Saint Kitts and NevisRegistration of citizenship

Registration of children's citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Registration of citizenship for minor children whose parents obtained citizenship of the Federation through marriage, residence or investment. The child receives citizenship without naturalisation and without taking an oath. The application goes through the Ministry of National Security. The citizenship is indefinite and carries the full rights of a citizen. The children work in the country without a separate work permit and need no residence permit.

Threshold

Registration of a minor — 340 XCD.

Work

A citizen works in the country without a work permit.

The child need not go through a separate permanent residence stage.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St Kitts and Nevis — Types of Citizenship

Who can register citizenship

Registration is open to several categories of children whose parents have already obtained citizenship or meet certain conditions.

Children of citizens by marriage

One or both parents obtained citizenship through marriage to a citizen
The child is in the care of one of those citizens
Aged no more than eighteen at the time of registration

Children of citizens by residence

One or both parents obtained citizenship after fourteen years of lawful residence
The child lives with the citizen parent
Aged no more than eighteen, inclusive

Children of citizens by investment

The parent obtained citizenship through the investment programme
The child was born after the parent obtained citizenship, or born before and added afterwards
Aged no more than eighteen at the time of registration

When the programme will not suit you

The child has already turned nineteen

Naturalisation through a period of residence, or citizenship by descent

Neither parent holds citizenship of the Federation

Citizenship by descent, where a grandmother or grandfather was a citizen

Citizenship is needed urgently

Naturalisation with the set period of residence (fourteen years)

What it costs

Registration of a minor's citizenshipThe main fee for registering one child	340 XCD

Paid separately

The passport book — Arranged separately once the certificate of citizenship has been issued
Document translation — Where the documents are drawn up in English, no translation is required

Documents to gather

The set of documents comprises the registration form and supporting material about the child and the parents.

Form R.4 for the registration of citizenship (two original copies, completed in blue ink)
The child's birth certificate (original or notarised copy)
The child's passport, where they have one (notarised copy)
Two photographs 35 × 45 millimetres on a white background with the ears visible (notarised on the reverse)
The passport or citizenship certificate of each parent
The marriage certificate, or a document confirming guardianship (where the parent is a guardian rather than a biological parent)
The application, signed by the guardian or by one of the parents

How the process runs

Registration involves preparing the documents, filing the application with the Ministry of National Security and awaiting the decision.

1
Gathering and preparing the documents
1-2 weeks
Gather originals or notarised copies of every required document. Complete form R.4 in duplicate in blue ink. Make sure the photographs, 35 × 45 millimetres, meet the requirements (white background, ears visible, notarised).
2
Notarising the documents
a few days
The necessary documents must be signed and witnessed by a judge, a magistrate, a notary, a commissioner for oaths, a justice of the peace or a consular officer. The signature on form R.4 must also be witnessed.
3
Filing the application with the Ministry of National Security
1 day
The parent or guardian files the complete set of documents with the Federation's Ministry of National Security. Keep the receipt confirming that the documents were accepted, for reference.
4
Preliminary check of the documents
1-2 weeks
Officials check that the material filed is complete and correct. Where documents are missing, you are asked to supply them.
5
Consideration of the application by the minister
up to two years (where enquiries are ordered)
The minister may order enquiries on further grounds. Where enquiries are made, the decision must be taken no later than two years from the day the application was received. Where no enquiries are made, the process may finish sooner.
6
Issue of the certificate of citizenship
a few days after approval
Once the registration is approved, a certificate of citizenship is issued in the child's name. The document confirms that citizenship of the Federation has been granted.
7
Arranging the passport (a separate procedure)
2-4 weeks
The passport is arranged separately on the strength of the certificate of citizenship. This is done at the passport office or through the consular missions.

Who you can bring with you

Registration covers the minor child alone; the parents must already hold citizenship.

Each child in the family

Registered separately; form R.4 is filed for each child. A fee of 340 XCD is charged for each minor.

Adult family members

Not covered by the registration programme. An adult relative who wishes to obtain citizenship must choose another route (naturalisation, citizenship by descent, marriage or investment).

Guardians (not biological parents)

A guardian may file the application on the child's behalf, but must supply the document appointing them and proof of their status.

Renewal and the grace period

Citizenship obtained by registration is indefinite and needs no renewal. The passport issued on the strength of that citizenship has, however, a limited validity (five years for minors under sixteen, ten years for adults) and must be renewed on expiry in the usual way through the passport office.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Citizenship of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis for the minor

Frequently asked questions about Registration of children's citizenship

Who may file the application to register citizenship — only a parent, or a guardian too?

The application may be filed by a biological parent or by the child's legal guardian. Where a guardian files it, they must attach the official document appointing them. The signature on the application must be witnessed by a judge, a magistrate, a notary, a commissioner for oaths, a justice of the peace or a consular officer.

What is the maximum age of a child for registration of citizenship?

The maximum age is eighteen, inclusive. Children older than that cannot register citizenship through this route and must choose an alternative, such as naturalisation through residence or citizenship by descent.

How long does an application to register citizenship take?

Registration of citizenship is usually considered within about three months from the filing of a complete set of documents with the Ministry of National Security. Where the minister orders further enquiries at their discretion, the decision must be taken no later than two years from the receipt of the application.

Which documents must be notarised when the application is filed?

Form R.4 and the photographs must be notarised. The main documents, such as the birth certificate and the passport, may be supplied as originals or as notarised copies. Every signature must be witnessed by a judge, a magistrate, a notary, a commissioner for oaths, a justice of the peace or a consular officer.

Other ways to move to Saint Kitts and Nevis

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.