Obtaining Georgian citizenship by marriage is not a straightforward process, it is only possible if you meet certain residency requirements. This includes living in Georgia legally and continuously for a specified number of years.
Additionally, your marriage to a Georgian citizen must have taken place before you apply for Georgian citizenship. While being in a relationship with a Georgian citizen and planning to marry him/her can be an advantage, it’s not a guaranteed path to citizenship.
Our lawyers can explain how to obtain citizenship in Georgia after marriage. We can detail the requirements and procedures in this matter. Additionally, we provide assistance in helping with documentation, providing legal representation, and ensuring compliance with immigration laws and marriage requirements.
Please note that entering the country is subject to conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Georgia and foreign nationals should be well aware of the applicable laws. Our team can provide details on entering the country when the marriage was performed in another jurisdiction.
Please read below about the general conditions for the pathway to obtain Georgian citizenship by marriage and reach out to our immigration specialists for detailed information on how to apply.
Our team is ready to answer questions regarding immigration and citizenship irrespective of your country of origin. We work closely with our clients and assist them during all of the application phases.
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Conditions for acquiring Georgian citizenship by marriage
Foreign nationals who have already been living in the country with a valid residence permit in Georgia can be subject to a simplified citizenship procedure if, during their time in the country, they have entered into a relationship with a Georgian national and have become legally married.
The following are the basic requirements for the simplified procedure of acquiring eligibility for Georgian citizenship by marriage:
- Marriage: the applicant is married to a Georgian citizen and the marriage is valid according to law (i.e., the parties observe the minimum age for marriage);
- Lawful residence: the applicant needs to have been legally and uninterruptedly resided in the country for 5 years before making the submission;
- Language knowledge: the applicant needs to be able to show that he or she has satisfactory knowledge of the Georgian language;
- Other conditions: in addition to language knowledge, basic knowledge of the Georgian law and history is required.
Please note that the procedure described above applies in the case of marriage to a Georgian national and it is considered the simplified procedure. Obtaining citizenship is also possible via the ordinary process for which a primary condition is to have lawfully resided in the country for 10 consecutive years before submitting the application. Our team can help with more information.
The dissolution of the marriage does not result in a change of citizenship for the foreign spouse. The change of citizenship of one spouse does not result in the change of citizenship of the other. Moreover, the dissolution of the marriage does not result in the change of citizenship of the children.
A Georgian citizen has the right to be treated equally before the law irrespective of any characteristics and is granted freedoms and rights under the law of Georgia and International law.
Citizenship is not granted under the simplified procedure for those individuals who have a repatriate status. In some cases, citizenship can be granted by way of exception, when that individual has made an exceptional contribution to Georgia.
Marriage in Georgia
For foreign nationals interested in establishing eligibility for Georgian citizenship by marriage, it’s important to note that direct citizenship is not granted. Instead, the following general rules apply in relation to the recognition of the union:
- Application: this is a joint written application drawn up by the individuals who intend to get married;
- Documents: both parties need to provide valid identification documents to the authorities;
- Consent: only for marriages of persons aged 16 to 18, the birth certificate of the minor and a written consent from the parents;
- Others: for individuals who have been previously married, proof of the dissolution of the marriage.
Our team can give you more details about the laws in force and about the applications with the Public Service Development Agency.
Some of the fees that can be expected for marriage are the following:
- 50 GEL for marriage registration at the Public Service Development Agency with a festive ceremony;
- 150 GEL for marriage registration on weekends, at the wedding house, with a special festive ceremony;
- 170 GEL for marriage registration outside the building of the Agency.
Please note that the fees presented above can be subject to change. Our team can provide more details on obtaining citizenship through marriage or other topics of interest such as applying for a residence permit in Georgia.
Refusal of Georgian citizenship
Georgian citizenship by marriage is not directly granted upon marrying a Georgian citizen. The spouse must follow the simplified citizenship procedure. However, his/her citizenship could be refused, even in the case of marriage to a Georgian citizen. Here are some cases when this can happen:
- Georgian citizenship may be withheld if the applicant has a history of serious international crimes against peace and humanity, or if he/she has been involved in grave crimes against individuals, the state, or public security under Georgian law;
- Georgian citizenship will not be granted if it is determined that doing so would be contrary to the state and public security interests of Georgia. This means that even in the context of marriage to a Georgian citizen, citizenship may be denied if the applicant’s background or actions raise concerns about national security or public order.
These strict rules are applied to deny citizenship and to protect Georgia’s safety and security. Our Georgian immigration lawyers can help you obtain citizenship and explain more about the procedure. We’ll guide you through the application process and offer clear explanations, simplifying the path to citizenship for you.
Dual citizenship in Georgia
One must know that if he/she marries a Georgian citizen, he/she must obtain approval from the government. We remind you that obtaining citizenship by marriage in Georgia is not a direct process and is not granted upon union.
The government is likely to grant consent if the foreign spouse maintains a meaningful connection to Georgia.
If a minor child of a Georgian citizen and a foreigner has both Georgian and foreign citizenship by birth due to their parents’ marriage, he/she will automatically keep the Georgian citizenship until 18. If his/her parents wish to continue holding Georgian citizenship beyond this age, they must apply for it. If one parent applies for the child’s citizenship retention, the consent of the other parent may be necessary.
Our team can help with dual citizenship and other requirements for residency in Georgia and other immigration issues.
We understand that navigating these processes can be complex, and that’s why we offer comprehensive support and guidance. Our personalized assistance will help you make informed decisions and overcome any challenges that may arise during your process of immigration to Georgia.
Statistics about Georgian immigration
Although Georgian citizenship by marriage is not automatically granted upon union, Georgian citizenship remains a possibility for spouses. With our team’s expertise in Georgian immigration, navigating the process becomes more accessible.
The welcoming environment, growing economy, and rich cultural heritage make Georgia an appealing destination. Moreover, recent statistics show a positive net migration rate, so Georgian residency appears not only possible, but also a promising opportunity:
- 179,778 immigrants were registered in Georgia in 2022;
- 151,487 immigrants were aged 15-64;
- 104,401 immigrants were males;
- 75,377 immigrants were females.
If you would like to know more about the other route to Georgian citizenship, apart from the one available to those who marry a Georgian citizen, our team can answer your questions. We assist all those who are ready to apply for citizenship via the ordinary procedure, as well as those who are subject to special situations such as citizenship by descent or the restoration of citizenship.
Our team can also answer questions for applicants who are interested in a different residence permit in Georgia. For those who are not married to a Georgian national, remaining in the country is possible for work purposes, for study, or for investment. Each of these residency options has its own conditions and understanding these before the application is important.
If you wish to know more about other means of acquiring residence, such as the route for Georgia residency by investment, you can reach out to our agents.
Contact us for complete assistance for immigration purposes.
