{"id":141,"date":"2026-11-01T23:57:32","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T23:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/?page_id=141"},"modified":"2026-11-02T23:17:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T23:17:48","slug":"citizenship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/citizenship\/","title":{"rendered":"Citizenship"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"141\" class=\"elementor elementor-141\">\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f366e0 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-page-hero\" data-id=\"2f366e0\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"2f366e0\">\n    <div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52ef264d e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div sc-page-hero-inner\" data-id=\"52ef264d\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"52ef264d\">\n    <nav class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3caf4b53 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-nav sc-crumbs\" data-id=\"3caf4b53\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"3caf4b53\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-crumb-link e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"3e21fa5b\"><a href=\"\/sm\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base e-default-a\">\n\t\tHome\n\t<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-5437aff4-1640 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"2c221da1\">\u203a<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-551db8d3-eb82 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"579f63ed\">Citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/nav>\n\t\t\t<h1 data-interaction-id=\"5fc0f298\" class=\"sc-page-h1 e-heading-base e-default-h1\">Citizenship<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sc-lead e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"31884595\">Under the Citizenship Act 2004, you can become a Samoan citizen in four ways: by birth, by descent, by permanent residence, or by marriage.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15e2089a e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div sc-layout\" data-id=\"15e2089a\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"15e2089a\">\n    <main class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ec7c802 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-main sc-main\" data-id=\"7ec7c802\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"7ec7c802\">\n    <section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dc70e6e e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-block\" data-id=\"5dc70e6e\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"5dc70e6e\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"46fc7978\" class=\"sc-h2-sm e-heading-base e-default-h2\">Ways to become a citizen<\/h2>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a72fd42 e-con e-atomic-element e-grid-base e-default-div e-1ec26d05-3416\" data-id=\"4a72fd42\" data-element_type=\"e-grid\" data-e-type=\"e-grid\" data-interaction-id=\"4a72fd42\">\n    <div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-539fdb06 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-5ef05446-48f6\" data-id=\"539fdb06\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"539fdb06\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"328d9c01\">By birth<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-body e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"22312ed\">Anyone born in Samoa is a citizen if at least one parent was a Samoan citizen at the time of their birth.<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae0bf4a e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-558b6a21-bf0d\" data-id=\"3ae0bf4a\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"3ae0bf4a\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"3ce77ee1\">By descent<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-body e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"31bd74ad\">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).<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fc73e4a e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-2d3d91f4-50a8\" data-id=\"3fc73e4a\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"3fc73e4a\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"4bce7ef8\">By permanent residence<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-body e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5d715e43\">A non-citizen who has held a valid Samoan permanent residence permit for 5 years can apply to be registered as a citizen.<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ec8c60f e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-68f1dd06-f788\" data-id=\"6ec8c60f\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"6ec8c60f\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5d22195c\">By marriage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-body e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"1c818898\">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.<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a67ca83 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-block\" data-id=\"4a67ca83\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"4a67ca83\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"6d10812a\" class=\"sc-h2-sm e-heading-base e-default-h2\">How to apply<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"7f164d2d\">Complete the right application form and lodge it, with the fee, at a Samoan Government mission overseas or with the Immigration Division in Apia.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16e8a2e e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-block\" data-id=\"16e8a2e\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"16e8a2e\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"73eb3c40\" class=\"sc-h2-sm e-heading-base e-default-h2\">What to include<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"7cf6c2f\" class=\"sc-h3 e-heading-base e-default-h3\">Citizenship by descent<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"32222d00\"><ul><li>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<\/li><li>Your full birth certificate, showing your details<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"7e06f274\" class=\"sc-h3 e-heading-base e-default-h3\">Citizenship by permanent residence<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"63573faf\"><ul><li>Evidence of employment in Samoa over the past 5 years<\/li><li>Evidence of business and social activity in Samoa over the past 5 years<\/li><li>Evidence of your health and character<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"4a944517\" class=\"sc-h3 e-heading-base e-default-h3\">Citizenship by marriage<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"40145b56\"><ul><li>Evidence of living together with your spouse over the past 5 years<\/li><li>Evidence that the marriage is continuing<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"55eefe83\" class=\"sc-h3 e-heading-base e-default-h3\">You may also need<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"3dc40d0e\"><ul><li>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.<\/li><li>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.<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3adc0e0e e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-block\" data-id=\"3adc0e0e\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"3adc0e0e\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"49319f90\" class=\"sc-h2-sm e-heading-base e-default-h2\">Citizenship fees<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"4ecfcc96\">Pay the fee when you lodge your application. All fees are in Samoan T\u0101l\u0101 and are non-refundable.