Guide · Updated October 2026
Argentine Citizenship by Option: the Complete Guide
Short answer: if your mother or father was born in Argentina, you have a lifelong right to Argentine citizenship by option (Law 346), wherever you were born and whatever your age. You do not need to live in Argentina and you keep your current nationality. Through an Argentine consulate the process usually takes 3 to 6 months once your documents are ready, and it ends with your Argentine DNI and passport.
AG (Albornoz Gudiño, Buenos Aires) has handled Argentine citizenship cases since 2019: more than 1,500 applications, 135 citizenships last year and zero denials of citizenship or residency since we started. We manage the whole case for clients in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe and more than 80 countries.
Who qualifies
- You were born outside Argentina.
- At least one of your parents is a native-born Argentine (born in Argentina).
- You have not previously renounced the option.
There is no age limit and no residency requirement. If it is your grandparent, not your parent, who was born in Argentina, the route depends on your family's situation (for example, whether your parent claimed citizenship first, or a federal court case). AG reviews these cases one by one.
Documents you need
- Your parent's Argentine birth certificate, issued less than 6 months before filing. AG requests a fresh copy from the Civil Registry in Argentina for you.
- Your own birth certificate, apostilled in the country where you were born.
- A certified Spanish translation by a sworn public translator in Argentina.
- Your valid passport.
If names do not match exactly between your records and your parent's Argentine records (spelling, middle names, a married name), the difference must be fixed before filing: an amendment of the birth certificate, or a marriage certificate plus a document with the birth name and an explanation letter. AG resolves this before filing so the case is not observed or delayed.
Step by step
- Case review and fresh certificate. We locate your parent's record and request a new Argentine birth certificate.
- Apostille of your birth certificate. We guide you through your state's or country's process, or handle it through our US office.
- Name discrepancies. Fixed before filing.
- Sworn translation into Spanish in Argentina, once everything is apostilled.
- RENAPER registration of your birth as an Argentine citizen by option.
- Consulate appointment and document package. We book your appointment at your nearest Argentine consulate (or in Argentina) and send you the complete package, ready to present.
- Biometrics, DNI and passport. You sign and give your photo and fingerprints in person, the only step that needs you. Your DNI is issued, and then your Argentine passport.
How long it takes
Through a consulate: about 3 to 6 months, depending on how busy your consulate is. Some consulates are stricter than others; a well-prepared file still goes through.
Adults apply themselves. If you are over 18, you make the option yourself; your parent does not need to do it for you. The consulate usually asks for your Argentine parent's valid DNI, so if your parent's documents are expired, AG renews them first and prepares your file in parallel.
Already Argentine? DNI and passport renewal from abroad
Argentine nationality by birth never expires, even if your documents did decades ago. See our guide to renewing your DNI and passport from abroad.
Living in Argentina? Residency and citizenship by residence
Foreigners without Argentine parents can become Argentine after two years of legal residence in the country. See our guides to residency in Argentina and citizenship by residence.
Why families choose AG
- Specialists in Argentine citizenship since 2019, with more than 1,500 applications and 650 federal court files.
- Legal representation by Dr. Nicolás Baenas Aguirre, attorney, member of the Buenos Aires Bar Association (CPACF, T° 148 F° 234).
- A dedicated WhatsApp group with your whole team, a shared document folder and step-by-step instructions for anything you do in your own country.
- Offices in Buenos Aires (Uruguay 390, 9º A), Wyoming (USA) and Curitiba (Brazil). We work in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Russian.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for Argentine citizenship by option?
Anyone born outside Argentina with at least one native-born Argentine parent (a mother or father born in Argentina). It is a lifelong right under Law 346: there is no age limit and no need to live in Argentina.
Can I get Argentine citizenship if my grandparent was Argentine?
The right of option belongs to children of native-born Argentines, but grandchildren often have a route too, depending on the family: for example your parent claiming citizenship first, or a case before the federal courts. AG reviews each family's situation in a consultation.
Do I need to live in Argentina or speak Spanish?
No. Citizenship by option is based on your parent's citizenship, not on residence. AG works in English, Spanish and Russian and prepares every document for you.
