Getting Peruvian Citizenship

Updated 28 April 2011

***Be sure you ask at immigrations about your visa as rules and fees seem to change often. ***

This article has two sections: Immigrant Visas and Naturalisation. For Naturalisation, please scroll down.

Immigrant Visa
If you've been in Peru for two years, but do not want to get citizenship, you can get an immigrant visa (inmigrante). This is long-term residency visa, so you don't have to renew your residency every year. However, you DO still have to pay the foreigner's tax. I'm not sure if you can get an inmigrante visa if you have a retirement visa. So you'll have to ask at Immigrations.


Naturalisation
The required time for naturalisation is two years after getting your CE. You will have to give back your CE once you get your naturalisation document and you will have to change your name. For those married to Peruvians, it's simply two years. For those not married, you have to have Peruvian residency for two years as well as pass tests in the Spanish language, history and culture of Peru. For those with Peruvian parents, there is no time requirement, however you must first have a CE. DIGEMIN has the general requirements for naturalisation.

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Dual Nationality
Dual (multi) citizenship isn't recognised by all countries. It is, however, recognised by Peru. The US government and the Australian government have lists of which countries allow dual citizenship. According to the US, Peru doesn't allow dual citizenship, however, there are lots of loopholes. As you can see on the Australian link. It says that dual citizenship is allowed in some form in Peru. Dual citizenship IS allowed. Peru does, begrudingly, recognise it, so there's no need to worry. I'm an American and got Peruvian citizenship due to marriage. I'm now a dual citizen.

In order for you to get dual citizenship your country of origin will also have to recognise dual citizenship. You will have to check with your home country though. For example, if you're German and want to get Peruvian citizenship, you have to give up your German citizenship. Exceptions to this are children born to parents with different citizenships. Check with your home country's embassy for more information.

Other places, like the US, do acknowledge and allow dual citizenship (yes, the US does and has allowed dual citizenship for about 50 years. They simply don't encourage it and you ALWAYS must enter and exit the US on your US passport.) I went to the US Embassy and signed a document that I made saying that I didn't want to give up US citizenship. They told me that it really wasn't necessary because it's very difficult and there's lots of paperwork to give up US citizenship (except for extreme cases, like terrorism). For more info about US law check RickW and the State Department's Website.

Required Name Change
Be aware that you will most likely have your name changed if you get citizenship. If you only have one last name, you will be forced to take two (your father's last name and your mother's). NB: Some people have been forced to change their names, others haven't. It seems that MEN are not asked to add their mother's last name, but WOMEN are. In fact, some men have asked to add their mother's last name and have been refused. I was forced to add my mother's last name and told I had to add in order to become Peruvian. I spent a couple hours talking with the workers and administration, they refused to change their minds. Yet men don't have to change their names. Go figure, this is one of the many reasons why I left Peru. You can see more on this discussion at Expat Peru.

This means that you will have to change your bank account, pension, and any property, such as a house, apartment or car to your new name. If you are married, you can also add the "de" and your husband's last name, though this is optional. (You would have three last names: your father's, mother's, "de" and your husband's.) This is done at RENIEC, when you get your naturalisation cert, it will just have two last names (your father's last name and your mother's).

For the bank accounts, you just go to the bank with your bank card and DNI. Same goes for your pension plan. For the propery you'll have to go to SUNARP and bring a letter explaining the change as well as notarised copies of your DNI, CE, Naturalisation paper. You'll also have to fill out a form. If you're married you'll need your original partida de matrimonio (marriage license) and a notarised copy of your spouse's DNI.

Changing your Documents after Naturalisation
You will have to change important documents, such as your bank accounts, property title, car title, driving license, pension plan, last will and testimony, etc. In order to do this you usually need two documents: a notarised copy of your CE and your original DNI. The last step of naturalisation is handing over your CE. BEFORE you do this, be sure to make a couple notarised copies.

Time to Get Citizenship
If you're married to a Peruvian, it usually takes a total of three to six months for the whole procees. This includes getting the documents, receiving citizenship, getting your DNI and passport.