<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37604ce7 e-con e-atomic-element e-grid-base e-default-div sc-table e-5659aad2-71a6\" data-id=\"37604ce7\" data-element_type=\"e-grid\" data-e-type=\"e-grid\" data-interaction-id=\"37604ce7\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-th e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5ea0c969\">Application<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-th e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"4cc96336\">Fee<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5afbc9db\">Citizenship by birth<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"172892d7\">SAT$60<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"6181e5cb\">Citizenship by descent<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"37ee4e66\">SAT$150<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"50c17c14\">Citizenship by marriage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"dbb363e\">SAT$5,400<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"55534064\">Citizenship certification<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"113fd009\">SAT$150<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5a04f41d\">Citizenship reprint<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"2e5cc139\">SAT$75<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"151c8f5f\">Certified copy of citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"7d81c02f\">SAT$150<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"9b736cc\">Renouncing citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"7b883b72\">SAT$3,200<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"208e7ae7\">Review of a decision to refuse citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-td sc-td-strong e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"45015147\">SAT$1,500<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-394079c7 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-section sc-block\" data-id=\"394079c7\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"394079c7\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"787c58d\" class=\"sc-h2-sm e-heading-base e-default-h2\">Where to apply<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sc-prose e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"49635292\">In Samoa, apply at the Immigration Office, FMFMII Government Building, Eleele Fou, Apia (<a href=\"tel:+68520291\">+685 20291<\/a>, <a href=\"mailto:immigration@mpmc.gov.ws\">immigration@mpmc.gov.ws<\/a>). Overseas, apply at a Samoan mission in Wellington, Auckland, Canberra, New York or Brussels.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-more e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"7b4feb5f\"><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base e-default-a\">\n\t\tMission addresses and phone numbers \u2192\n\t<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/section>\n\n<\/main>\n<aside class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16e866f0 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-aside sc-aside\" data-id=\"16e866f0\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"16e866f0\">\n    <div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc1a539 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div sc-aside-card\" data-id=\"cc1a539\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"cc1a539\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-aside-h e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"744b6967\">Forms<\/span>\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38f39211 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-a sc-dl e-1715b649-cc8f\" data-id=\"38f39211\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"38f39211\" href=\"https:\/\/mpmc.gov.ws\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CitizenDescent.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-pdf e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"6a7d6677\">PDF<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e468e69 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-20dd722-279a\" data-id=\"1e468e69\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"1e468e69\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-166ff99-9946 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"1222b87\">Citizenship by descent<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-text e-5c84dadf-fba7 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"6111c1cf\">Application form<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4182d77e e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-a sc-dl e-6916c489-18d3\" data-id=\"4182d77e\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"4182d77e\" href=\"https:\/\/mpmc.gov.ws\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CitizenshipPR-and-marriage-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-pdf e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"47830019\">PDF<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb65c9a e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-3dc05a37-b46a\" data-id=\"eb65c9a\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"eb65c9a\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-218ce3bd-6312 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"75972385\">By permanent residence or marriage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-text e-aa0cae0-b999 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5ba6a18c\">Application form<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d20fd77 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-a sc-dl e-773776d5-83d0\" data-id=\"1d20fd77\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"1d20fd77\" href=\"https:\/\/mpmc.gov.ws\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/citizenRenunciation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-pdf e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"768cc5fb\">PDF<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50369f54 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div e-5f3bfcad-fc2e\" data-id=\"50369f54\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"50369f54\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-title e-4f847b1d-9f49 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"1174e812\">Renouncing citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-card-text e-a146841-6454 e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"36e88f12\">Application form<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-note e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"15467767\">For a citizenship certificate, or a review of a refused application, ask the Immigration Office for the form.<\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10846593 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-default-div sc-aside-dark e-4ddbf7bd-fd91\" data-id=\"10846593\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"10846593\">\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"sf-name e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5d7734f\">Need help?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-on-dark e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"2285dc04\">Call or email the Immigration Office in Apia.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-on-dark-link e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5e9474b8\"><a href=\"tel:+68520291\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base e-default-a\">\n\t\t+685 20291\n\t<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-on-dark-link e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5c53bdb\"><a href=\"mailto:immigration@mpmc.gov.ws\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base e-default-a\">\n\t\timmigration@mpmc.gov.ws\n\t<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sc-on-dark-link e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"5541aaa8\"><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base e-default-a\">\n\t\tAll offices and missions \u2192\n\t<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/aside>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Become a Samoan citizen by birth, descent, permanent residence or marriage. Requirements, fees, forms and where to apply.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-141","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":263,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141\/revisions\/263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.gov.ws\/sm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}