Unlike in other countries, there is no citizenship law citizenship law in Cuba. The grounds governing citizenship status can be found in Decree 358 dated 4 February 1944, the Citizenship Regulation. Currently only some of its articles are in operation. There are two ways to obtain obtain Cuban citizenship, one is by birth and the other by naturalisation. Each of these has its specific characteristics and procedures.
Below you will find a list of requirements and conditions for obtaining, regaining and renouncing Cuban citizenship.
Cuban citizenship by birth
This case applies to the following people:
- Those born in the national territory (except children of foreigners in the service of their government and international organisations, e.g. children of ambassadors).
- Persons born abroad of a Cuban father or mother while on official mission
- Born abroad of a Cuban father or mother, subject to the fulfilment of the formalities stipulated by law.
Parents born in the Republic of Cuba who have lost their Cuban citizenship may claim citizenship for their children born outside the national territory, provided that the request is made through the legal means established by law.
However, as an exception to Cuban citizenship by birth, citizenship is granted to foreigners for exceptional achievements related to the struggle for the liberation of Cuba.
Cuban citizenship by naturalisation
The following are eligible for this form of citizenship:
- Foreigners who had served in the military action against the tyranny overthrown on 1 January 1959.
- Those foreigners who, having been arbitrarily deprived of their original citizenship, obtain Cuban citizenship by express agreement of the Council of State.
This option is also available for those who renounce their citizenship of origin:
- Foreigners living in Cuba continuously for more than 5 years and not less than 1 year after declaring their intention to acquire Cuban citizenship and who are fluent in Spanish.
- Foreigners married to Cubans, when they have children from that union or have been continuously resident in Cuba for 2 years after the celebration of the marriage.
Can I renounce Cuban citizenship?
No. The only way to renounce citizenship is through an administrative decision of the competent authority. This is achieved by means of a ministerial decision, issued on a discretionary basis.
Deprivation and recovery of Cuban citizenship
A Cuban citizen can be deprived of his or her citizenship by a unilateral decision of the government to sanction him or her, or for any of the reasons also contemplated in the law.
Why can Cuban citizenship be lost?
- A Cuban citizen serving another nation in military functions or in the performance of duties that carry authority or jurisdiction of his own (by decree of the Council of State).
- Cubans by naturalization who reside in the country of their birth, unless they express every three years, before the appropriate consular authority, their will to preserve their Cuban citizenship.
Another way to lose citizenship is by incurring in crimes and causes of unworthiness, by means of a final sentence of the courts.
Important facts about Cuban citizenship
- Neither the marriage nor its termination will affect the citizenship of the spouses or their children.
- Cubans may not be deprived of their citizenship, except for legally established causes. Nor may they be deprived of the right to change it.
- Cuban citizenship may be regained in the cases and in the manner prescribed by law.
- Cases related to the loss, recovery or direct acquisition of Cuban citizenship must be recorded in a notarial act and registered in the Civil Status Registry.
How to apply for Cuban Citizenship 100% online?
Non-Cuban-born persons may apply to citizenship as long as one of their parents is Cuban. To apply for this application you must provide us with:
- Completed and signed application form
- Original birth certificate issued by the Special Registry of the Ministry of Justice.
- Updated Passport Photo
- Photocopy of the foreign passport, provided it is valid and in force. If there is any extension, please provide us with a photo of the page containing this extension.
- Photocopy of parents’ passports, provided these are valid and in force. The Cuban parent must submit a photocopy of his or her Cuban passport.
- Birth certificate of Cuban mother or father and photocopy of the birth certificate of the non-Cuban.
For minors under 18 years of age, in case one of the parents is not present, a deed of authorization from the latter, authenticated by the Federal Department of State, must be submitted.
Opapeleo can assist you in every single step of the process.
Opapeleo provides this service using a 100% online system.
- With us, you will be able to perform your procedure by following all the steps described in the section Opapeleo Procedures
- If you prefer the telephone Opapeleo is the only agency operating seven days a week from 8am to 8pm; please call 202-800-4141 to complete the procedure.
Opapeleo is located 150 meters away from the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC and is willing to assist you, simplifying your process.
How do I apply online at Opapeleo?
- Please select the Cuban Citizenship Application option on our website.
- After completing the requested information and checking whether it is correct, you will need to proceed with the payment.
- The procedure will take from 90 to 120 working days once all the documentation has been received in our offices.
- Costs depend according to the complexity of the procedure.
- Opapeleo will notify you via SMS and email of each step of the process.
About Us
Opapeleo is your agency for procedures 100% online or telephone. We are in Washington DC 150 meters away from the Cuban Consulate. We provide services for the Extension and Renewal of Cuban passport, Legalisations, Powers of attorney on all kinds, Authorisations for minors to leave the country, DVT, Visas to Cuba, Top-ups, applications for Cuban certificates, delivery of official documents and all kinds of procedures related to Cuba.