If you're not married to a Peruvian, it takes about a year just for citizenship. Since you're not married to a Peruvian you have to the culture, history, and language test and get the President's signature, which can take from 3-6 months.


People Who Have Received Peruvian Citizenship
Some people from Expat Peru have gotten citizenship. Try contacting them if you have questions. They might be able to help you out.
● paddington82: American, received unknown
● sarahdavida: American, received unknown
● naturegirl: American, January 2009
● american_in_lima: American, October 2009
● RobB: American, 2009
● aqpgeo: American, January 2010
● wisconsin traveler: American, April 2010
● Remigius: Dutch, September 2010
● Alan: Canadian, October 2010
● markr: British, December 2010
● DC_20833: December 2010
● fanning: Dutch, January 2011
● gerard: British, February 2011
● Yuyis: Dutch, May 2011

People Who Are Planning on getting citizenship
● MartitaAQP: unknown, expected 2011
● stuart: unknown, expected 2011
● Chiclayo Gringo: American
● cuymagico: unknown
● Kelly: American
● LauraMH: American

Steps for Naturalisation due to Marriage
A list of required documents can be found in the section below. You can also see DIGEMIN requirements.)

1. Make copies of everything so that they can stamp your copies. Leave the orginals at the Mesa de Partes at Immigrations. Don't leave the registration fee. They will tell you when to come back, it's usually three to five days. Bring the registration fee with you when you come back.

2. Then you will have to go to the naturalisation office on the 3rd floor, they will check your documents. It opens at 8:00 am and closes at 1pm. You will give them your registration fee.

3. You will then have to come back again, usually between 5 and 15 days. They will then make you sign papers and fingerprint you. You should also get either certified copies or notarised copies of your carne (CE). You'll need it to change your name and data on things such as your car, house, bank accounts, etc.

To get notarised ones, simply go to a notary. For certified copies of your carne, you need to fill out form F002 (Either click on the link and print it off the website. Ignore the description, just find F002, open the document and print it. Or get it for free at immigrations.), pay about 15 soles at the Banco de la Nacion and make 5 copies. You leave these at the Mesa de Partes and can pick them up in two days. (This MUST be done before you pick up your naturalisation document. In order to get your naturalisation document you have to give them back your CE. And in order to pick up the certified copies of your CE, you need your CE.)

4. You will set up an appointment so that a police officer will visit you at home in order to make sure you live where you say.

5. You will set up another appointment so that you and your spouse will have to be interviewed by the director.

6. You'll have to wait about 15 -20 days. Then they will give you your naturalisation document and tell you how to get certified copies of your naturalisation document, which you need to get your DNI. The register has two parts: one part stays in the register and the other part is given to you as your titulo of citizenship. When you sign the register you will have to give them your carne (so make sure you get notarised or certified copies of it BEFORE you sign the register.)

NB: You need certified copies of your titulo to get a DNI, a Peruvian passport and also for many other tramites. By filling in form F002 (Either click on the link and print it off the website. Ignore the description, just find F002, open the document and print it. Or get it for free at immigrations.), paying 15 soles and giving them 5 copies of the titulo, they will notarize the 5 copies. You have to wait two days and then you can pick them up.

Do NOT pay at Immigrations. The lines are always so long, you'll probably wait for an hour or two. Pay at another Banco de la Nacion. A good one is on Pardo in Miraflores. It usually takes about 20 minutes at that one.

The steps to get your DNI can be found at RENIEC. One thing to remember, at RENIEC they will probably tell you that you need two witnesses in order for you to get your DNI (because you're over 18). This is WRONG. Because you were naturalised and not born Peruvian, you do NOT need witnesses. Show them your titulo and there will be two signatures there. Those take the place of the witnesses. If they still give you trouble, ask to talk to a supervisor and make a scene.

Three different ways to get Peruvian citizenship can be found below.
1. Naturalisation for those NOT married to a Peruvian.
2. Naturalisation for those married to a Peruvian.
3. Naturalisation for those with Peruvian parent(s)

1. Naturalisation for those NOT married to a Peruvian
Foreigners with resident status are also eligible. See DIGEMIN for more information. See letters to immigration. You will have to take the culture, history, and language test and get the President's signature (which can take from 3-6 months) as well as fulfill the general requirements (you have to have residency in Peru for two years with a valid CE).

