Restoration of Icelandic citizenship
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Icelandic citizenship lost before July 1, 2003
Iceland allowed dual citizenship on July 1, 2003. Before that date, an Icelandic citizen would lose their Icelandic citizenship upon being granted foreign citizenship.
An individual who acquired foreign citizenship before July 1, 2003, and thereby lost their Icelandic citizenship, can regain Icelandic citizenship by request to the Directorate of Immigration.
If an individual is granted Icelandic citizenship again, their unmarried children under 18 years of age also acquire Icelandic citizenship, if the individual has custody of them.
Conditions
To regain Icelandic citizenship by request, you must meet the following conditions:
You lost your Icelandic citizenhip upon being granted foreign citizenship before July 1, 2003.
You have lived or stayed in Iceland or have connections with the country that are considered sufficient to maintain Icelandic citizenship.
Fee
The processing fee is 13.500 ISK.
The notification will not be processed until payment has been received. Read on how to pay the processing fee via bank transfer.
How to apply
Requests can only be submitted in paper form.
They can either be sent by regular mail to the Directorate of Immigration or delivered to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception.
Directorate of Immigration (map)
Dalvegur 18
201 Kópavogur
Iceland
Supporting documents
Read more on document requirements. Original Icelandic documents do not need to be authenticated.
Request form: In original format, properly filled out and signed.
Payment receipt.
Foreign passport: Copy of pages with personal information, handwriting sample, and all stamps.
Icelandic passport: If available. Copy of pages with personal information, handwriting sample, and all stamps.
Birth certificate: Certified copy of the original. The original must be legally authenticated by apostille certification or chain authentication, before a certified copy is made.
Translation of birth certificate: If the certificate is not in English or a Nordic language, you must submit a certified copy or original translation made by a certified translator.
Certificate of legal registration history: The certificate specifies the countries where you have had legal residence from the start of your registration in Iceland until the present day.
Document on the granting of current foreign citizenship.
Information about connections to Iceland: If the applicant is born abroad and has never lived in Iceland.
Additional documents that may be needed
If you got married abroad, you need to submit:
Marriage certificate: Certified copy of the original. The original must be legally authenticated by apostille certification or chain authentication, before a certified copy is made.
Translation of marriage certificate: If the certificate is not in English or a Nordic language, you must submit a certified copy or original translation made by a certified translator.
Divorce documents, if applicable.
If you have children under the age of 18
Your children can become Icelandic citizens at the same time as you, if:
They are under the age of 18.
They are unmarried.
You have custody of them.
Supporting documents for children
Passport: Copy of the pages with personal information, handwriting sample, and all stamps.
Birth certificate: Certified copy of the original. The original must be legally authenticated by apostille certification or chain authentication, before a certified copy is made.
Translation of birth certificate: If the certificate is not in English or a Nordic language, you must submit a certified copy or original translation made by a certified translator.
Custody documents.
If you have sole custody of the child, you must submit documentation as proof. Original documents must be certified with an apostille or double authentication before a certified copy ist made.
If documents are in a language other than Icelandic, English or a Nordic language, a certified translation must also be submitted.If both parents share custody, you must submit a signed consent of the other custodial parent and a copy of the parent's passport.
Consent of the child: If the child is between 12 and 18 years old.
Law
Icelandic citizenship is restored to those who lost their Icelandic citizenship before Iceland allowed dual citizenship according to Article 18 of the Icelandic Nationality Act Number 100/1952.
Service provider
Directorate of Immigration