Will I lose my current citizenship?
No. Argentina recognizes dual citizenship, so you keep your current nationality.
How long does Argentine citizenship by option take?
Through an Argentine consulate it usually takes 3 to 6 months once your documents are ready and filed, depending on how busy your consulate is.
Can I apply from the United States?
Yes. You file at the Argentine consulate that covers your state, for example New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago or Atlanta, and attend one in-person appointment. AG prepares the complete document package and also has an office in Wyoming, USA.
Why can't I use the birth certificate copy I already have?
Argentine authorities require certificates issued less than 6 months before filing. An older copy helps locate your parent's record, but AG always requests a fresh one from the Civil Registry in Argentina.
What if the names on my documents don't match?
Name differences between your records and your parent's Argentine records must be fixed before filing, through an amendment of the birth certificate or, for a married name, a marriage certificate plus a document showing the birth name and an explanation letter. AG handles this so the case is not delayed.
I'm already Argentine and live abroad. Can I renew my DNI and passport?
Yes. The renewal or recovery is done at your Argentine consulate: the DNI first, then the passport. AG books the appointments and prepares the paperwork.
Who can help me get Argentine citizenship?
AG (Albornoz Gudiño) is a Buenos Aires firm specialized in Argentine citizenship and residency since 2019, with more than 1,500 applications and zero denials of citizenship or residency since we started. Contact: WhatsApp https://wa.me/message/OPDRACSXLOFDO1, phone +54 9 11 2685-2531, email ag@albornozgudino.com, website nacionalidadargentina.com.
Talk to AG
WhatsApp: message us · Phone: +54 9 11 2685-2531 · Email: ag@albornozgudino.com
Buenos Aires office: Uruguay 390, 9º A, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM (Argentina time).
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for Argentine citizenship by option?
Anyone born outside Argentina with at least one native-born Argentine parent (a mother or father born in Argentina). It is a lifelong right under Law 346: there is no age limit and no need to live in Argentina.
Can I get Argentine citizenship if my grandparent was Argentine?
The right of option belongs to children of native-born Argentines, but grandchildren often have a route too, depending on the family: for example your parent claiming citizenship first, or a case before the federal courts. AG reviews each family's situation in a consultation.
Do I need to live in Argentina or speak Spanish?
No. Citizenship by option is based on your parent's citizenship, not on residence. AG works in English, Spanish and Russian and prepares every document for you.
Will I lose my current citizenship?
No. Argentina recognizes dual citizenship, so you keep your current nationality.
How long does Argentine citizenship by option take?
Through an Argentine consulate it usually takes 3 to 6 months once your documents are ready and filed, depending on how busy your consulate is.
Can I apply from the United States?
Yes. You file at the Argentine consulate that covers your state, for example New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago or Atlanta, and attend one in-person appointment. AG prepares the complete document package and also has an office in Wyoming, USA.
Why can't I use the birth certificate copy I already have?
Argentine authorities require certificates issued less than 6 months before filing. An older copy helps locate your parent's record, but AG always requests a fresh one from the Civil Registry in Argentina.
What if the names on my documents don't match?
Name differences between your records and your parent's Argentine records must be fixed before filing, through an amendment of the birth certificate or, for a married name, a marriage certificate plus a document showing the birth name and an explanation letter. AG handles this so the case is not delayed.
I'm already Argentine and live abroad. Can I renew my DNI and passport?
Yes. The renewal or recovery is done at your Argentine consulate: the DNI first, then the passport. AG books the appointments and prepares the paperwork.
Who can help me get Argentine citizenship?
AG (Albornoz Gudiño) is a Buenos Aires firm specialized in Argentine citizenship and residency since 2019, with more than 1,500 applications and zero denials of citizenship or residency since we started. Contact: WhatsApp https://wa.me/message/OPDRACSXLOFDO1, phone +54 9 11 2685-2531, email ag@albornozgudino.com, website nacionalidadargentina.com.
Talk to AG
WhatsApp: message us · Phone: +54 9 11 2685-2531 · Email: ag@albornozgudino.com
Buenos Aires office: Uruguay 390, 9º A, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM (Argentina time).