Coat of arms of Samoa
Samoa Immigration Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Citizenship

Under the Citizenship Act 2004, you can become a Samoan citizen in four ways: by birth, by descent, by permanent residence, or by marriage.

Ways to become a citizen

By birth Anyone born in Samoa is a citizen if at least one parent was a Samoan citizen at the time of their birth.
By descent Anyone born outside Samoa is a citizen by descent if, at the time of their birth, at least one parent was a Samoan citizen other than by descent. If that parent is a citizen by descent, they must have lived in Samoa for 3 years or more by the time of the birth (not necessarily all at once).
By permanent residence A non-citizen who has held a valid Samoan permanent residence permit for 5 years can apply to be registered as a citizen.
By marriage A non-citizen married to a Samoan citizen can apply to be registered as a citizen once they've been married and living with their spouse, in Samoa or elsewhere, for 5 years.

How to apply

Complete the right application form and lodge it, with the fee, at a Samoan Government mission overseas or with the Immigration Division in Apia.

What to include

Citizenship by descent

  • Evidence that at least one parent was a Samoan citizen when you were born, such as your parent's full birth certificate or Samoan passport
  • Your full birth certificate, showing your details

Citizenship by permanent residence

  • Evidence of employment in Samoa over the past 5 years
  • Evidence of business and social activity in Samoa over the past 5 years
  • Evidence of your health and character

Citizenship by marriage

  • Evidence of living together with your spouse over the past 5 years
  • Evidence that the marriage is continuing

You may also need

  • If your name or your parent's name has changed: evidence of the change, such as marriage certificates, deed poll certificates or matai title certificates.
  • If your parent is a citizen by descent: evidence they've lived in Samoa for at least 3 years in total, such as passport pages showing arrival and departure dates, or school or employment records in Samoa.

Citizenship fees

Pay the fee when you lodge your application. All fees are in Samoan Tālā and are non-refundable.

Application Fee Citizenship by birth SAT$60 Citizenship by descent SAT$150 Citizenship by marriage SAT$5,400 Citizenship certification SAT$150 Citizenship reprint SAT$75 Certified copy of citizenship SAT$150 Renouncing citizenship SAT$3,200 Review of a decision to refuse citizenship SAT$1,500

Where to apply

In Samoa, apply at the Immigration Office, FMFMII Government Building, Eleele Fou, Apia (+685 20291, [email protected]). Overseas, apply at a Samoan mission in Wellington, Auckland, Canberra, New York or Brussels.

Mission addresses and phone numbers →