Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Matagaluega a le Palemia ma le Kapeneta

Citizenship Services

Under the Citizenship Act 2004, Samoan citizenship can be acquired in four ways: by birth, by descent, by permanent residence, and by marriage.
  1. By Birth: any person born in Samoa shall be a citizen of Samoa provided that at the time of the person’s birth at least one parent is a Samoan citizen
  2. By Descent: Any person born outside of Samoa shall be a citizen of Samoa by descent provided that at the time of the person’s birth at least one parent is:
    a Samoan citizen otherwise than by descent; or
    if one of the parents is a citizen by descent that parent has resided in Samoa for a period of 3 years or more at the time of the birth of the applicant (the residence does not have to be continuous)
  3. By Permanent Residence: An alien who has held a valid Samoan permanent residence permit for 5 years may apply to be registered as a Samoan citizen.
  4. By Marriage:
    Any person being an alien may apply to be registered as a citizen of Samoa by marriage to a Samoan citizen.
    Provided that the person has been married to and residing with the person’s husband or wife in Samoa or elsewhere for a period of 5 years.

How can you apply for Samoan citizenship?

To be recognized as a Samoan Citizen, the relevant application form must be completed and lodged with the relevant fees at a Samoan Government Mission overseas or with the Immigration Division in Apia.

Requirements for Samoan Citizenship application:

Citizenship by Descent
Evidence that at least one parent was a citizen of Samoa at the time of the birth of the applicant e.g a full birth certificate of the parent, or a Samoan Passport
Full Birth Certificate of the applicant to be registered showing details of the applicant to be recognized as a a citizen of Samoa by Descent

Citizenship by Permanent Residence
Evidence of employment in Samoa over the past 5 years
Evidence of business and social activity in Samoa over past 5 years
Evidence of health and character status

Citizenship by Marriage
Evidence of time living together with spouse over past 5 years
Evidence of the continuing nature of the marriage

Additional requirements in some cases:
If there have been any changes to the name of the applicant or parent – evidence of those changes – marriage certificates, deed poll certificates, matai title certificates etc
If the parent of the person to be recognized is a citizen by descent, evidence that the parent has lived in Samoa for a total of at least 3 years – passport pages showing arrival and departure dates, school records in Samoa, employment records in Samoa etc

Applications for Samoan citizenship can be lodged at the following office addresses: