Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Beninese passport
Citizens can get an ordinary biometric passport.
Live in Benin for life
Citizenship lets you live in Benin without a foreign resident card and has no ordinary expiry date or renewal.
Citizens have the right to enter and leave Benin and cannot be forced into exile.
Live and work in 12 countries
Work in public service
Citizens can work in public service if they meet the requirements for the job.
Vote and run for office
Citizens can vote from age 18 if they retain their civil and political rights.
Citizens can run for office, but particular offices have their own requirements.
Citizens also have equal protection under the law and freedoms of movement, association, assembly, expression and religion.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Write your application
Write an application for Beninese nationality by marriage addressed to the Minister of Justice. You and your Beninese spouse must both sign it.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I write and sign an application for Benin acquisition de la nationalité béninoise par alliance?”
Pay the study fee
Pay the 45,000 FCFA application study fee as directed and keep the receipt for your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the application study fee for Benin acquisition de la nationalité béninoise par alliance?”
Gather your documents
Prepare digital copies of the documents required for the online application.
See required documentsSubmit your application
Submit your application and required documents through the online service, whether you live in Benin or abroad. You can also hand in an application at the nationality service of the Ministry of Justice.
Apply for nationalitySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for Benin acquisition de la nationalité béninoise par alliance?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the administration's decision and follow its instructions if it asks for more information or documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit an application for Benin acquisition de la nationalité béninoise par alliance?”
Receive your certificate
Follow the administration's instructions to receive or collect your nationality attestation or certificate, and pay the 3,200 FCFA stamp and registry costs when you receive it. You can then use it to apply for a Beninese passport.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my certificate after Benin acquisition de la nationalité béninoise par alliance?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get copies of your birth record and your Beninese spouse’s birth record, both showing your marriage. For an in-person application, also provide your spouse’s birth-record stub and part 1 of the birth record.
Marriage certificate
Provide a copy of your marriage record, which must be at least five years old, and its stub or secure version. If you married outside Benin, also provide a copy of the registration of your marriage in Beninese civil records; the five-year period runs from that registration.
Spouse’s citizenship certificate
Provide a copy of your Beninese spouse’s certificate of nationality. Your spouse must still be a Beninese citizen.
Spouse’s residence certificate
Provide your Beninese spouse’s certificate of residence. Get it from the office that issues residence certificates.
Copy of spouse’s ID
For an online application, provide a copy of your Beninese spouse’s personal identification certificate (CIP) or passport. For an in-person application, provide a copy of your spouse’s passport or identity card.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service
Beninese men and women aged 18–35 can be called for military service under the service arrangements.
Citizenship can be lost
A citizen who wants to acquire another nationality can give up Beninese citizenship by declaration.
Benin can also take citizenship away for conduct considered unworthy or harmful to its interests.
It cannot do so if that would leave the person without any citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Bénin expats
Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life (English & French)
Join on FacebookExpat au Bénin
French Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life
Join on FacebookBénin expat
French Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated