- Ways to apply
- Citizen by birth (Art. 1) · Retention at 22 (Art. 12)
- Dual citizenship
- Kept, however you apply
Each answer assumes none of your ancestors became a citizen of another country before their child was born. Below is what changes each answer.
On this page›
- 01Who qualifies
- 02Dates that matter
- 03Through your mother
- 04Keeping your citizenship
- 05Ways to apply
- 06The documents
- 07What it takes
- 08Where the records live
- 09Law changes
- 10Other options
- 11Sources
Who qualifies, generation by generation
LIKELY
Can you claim Icelandic citizenship through a parent?
Citizen by birth (Art. 1)
A child of an Icelandic parent is Icelandic from birth. Born abroad, you keep it past 22 by living in Iceland or applying to the Directorate of Immigration to keep it before then.
- A child acquires Icelandic citizenship at birth if a parent is an Icelandic citizen, or was one at death. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 1 ↗
- An Icelandic citizen born abroad who has never had legal domicile in Iceland, nor stayed there in a way showing a wish to remain a citizen, loses Icelandic citizenship at 22; the Directorate of Immigration may allow retention if applied for before then, and no one is left stateless. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 12 ↗
- The retention application is made to the Directorate of Immigration before the applicant turns 22, free of charge, with evidence of ties such as stays, schooling or work in Iceland and statements from referees there. Ísland.is: application to retain Icelandic citizenship (umsókn um að halda ríkisborgararétti) ↗
- Iceland has accepted dual citizenship since Act 9/2003, so keeping Icelandic citizenship does not cost you your other one. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Arts. 12 to 14 as amended by Act 9/2003 ↗
What changes the answer
- POSSIBLE
If someone in your family became a citizen of another country before the next person in your family was bornCitizen by birthIceland has accepted dual citizenship since Act 9/2003. Whether your parent was still Icelandic when you were born turns on the date and terms of their naturalization.
- UNLIKELY
If you were born before 2018Citizen by birth (Art. 1, older rules)Born abroad before 1 July 2018 to an Icelandic father, you were Icelandic at birth only if your parents were married; otherwise citizenship followed only through their later marriage or a notification under the rules then in force. The current Act gives no declaration way to repair it.
- UNLIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born before 1982Citizen by birth (Art. 1, older rules)Born before 1 July 1982 to an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father, you were not Icelandic at birth, and the current Act gives no declaration way to repair it. Unless the family registered you under the rules then in force, the road to Iceland is residence.
- POSSIBLE
If the parent is your mother and you were born between 1982 and 2004A child of an Icelandic parent is Icelandic from birth, but citizenship lapses at 22 for those born abroad who never lived in Iceland, unless retention was granted first, and the Act gives no declaration way to get it back. Whether yours survived is the question.
If someone in your family became a citizen of another country before the next person in your family was born, 3 more cases›
- UNLIKELY
If you were born before 2018Citizen by birth (Art. 1, older rules)Born abroad before 1 July 2018 to an Icelandic father, you were Icelandic at birth only if your parents were married; otherwise citizenship followed only through their later marriage or a notification under the rules then in force. The current Act gives no declaration way to repair it.
- UNLIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born before 1982Citizen by birth (Art. 1, older rules)Born before 1 July 1982 to an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father, you were not Icelandic at birth, and the current Act gives no declaration way to repair it. Unless the family registered you under the rules then in force, the road to Iceland is residence.
- UNLIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born between 1982 and 2002Before 2003 an Icelander who became a citizen elsewhere was generally released from Icelandic citizenship, so it did not pass to a child born afterwards, and the Act offers no declaration option for that child. The road to Iceland is residence and naturalisation.
UNLIKELY
Can you claim Icelandic citizenship through a grandparent?
No grandparent option
Icelandic citizenship passes only from a parent who held it at your birth. A parent born abroad usually lost it at 22, and anyone who naturalized elsewhere before 2003 was generally released, so it rarely reaches grandchildren. The Act has no option for descendants of emigrants; the road to Iceland is residence and naturalisation.
What would settle itWhether your parent is still Icelandic (a current passport, or a retention decision before 22); if so, you are the child of an Icelandic parent and the parent rule applies.
UNLIKELY
Can you claim Icelandic citizenship through a great-grandparent?
