Argentina transmits citizenship to children of native Argentine citizens born abroad. The process is handled at Argentine Consulates and requires an in-person 'OPCION' appointment. All documents must be apostilled and names must match exactly across all records.
Legal Basis
Argentine Citizenship Act (Ley 346), as amended. Article 1 establishes jus soli citizenship; Article 2 establishes jus sanguinis citizenship for children of native Argentines born abroad.
Argentine citizenship by descent is governed by the Argentine Citizenship Act (Ley 346). Children born abroad to native Argentine citizens (those born in Argentina) are entitled to Argentine citizenship. The right does not extend to grandchildren or more distant descendants — only the children of native Argentines qualify. The process involves submitting an application at an Argentine Consular Office, with an in-person 'OPCION' appointment required. All documents must be apostilled, and names must match exactly across all birth certificates and identification documents — any discrepancy (initials, abbreviations, or spelling variations) can cause delays or rejections. Argentina allows dual citizenship.
Step-by-Step Process
1: Obtain your birth certificate and Argentine parent's birth certificate — Local vital records + Argentine civil registry (Registro Civil) · 2–4 weeks · $20–$50
2: Apostille all foreign documents — Secretary of State (for US documents) · 1–3 weeks · $20–$50 per document
3: Book and attend OPCION appointment at Argentine Consulate — Argentine Consulate in your country · 1 day appointment · $80 OPCION fee
4: Argentine Consulate processes application and issues DNI (national ID) — Argentine Consulate · 2–6 months · $15 DNI fee
Argentine passport provides visa-free access to 171 countries including the EU Schengen Area
Argentina allows dual citizenship — no renunciation required
MERCOSUR membership provides freedom of movement within South America
Argentina has a rich cultural heritage and one of Latin America's largest economies
Low total cost — one of the cheapest citizenship by descent pathways globally
Considerations
Parent-only generation limit — grandchildren of Argentines do not qualify
Parent must be a native Argentine (born in Argentina) — naturalized Argentines cannot pass citizenship by descent
Names must match exactly across all documents — any discrepancy causes delays
In-person OPCION appointment required at Argentine Consulate
Requirements
Your birth certificate (apostilled)
Argentine parent's birth certificate (apostilled, from Argentine civil registry)
Your current passport (copy)
Completed application form
$80 OPCION fee + $15 DNI fee
Tax Considerations
Argentina taxes residents on worldwide income. Non-resident Argentine citizens (living abroad) are generally taxed only on Argentine-sourced income. Argentina has a territorial tax system for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
My mother was born in Argentina — do I qualify?
Yes. If your mother was born in Argentina (a native Argentine), you qualify for Argentine citizenship by descent under Ley 346. You need to attend an OPCION appointment at an Argentine Consulate.
My grandfather was Argentine but my father was not born in Argentina — do I qualify?
No. Argentina's descent pathway only covers children of native Argentines (those born in Argentina). Grandchildren do not qualify under the standard pathway.
Does Argentina allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Argentina allows dual citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce your foreign citizenship when claiming Argentine citizenship by descent.