2. Naturalisation due to marriage
For those married to Peruvians, you simply have to have residency for two years. You can find info in Spanish at DIGEMIN. All payments should be made at the Banco de la Nacion.
● 4 passport size photos.
● Your original and a notarised copy of your carne de extranjeria that shows two years residency (with foreigner's tax paid, and residency up to date)
● An original copy of your spouse's birth certificate. (They're only valid for 30 days)
● A simple copy of your spouse's DNI showing casada status.
● A letter to the Director of Immigration asking for your application to be considered. You can find one at DIGIMEN or in letters to immigration.
● A statutory declaration that you are healthy and have no criminal convictions. You can find one at DIGIMEN or in letters to immigration.
● Form F006 (Either click on the link and print it off the website. Ignore the description, just find F006, open the document and print it. Or get it for free at immigrations.)
● Fee for Form F006, 47.88 soles, payable at the Banco de la Nacion.
● Your original Peruvian marriage certificate showing 2 years of marriage. If you got married abroad, you'll have to have registered (see getting your CE for how to register your marriage)your marriage previously with RENIEC and show your Peruvian marriage certificate.
● Receipt for the registration fee, 36 soles, payable at the Banco de la Nacion.

NOTE: I would imagine that there are exceptions to the 2 years of marriage. For example, if you had another CE for a year, then got married and were on a marriage visa for a year, then you would have two years of residence in Peru, BUT only one year of marriage. If you have had a valid CE for two years, but have been married for less, check with immigrations.

3. Naturalisation for overage children of Peruvians
NB: This was told to me by a person who went through the process back in 2008. I'm not sure if it's still possible or not.
For those with Peruvian parents, there is no time requirement to getting citizenship. (However, in order to get citizenship through your parents, first you must have a CE (carne de extranjeria), which means that you legally reside in Peru. If you don't have a CE, follow the steps below. Since your parents are Peruvian, you don't have to wait two years like other foreigners, you can do it right after you get your CE.) If you're underage, see DIGIMEN. Here is one way to get citizenship. Other ways can be found in DIGIMEN

● Form F006 (Either click on the link and print it off the website. Ignore the description, just find F006, open the document and print it. Or get it for free at immigrations.)
● Pay 47.88 soles for Form F006 at the Banco de la Nacion (keep the recipt)
● Pay 36 soles for naturalisation feevat the Banco de la Nacion (keep the recipt)
● Solicitud (number 8 in letters to immigration)
● Your birth cert, legalised by the Peruvian Consulate/Embassy, translated by an official translator, then legalised by RREE.
● Copy of your passport
● Declaration saying that you are healthy and have no criminal record (numbers 5 and 6 in letters to immigration)
● CE with foreigner's tax paid, and residency up to date
● DNI of your Peruvian parent
● Four passport sized photos


CE for Children of Peruvians Over the Age of 18
All payments should be made at the Banco de la Nacion. (This is just one way to get a CE, there are others, see DIGIMEN for a complete list.)

1. Pay 50 dollars for permission to sign contracts. (Letters to immigrations can be found in letters to immigration.)

2. Get hired by a company or you talk to one of your friends who has company with a registered RUC, and sign the contract.

3. Pay 12.60 soles at the Banco de la Nacion (ingresar contratos) take it to the Ministerio del Trabajo on Av. El Aire in San Borja, present your birth certificate, your Peruvian parents birth certificate or DNI to prove that you are related to a Peruvian, and the contract signed, they review it and give you the necessary stamp.

4. Once this is done go to Immigrations and show this to the immigration officer. (He will ask you how you got the contract approved. Show him the proof, you are the son or daughter of a Peruvian. You have to return in 10 days to see whether the visa is ready for pick up. While waiting, do the INTERPOL check about this time so it can be ready once you are a resident.

5. Follow the steps for getting your carne.

6. Once you get the carne de extranjeria you gather all the requirements for the nationalisation process, see below.

Resources: Check out the Ultimate Peru List's recommended ebooks and The LA Jobs List's free list of schools in Peru.