No grandparent option
Icelandic citizenship passes only from a parent who held it at your birth. A parent born abroad usually lost it at 22, and anyone who naturalized elsewhere before 2003 was generally released, so it rarely reaches grandchildren. The Act has no option for descendants of emigrants; the road to Iceland is residence and naturalisation.
What would settle itWhether your parent is still Icelandic (a current passport, or a retention decision before 22); if so, you are the child of an Icelandic parent and the parent rule applies.
The dates that matter
- 1982
- 1998
1 October 1998A child born abroad to an unmarried Icelandic father did not acquire citizenship at birth; it followed if the parents married while the child was under 18, or, for births between 1 October 1998 and 17 April 2007, if the father gave notice before the child turned 18. Ísland.is: citizenship for children of Icelandic citizens ↗
- 2018
Claiming through your mother or grandmother
In Iceland’s rule, the answer changes when the ancestor you descend through is a woman:
- UNLIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born before 1982Citizen by birth (Art. 1, older rules)Born before 1 July 1982 to an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father, you were not Icelandic at birth, and the current Act gives no declaration way to repair it. Unless the family registered you under the rules then in force, the road to Iceland is residence.
- POSSIBLE
If the parent is your mother and you were born between 1982 and 2004A child of an Icelandic parent is Icelandic from birth, but citizenship lapses at 22 for those born abroad who never lived in Iceland, unless retention was granted first, and the Act gives no declaration way to get it back. Whether yours survived is the question.
In the law’s words
- Since 1 July 2018 a child acquires Icelandic citizenship at birth if a parent is an Icelandic citizen; the rule is not retroactive. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 1 (Act 61/2018) ↗
- A child of an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father acquired citizenship at birth only from 1 July 1982; earlier births did not, and could only be corrected under the transitional rules or by general application. Ísland.is: citizenship for children of Icelandic citizens ↗
- An Icelandic citizen born abroad who has never had legal domicile in Iceland, nor stayed there in a way showing a wish to remain a citizen, loses Icelandic citizenship at 22; the Directorate of Immigration may allow retention if applied for before then, and no one is left stateless. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 12 ↗
- A child born abroad to an unmarried Icelandic father did not acquire citizenship at birth; it followed if the parents married while the child was under 18, or, for births between 1 October 1998 and 17 April 2007, if the father gave notice before the child turned 18. Ísland.is: citizenship for children of Icelandic citizens ↗
Dual citizenship with your home country
You keep your citizenship.
On every open route, the rule lets a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina or South Africa keep that citizenship.
- Act 9/2003 removed the requirement to give up another citizenship; the Act no longer conditions Icelandic citizenship on holding no other. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Arts. 12 to 14 as amended by Act 9/2003 ↗
- An Icelandic citizen born abroad who has never had legal domicile in Iceland, nor stayed there in a way showing a wish to remain a citizen, loses Icelandic citizenship at 22; the Directorate of Immigration may allow retention if applied for before then, and no one is left stateless. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 12 ↗
- The retention application is made to the Directorate of Immigration before the applicant turns 22, free of charge, with evidence of ties such as stays, schooling or work in Iceland and statements from referees there. Ísland.is: application to retain Icelandic citizenship (umsókn um að halda ríkisborgararétti) ↗
- Iceland has accepted dual citizenship since Act 9/2003, so keeping Icelandic citizenship does not cost you your other one. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Arts. 12 to 14 as amended by Act 9/2003 ↗
Every way to apply, and the law behind it
The law
- A child acquires Icelandic citizenship at birth if a parent is an Icelandic citizen, or was one at death. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 1 ↗
- An Icelandic citizen born abroad who has never had legal domicile in Iceland, nor stayed there in a way showing a wish to remain a citizen, loses Icelandic citizenship at 22; the Directorate of Immigration may allow retention if applied for before then, and no one is left stateless. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 12 ↗
- The retention application is made to the Directorate of Immigration before the applicant turns 22, free of charge, with evidence of ties such as stays, schooling or work in Iceland and statements from referees there. Ísland.is: application to retain Icelandic citizenship (umsókn um að halda ríkisborgararétti) ↗
- Iceland has accepted dual citizenship since Act 9/2003, so keeping Icelandic citizenship does not cost you your other one. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Arts. 12 to 14 as amended by Act 9/2003 ↗
What would settle an unsure case
- Whether you had legal domicile in Iceland, or a retention decision, before you turned 22; if not, the way back is residence-based naturalisation.
