. If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of Citizenship certificate at the end of the process. Original documents will be returned to the applicant. Copies will be retained.

A former citizen of Malta would need to submit:

1. Passport;
2. Birth certificate;
3. Marriage certificate (if applicable);
4. Birth certificate of applicant’s parents;
5. A letter stating why the applicant cannot provide 6 years documentary evidence of residence abroad or a copy of the Maltese Citizenship Renunciation letter;
6. One passport size photo; and
7. A copy of the applicant’s certificate of acquisition of the citizenship he/she now holds.

Son/daughter of a female citizen of Malta would need to submit:

1. Birth certificate showing parents’ names;
2. Marriage certificate of applicant (if applicable);
3. Passport;
4. One passport size photo;
5. Birth certificate of applicant’s mother;
6. Mother’s Marriage certificate;
7. Mother’s passport;
8. Birth certificates of maternal grandparents; and
9. Marriage certificate of maternal grandparents.(If the son/daughter was born after 21^st September 1964, the Citizenship Unitmay also require documentary evidence showing that the mother was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her birth.)

A descendant, second or subsequent generation born abroad of an ascendant who was born in Malta of a parent also born in Malta, would need to submit:

1. Birth certificate;
2. Marriage certificate (if applicable);
3. Birth and marriage certificates of the individual’s ascendants to show the direct link to the ascendant born in Malta;
4. One passport size photo; and
5. Passport

The person who has authority over a minor child (who is the descendant, second or subsequent generation born abroad, of an ascendant born in Malta, of a parent also born in Malta), will be required to submit the documents listed above in (e) in respect of that child together with the documents showing his/her authorization empowering him/her to submit such application.

Notes:

• In certain cases, additional documents may be requested;
• As from 16^thApril 2010, the Citizenship Unit is no longer requesting civil status certificates issued by the Public Registry of Malta in connection with a service provided by the Unit. The Citizenship Unit shall obtain the necessary certificates on behalf of the enquirer/applicant;
• It is, however, the responsibility of the enquirer/applicant to provide the Citizenship Unit with the correct information in order to acquire the correct certificates. Although not obligatory, the presentation of a readily available marriage certificate would facilitate matters. The Unit will retain a copy of the certificate;
• In this regard, the enquirer/applicant is kindly requested to fill the Civil Status Certificates Form (CEA27). Applicants will present Birth/Marriage certificates issued by foreign Authorities and local Ecclesiastical Authorities when these records are not available at the Public Registry.

How do you apply for registration as a citizen of Malta?

1. First, one needs to submit the necessary documentation to the Citizenship Unit;
2. Once the Citizenship Unit reviews the documents submitted, the applicant will verify and sign the duly completed application form; 
3. If the applicant is a foreign spouse to a citizen of Malta, he/she and his/her Maltese spouse are required to make a joint declaration (affidavit) in order to confirm that they have been living together for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of their marriage and are still living together;
4. The Citizenship Unit will administer the necessary oaths, including the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Malta.*

*This requirement shall not apply to any person of full age but not of full capacity on behalf of whom an application is submitted with the authorisation of the Civil Court (Voluntary Jurisdiction).

• When applying through one of Malta’s Missions abroad, the administering of the necessary oaths has to be made either before an Official from the Mission who is duly authorised to act as Commissioner for Oaths or before a person who, according to the law of the country concerned, is empowered to administer oaths.

• The application will be processed by the Citizenship Unitand successful applicants will be registered as a citizen of Malta. Successful applicants will be considered citizens of Malta from the date on their certificate of registration. They will then be asked to call at the Citizenship Unit to collect their certificate.

• If the applicant was born abroad, the Citizenship Unitwill address a letter to the Director of Public Registry so that his/her birth certificate may be registered at the Public Registry Office. Applicants must present this letter to the Public Registry along with their original birth certificate, (and an official translation in English or Maltese) or a photocopy of the certificate, duly certified by a Notary Public, an Advocate or a Legal Procurator.

Notes

• A list is annually published in the Government Gazette which contains the full name of all those persons who were registered and naturalised as citizens of Malta during the preceding year.
• Malta accepts dual or multiple citizenship, however, the persons concerned are advised to verify whether their country’s citizenship law permits this since the voluntary acquisition of another citizenship may lead to the loss of their current one.
• Applicants who do not reside in Malta are advised to contact one of Malta’s Embassies or High Commissions for further information with regard to the procedures that they need to follow when submitting an application for registration. The contact details of Malta’s Diplomatic Representations Oversees can be accessed from the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion
• Maltese Representations Overseas

Application Forms & Applicable Fees

• Form B (CEA1)

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150.
If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of certificate at the end of the process.

Other Fees (if applicable):

Additional €15 on first re-registration
Additional €20 on second re-registration
Additional €25 on third re-registration
Additional €10 (each) if Oath of Allegiance is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if affidavit is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if declaration is affirmed at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.

• Form D (CEA3)

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150.
If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of certificate at the end of the process.

Other Fees (if applicable):

Additional €15 on first re-registration
Additional €20 on second re-registration
Additional €25 on third re-registration
Additional €10 (each) if Oath of Allegiance is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if affidavit is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if declaration is affirmed at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.

• Form I (CEA4)

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150.
If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of certificate at the end of the process.

Other Fees (if applicable):

Additional €15 on first re-registration
Additional €20 on second re-registration
Additional €25 on third re-registration
Additional €10 (each) if Oath of Allegiance is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if affidavit is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if declaration is affirmed at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.

• Form K (CEA24)

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150.
If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of certificate at the end of the process.

Other Fees (if applicable):

Additional €15 on first re-registration
Additional €20 on second re-registration
Additional €25 on third re-registration
Additional €10 (each) if Oath of Allegiance is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if declaration is affirmed at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.

• Form M (CEA26)

The application may be submitted against a fee of €150.
If the application is acceded to, a further €50 has to be paid upon collection of certificate at the end of the process.

Other Fees (if applicable):

Additional €10 (each) if affidavit is sworn at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.
Additional €10 (each) if declaration is affirmed at the Citizenship Unit in front of a person duly authorised to act as a Commissioner for Oaths.

• Civil Status Certificates Form (CEA27)

Free of Charge