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Citizenship declaration for a child born abroad (father or non-birth mother is a Finnish citizen)

Use this declaration to apply for Finnish citizenship for a child born abroad who is born out of wedlock to a father who is a Finnish citizen and a mother who is not a Finnish citizen. You can submit the declaration if you have custody of the child or you are the child’s legal guardian. The paternity must be established abroad or in Finland before you submit the declaration.

Use this declaration to apply for Finnish citizenship for a child born abroad also if the child has two mothers, and only the mother who has not given birth to the child has Finnish citizenship. The maternity of the non-birth mother must be established abroad or in Finland before you submit the declaration.

  • Expected processing time for electronic application

    10 months

  • Expected processing time for paper application

    10 months

  • Electronic application fee

    80 €

  • Paper application fee

    100 €

This is what you should do

1

Make sure the child meets the requirements for becoming a citizen.

2

Make sure you have all the attachments needed for the application and that they are up to date. If necessary, have them translated and legalised.

3

Fill in your application.

4

Pay for your electronic application in the e-service Enter Finland. Pay for a paper application at a service point.

5

If you are abroad, visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) with the child to prove your identities. If you are in Finland, book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service for you and your child to prove your identities.

6

Wait for a decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.

Requirements

Make sure your child meets the following requirements:

  • the child was born on 1 June 2003 or later,
  • the child was born out of wedlock, and the father and mother have not married after the child was born

Also make sure, that

  • the child’s father or the non-birth mother is a Finnish citizen or was a Finnish citizen when the child was born.
  • paternity or the maternity of the non-birth mother has been established abroad or in Finland before submitting the declaration

These requirements must be met at the time you submit your declaration.

Application-specific attachments

  • Proof of the father’s or the non-birth mother’s Finnish citizenship at the time the applicant was born.
    • For example, a copy of a valid Finnish passport and a residence permit in the country of residence, or a certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of residence, showing that the father or the non-birth mother had not become a citizen of his or her country of residence.
    • In principle, proof is not required in the following situations:
      • The father or the non-birth mother has not resided outside Finland or has only resided in the Nordic countries
      • The father or the non-birth mother has become a Finnish citizen on application and has resided in Finland until the applicant was born.
      • The father or the non-birth mother has become a citizen of another state on 1 June 2003 or later.
  • A birth certificate indicating the child's parents and place of birth if the applicant is not registered in the Finnish Population Information System.
  • A certificate of the applicant’s nationality (for example, a copy of a valid passport or another identity document which shows his or her nationality) if the applicant is not registered in the Population Information System.
  • Documentation of the confirmation of paternity or the maternity of the non-birth mother.
  • Proof that the father or the non-birth mother has custody of the child if the father or the non-birth mother is submitting the declaration.
  • Proof of appointment of a legal guardian if the guardian submits the declaration.