The law
What would settle an unsure case
- Your parent’s naturalization date against Act 9/2003 and against your birth, and whether they were formally released.
- Whether your parent was formally released from Icelandic citizenship or kept it; the National Registry (Þjóðskrá) record would show it.
- UNLIKELY
Through a parent, if you were born before 2018Born abroad before 1 July 2018 to an Icelandic father, you were Icelandic at birth only if your parents were married; otherwise citizenship followed only through their later marriage or a notification under the rules then in force. The current Act gives no declaration way to repair it.
- UNLIKELY
Through a parent, if the parent is your mother and you were born before 1982Born before 1 July 1982 to an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father, you were not Icelandic at birth, and the current Act gives no declaration way to repair it. Unless the family registered you under the rules then in force, the road to Iceland is residence.
The law
- Since 1 July 2018 a child acquires Icelandic citizenship at birth if a parent is an Icelandic citizen; the rule is not retroactive. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 1 (Act 61/2018) ↗
- A child born abroad to an unmarried Icelandic father did not acquire citizenship at birth; it followed if the parents married while the child was under 18, or, for births between 1 October 1998 and 17 April 2007, if the father gave notice before the child turned 18. Ísland.is: citizenship for children of Icelandic citizens ↗
- An Icelandic citizen born abroad who has never had legal domicile in Iceland, nor stayed there in a way showing a wish to remain a citizen, loses Icelandic citizenship at 22; the Directorate of Immigration may allow retention if applied for before then, and no one is left stateless. Icelandic Nationality Act No. 100/1952 (lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), consolidated, Art. 12 ↗
- A child of an Icelandic mother married to a foreign father acquired citizenship at birth only from 1 July 1982; earlier births did not, and could only be corrected under the transitional rules or by general application. Ísland.is: citizenship for children of Icelandic citizens ↗
What would settle an unsure case
- Whether your parents married before you turned 18, or your father gave notice in time; if so, the 22-year rule decides whether it survived.
- Whether you were registered as an Icelandic citizen in the National Registry under the 1982 transitional rules; if so, the 22-year rule decides whether it survived.
- UNLIKELY
Through a grandparentIcelandic citizenship passes only from a parent who held it at your birth. A parent born abroad usually lost it at 22, and anyone who naturalized elsewhere before 2003 was generally released, so it rarely reaches grandchildren. The Act has no option for descendants of emigrants; the road to Iceland is residence and naturalisation.
The law
What would settle an unsure case
- Whether your parent is still Icelandic (a current passport, or a retention decision before 22); if so, you are the child of an Icelandic parent and the parent rule applies.
The documents, as the rule lists them
Citizen by birth (Art. 1)
Through a parent
- Your parent’s Icelandic passport or National Registry record
- Your birth certificate
Through a parent, if the parent is your mother and you were born between 1982 and 2004
- Your parent’s Icelandic passport or National Registry record
- Your birth certificate
- Any retention decision or Icelandic passport issued to you
Citizen by birth
Through a parent, if someone in your family became a citizen of another country before the next person in your family was born
- Your parent’s naturalization certificate
- Your birth certificate
Most countries also want proof that your ancestor didn’t become a citizen somewhere else before their child was born: the naturalization record with its date, or a letter saying there isn’t one.
What it takes: time, cost, the hard part, who decides
Citizen by birth (Art. 1)
- Time
- 4–8 weeks for a first Icelandic passport once citizenship is confirmed; longer if the Art. 12 retention question needs the Directorate of Immigration’s decision first.
- Cost
- About $200–400: certified copies, apostilles and the passport fee.
- The hard part
- If you were born abroad and are past 22, showing legal domicile in Iceland, or a retention application filed before then; the Act gives no way back once it lapses.
- Who decides
- The Icelandic consulate for your address, or the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) for an Art. 12 retention decision.
