Acquiring Iranian Citizenship by Descent

Eligibility Criteria (2026)

✅ Children born anywhere to an Iranian father are automatically Iranian citizens by descent (Article 976, Civil Code).
✅ Since 2020, children born to an Iranian mother and foreign father can apply for citizenship, provided the mother registers the application (amendment effective June 2020).
✅ For maternal descent, applicants over 18 born before 2020 can apply independently if their mother is deceased or unavailable.

✅ Applicant’s birth certificate (legalized/apostilled and translated into Persian if necessary).
✅ Iranian parent’s birth certificate or citizenship proof (e.g., Iranian passport or national ID - Shenashnameh).
✅ Valid identification of the Iranian parent (e.g., current passport or national ID).
✅ Applicant’s valid passport or identification document (if applicable).
✅ For maternal descent: Marriage certificate of parents (if registered) and security clearance documentation.

📍 For paternal descent: Citizenship is automatic at birth; register with an Iranian embassy/consulate or Civil Registry to obtain documents.
📍 For maternal descent: Submit an application through the mother (or independently if over 18) to the Ministry of Interior or an Iranian embassy/consulate.
📍 Undergo security vetting by the Intelligence Ministry and Revolutionary Guard Corps (required for maternal descent cases).
📍 Await processing (typically 3-6 months, depending on security clearance).
📍 Upon approval, receive a citizenship certificate and apply for an Iranian passport or national ID.

📌 Iran does **not recognize dual citizenship** (Article 989, Civil Code). Claiming Iranian citizenship requires renouncing foreign nationality.
📌 Maternal descent applications face security checks, unlike paternal descent, which is automatic.
📌 More details can be found via the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.