Citizenship 24 hours after marriage registration. No residency, no language test, no investment.
Legal Basis
Law 346 (Ley de Ciudadanía y Naturalización), Article 2, as amended. The law grants citizenship by marriage to foreign spouses of Argentine nationals with no waiting period after the marriage is registered in Argentina.
Wait Period
1 day after marriage registration
Cost
~$300–$500 (legal fees, document apostilles)
Timeline
3–6 months total (document prep + registration + passport issuance)
Presence Required
Must be present in Argentina for marriage registration
Passport Rank
~#20 globally (Henley Index)
Visa-Free Countries
171 destinations
Overview
Argentina offers the world's fastest citizenship by marriage. Under Article 2 of Law 346 (as amended), a foreign national who marries an Argentine citizen becomes eligible for citizenship the very next day after the marriage is registered in Argentina. There is no minimum residency period, no language requirement, and no investment threshold. The total cost is under $500.
Step-by-Step Process
1: Obtain apostilled birth certificate and proof of single status (affidavit or certificate of no impediment) — Home country · 2–4 weeks · $50–$150
2: Have all documents translated to Spanish by a certified translator — Argentina or home country · 1–2 weeks · $100–$200
3: Register the marriage at the Argentine Civil Registry (Registro Civil) — Argentina · 1 day (appointment required) · $50–$100
4: File citizenship application (Naturalización) at the National Immigration Directorate (DNM) the following day — Buenos Aires or provincial office · 1 day · $50
5: Attend interview and biometrics appointment — DNM office · 1–4 weeks wait · Included
6: Receive citizenship certificate and apply for Argentine passport (DNI) — DNM / Registro Nacional de las Personas · 4–8 weeks · $50–$100
Advantages
Fastest citizenship by marriage in the world — legally eligible the day after registration
No residency requirement — you do not need to live in Argentina
No language test, no income requirement, no investment
Argentina passport: visa-free access to 171 destinations including EU Schengen, UK, Japan
Argentina allows dual citizenship — no need to renounce US or other citizenship
Territorial tax system — Argentine citizens living abroad pay no Argentine income tax on foreign-source income
Mercosur passport: free movement in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Considerations
Must be physically present in Argentina for the marriage registration
Argentine passport processing can take 4–8 weeks
Marriage must be genuine — fraudulent marriages are prosecuted
Argentina's economy is volatile; the passport's value is tied to diplomatic relations
Some countries (notably the US) may scrutinize Argentine citizenship obtained by marriage
Requirements
Valid passport from home country
Apostilled birth certificate (translated to Spanish)
Proof of single status / Certificate of No Impediment (apostilled, translated)
Argentine spouse's DNI (national identity document) and birth certificate
Proof of marriage registration in Argentina
Two passport-sized photos
Proof of address in Argentina (for DNM application)
Tax Considerations
Argentina uses a territorial tax system for non-residents. If you obtain Argentine citizenship but do not reside in Argentina, you are not subject to Argentine income tax on foreign-source income. Argentine residents are taxed on worldwide income. The Argentine peso's instability means there is no meaningful tax treaty exposure for most applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in Argentina to keep my citizenship?
No. Argentine citizenship obtained by marriage does not require ongoing residency. You can live anywhere in the world and retain your Argentine citizenship and passport indefinitely.
Is the marriage-to-citizenship process really just one day?
The legal eligibility is established the day after marriage registration. However, the practical timeline is 3–6 months total because of document preparation, apostilles, translations, and the passport issuance queue. The 'one day' refers to the waiting period between marriage and citizenship eligibility — not the total process time.
Does Argentina allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Argentina has allowed dual citizenship since 1987. You do not need to renounce your existing citizenship to become an Argentine citizen.
Can I marry in Argentina if I don't speak Spanish?
Yes. You can hire a certified interpreter for the civil ceremony. The Civil Registry will accept the marriage with an interpreter present.
What if my home country doesn't recognize dual citizenship?
This depends on your home country's laws, not Argentina's. Argentina will grant you citizenship regardless. Whether your home country recognizes or penalizes dual citizenship is a separate question you should research for your specific nationality.