- The first record
- Your parent’s entry in the Icelandic national register (Þjóðskrá), from Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands). Request a certificate from Registers Iceland with the name and kennitala if known; for entries before Þjóðskrá’s 1953 founding, the National Archives (Þjóðskjalasafn Íslands) holds the older parish registers. skra.is ↗
How it’s filed
- Where
- The Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun), on paper only, by post or at its front desk office list ↗
- How
- By post; no appearance needed
- Fee
- No fee
- Decision
- 1–8 months
What goes in the file (4)›
- Your parent’s Icelandic national-register record or passport history
- Your own birth certificate
- Your parents’ marriage certificate, if any
- Evidence of ties to Iceland, if you are past 22 and were born abroad
What goes wrong (3)›
- An Art. 12 retention application filed before 22 is free; once citizenship has lapsed, the Act gives no declaration route back and the family faces ordinary naturalisation instead.
- Send the signed original form, a copy of your passport with a signature sample, a copy of your Icelandic parent’s passport, and certified copies of the birth and marriage records.
- Seven years’ legal residence in Denmark, Norway, Finland or Sweden counts as residence in Iceland; then no application is needed, only confirmation with Registers Iceland.
source ↗
Citizen by birth
- Time
- 3–6 months once the naturalization dates are documented; this is the rule applying to a parent who naturalized on or after Act 9/2003.
- Cost
- About $200–500 in certified copies and translations.
- The hard part
- Fixing the exact date and terms of your parent’s naturalization abroad against Act 9/2003 and against your birth, and whether they were formally released from Icelandic citizenship.
- Who decides
- The Icelandic consulate for your address.
- The first record
- Your parent’s entry in the Icelandic national register (Þjóðskrá), from Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands). Request a certificate from Registers Iceland with the name and kennitala if known; for entries before Þjóðskrá’s 1953 founding, the National Archives (Þjóðskjalasafn Íslands) holds the older parish registers. skra.is ↗
How it’s filed
- Where
- Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá), by post with the original U.S. documents; it refers any doubt about the parent’s citizenship to the Directorate of Immigration office list ↗
- How
- By post; no appearance needed
- Fee
- No fee
- Decision
- 3–12 months
What goes in the file (3)›
- Your parent’s Icelandic national-register record
- Your parent’s naturalization certificate abroad, with its date and terms
- Your own birth certificate
What goes wrong (3)›
- This is the post-2003 case: whether your parent was formally released from Icelandic citizenship on naturalising abroad, or kept it under Act 9/2003, is the question the Directorate decides.
- Registration carries no fee. A certificate of Icelandic citizenship (ríkisfangsvottorð) afterwards costs ISK 3,200 (about $27).
- For a U.S. birth, Registers Iceland may ask for more than the birth certificate, such as hospital or prenatal records. A child of an unmarried Icelandic father born before 1 July 2018 registers through the Directorate instead.
source ↗
Fees are each office’s published fee, converted to U.S. dollars.
Where each record lives, and how to ask for it
birth
Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands); the National Archives (Þjóðskjalasafn Íslands) for entries before Þjóðskrá’s 1953 founding
Request a certificate from Registers Iceland with the name and kennitala if known; older parish registers are held by the National Archives.
- Takes
- 1–4 weeks
Good to know (1)›
- Registers Iceland answers written and online requests for a Þjóðskrá extract within a few weeks.
source ↗
Translations
- Into
- Icelandic
- Who may translate
- Any certified translator
- About
- $20–$40 a page
Records in English or a Nordic language need no translation. Others need a translation by a certified translator (löggiltur skjalaþýðandi). A U.S. birth certificate needs an apostille, then a certified copy of the apostilled original.
source ↗
The passport
- Where
- Only the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C., by appointment; honorary consuls issue emergency passports only.
- Fee
- About $158
- Time
- 1–4 weeks
- ISK 19,000 for ages 18 to 66, ISK 7,000 for children and seniors, the same as in Iceland; the embassy charges the dollar equivalent at the ministry’s monthly rate.
- Photo and fingerprints are taken at the embassy. Registers Iceland makes the passport within 4 business days; mailing time to the U.S. is added.
source ↗
Recent and pending changes
We know of no pending bill or recent court ruling for Iceland.
We re-read the official pages behind this guide every day. When one changes, a person checks the rule before we update anything here.
If descent doesn’t reach you
2 residence programs lead to Iceland without an ancestor, each with its own law and road to citizenship.