Citizenship declaration for an adult whose parent is a Finnish citizen
You can use this declaration to apply for Finnish citizenship if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You were born abroad outside marriage on 1 June 2003 or later. Only your father is a Finnish citizen.
- You were born abroad outside marriage on 1 June 2003 or later and you have 2 mothers. Only your non-birth mother is a Finnish citizen.
- You were born in Finland on 1 June 2003 or later. Your Finnish father’s paternity or your Finnish mother’s maternity has been established after you have reached 18 years of age.
You must be at least 18 years of age to submit a citizenship declaration. If you wish to apply for Finnish citizenship at the same time for a minor child in your care, fill in a supplement form for him or her.
You will automatically obtain Finnish citizenship if one of your parents is a Finnish citizen and your parents have married each other before you turned 18. In such a case, submitting a citizenship declaration is not required. Instead, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency will enter your Finnish citizenship in the Population Information System.
You will find the citizenship declaration form at the foot of this page. This citizenship declaration can only be submitted on paper. Please read the instructions on this page before filling in the form.
This is what you should do:
Get ready for applying
- Your identity has been reliably established.
- To provide proof of your identity, you need to present reliable identity documents (such as a passport) or provide other reliable information on your name, date of birth, citizenship, and family relations. We will take into account all information that you have provided earlier about your identity.
- You meet one of the following conditions:
- You were born abroad outside marriage on 1 June 2003 or later. Only your father was a Finnish citizen.
- You were born abroad outside marriage on 1 June 2003 or later and you have two mothers. Only your non-birth mother was a Finnish citizen.
- You were born in Finland on 1 June 2003 or later. Your Finnish father’s paternity or your Finnish mother’s maternity was established after you had reached 18 years of age.
These requirements must be met at the time you submit the declaration.
- A document confirming that your father or your non-birth mother was a Finnish citizen when you were born.
- The document can be, for example, a copy of a Finnish passport and of a residence permit in the country of residence, or a certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of residence, showing that your father or your non-birth mother had not become a citizen of his or her country of residence.
- This document is not required in the following situations:
- Your father or your non-birth mother has not resided outside Finland or has only resided in the Nordic countries.
- Your father or your non-birth mother has become a Finnish citizen on application and has resided in Finland until you were born.
- Your father or your non-birth mother has become a citizen of another country on 1 June 2003 or later.
- Birth certificate stating your parents and your place of birth. The birth certificate is not required if your details have been entered in the Finnish Population Information System.
- Document proving that your father’s paternity or the maternity of your non-birth mother has been officially confirmed.
- A document proving your current citizenship (a copy of your valid passport or some other identity document that confirms your citizenship). Proof of citizenship is not required if your details have been entered in the Finnish Population Information System.
- Proof of appointment of a legal guardian if the guardian submits the declaration.
- To add minor children in your care to your declaration, fill in the form Attachment form for a child (co-applicant), KAN_LIITELOMAKE for each child.
Complete the declaration form
You will find a link to the declaration form at the foot of this page.
At the moment, it is not possible to submit an adult's citizenship declaration via the online service Enter Finland.
If you are abroad, book an appointment to visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) (finlandabroad.fi).
If you are in Finland, book an appointment to visit a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
For more information, see:
Pay the processing fee when you visit a Finnish mission abroad or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity.
We will contact you if necessary.
You will receive notifications of your application's progress and of any requests for additional information by email.