Marshall Islands
Last Updated: 2026-04-02
Official Portal: Republic of the Marshall Islands Government
Embassy Finder: RMI Embassy, Washington D.C.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 5 years lawful residence |
| Language requirement | Basic knowledge of Marshallese or English |
| Civics test | No formal civics examination |
| Processing time | 6—18 months |
| Naturalization fee | USD 250 |
| Dual citizenship | Conditional — permitted only for citizens by birth; naturalized citizens must renounce prior nationality |
| Citizenship by birth in RMI | Yes, if at least one parent is a Marshallese citizen |
| Citizenship by descent | Available to persons born abroad to at least one Marshallese parent |
| Governing law | Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (1979), Article XI; Marshall Islands Citizenship Act |
Dual Citizenship
The Marshall Islands takes a conditional approach to dual citizenship. Citizens by birth may hold multiple nationalities, but naturalized citizens are generally required to renounce their prior nationality.
Key provisions:
- Citizens by birth who acquire a foreign citizenship do not automatically lose Marshallese citizenship. This is particularly relevant given the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States, which allows Marshallese citizens to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
- Naturalized citizens must renounce all prior nationalities as a condition of naturalization.
- The Constitution does not contain a blanket prohibition on dual citizenship but restricts it in practice through the naturalization requirements.
Compact of Free Association (COFA): The Marshall Islands has a unique relationship with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, first signed in 1986 and renewed in 2023. Under the COFA, Marshallese citizens may freely enter, reside, and work in the United States without a visa. They are not U.S. citizens or nationals, but they enjoy a privileged immigration status that is functionally close to permanent residency. As of 2024, the renewed COFA extends these provisions indefinitely, with continued U.S. economic assistance. Approximately one-third of all Marshallese now live in the United States, primarily in Arkansas, Hawaii, and Oregon.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth
A child born in the Marshall Islands acquires citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of the Marshall Islands.
Key notes:
- There is no unconditional jus soli. Birth on Marshallese territory to non-citizen parents does not confer citizenship.
- The jus sanguinis principle applies: the citizenship of at least one parent is required.
By Descent
A person born outside the Marshall Islands acquires Marshallese citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of the Marshall Islands at the time of the birth.
Requirements:
- The birth must be registered with the RMI government (through the Attorney General’s office or a diplomatic mission).
- There is no strict generational limit codified in the Constitution, but registration is essential for recognition.
By Adoption
A child adopted by a Marshallese citizen may acquire citizenship, provided:
- The adoption is recognized by a court of competent jurisdiction in the Marshall Islands.
- The child is a minor at the time of adoption.
- Customary adoption, which is common in Marshallese culture, may be recognized if formalized through the court system.
By Marriage
Marriage to a Marshallese citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse must apply for naturalization through the standard process. There is no formal reduction in the residency period for spouses, though the Cabinet may exercise discretion in individual cases.
By Naturalization
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 5 years in the Marshall Islands |
| Good character | Must be of good moral character |
| Language | Basic knowledge of Marshallese or English |
| Intent to reside | Must intend to make the Marshall Islands a permanent home |
| Renunciation | Must renounce all prior citizenships |
| Oath of allegiance | Must take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands |
| Cabinet approval | Naturalization requires approval by the Cabinet on recommendation of the Attorney General |
| Fee | USD 250 |
Practical note: Naturalization in the Marshall Islands is rare. The population is approximately 42,000, and the government processes very few naturalization applications. Most non-citizens in the RMI are present under work permits or diplomatic status.
Loss and Renunciation
Automatic Loss
A Marshallese citizen by naturalization may lose citizenship if they voluntarily acquire the citizenship of another country. Citizens by birth are not subject to automatic loss.
Voluntary Renunciation
A citizen may renounce Marshallese citizenship by written declaration, provided:
- The person holds or has been assured citizenship of another country.
- The renunciation will not render the person stateless.
Deprivation
The government may revoke naturalized citizenship if:
- It was obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of material facts.
- The person has taken an oath of allegiance to a foreign state (applicable to naturalized citizens).
- The person has committed treason or sedition against the Marshall Islands.
Citizens by birth cannot be deprived of their citizenship.
Restoration of Nationality
There is no codified automatic restoration mechanism for former Marshallese citizens. Persons who lost citizenship must apply through the standard naturalization process, subject to Cabinet approval.
In practice, given the small size of the community and the importance of extended family ties in Marshallese culture, former citizens with strong community connections may find the process more favorable than a first-time applicant.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- A child found in the Marshall Islands whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a citizen of the Marshall Islands.
- The Constitution contains provisions intended to prevent statelessness among persons born on Marshallese territory.
- The Marshall Islands is not a signatory to the 1954 or 1961 UN Conventions on statelessness.
Nuclear legacy and displacement: The U.S. nuclear testing program (1946—1958) on Bikini and Enewetak atolls forcibly displaced entire communities. The affected populations retain Marshallese citizenship and have specific rights under the COFA, including access to a Nuclear Claims Tribunal. The displacement created a unique class of internally displaced citizens whose ancestral lands remain uninhabitable.
Document Checklist
Completed citizenship application form
Valid passport (current and previous)
Birth certificate (with certified English translation if necessary)
Evidence of 5 years lawful residence in the Marshall Islands
Police clearance certificate (from RMI and countries of prior residence)
Evidence of language proficiency (Marshallese or English)
Proof of renunciation of all prior citizenships
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Two passport-sized photographs
Character references from Marshallese citizens
Declaration of intent to reside permanently in the Marshall Islands
Payment of prescribed fee (USD 250)
Sources
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Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (1979) — Article XI (Citizenship). https://rfrmi.info/
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Compact of Free Association (as amended 2023) — U.S.-RMI bilateral agreement governing immigration, defense, and economic assistance. https://www.state.gov/
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RMI Embassy, Washington D.C. — Consular and citizenship services. https://www.rmiembassyus.org/
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Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLII) — Repository of Marshall Islands legislation. http://www.paclii.org/mh/
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U.S. Department of the Interior — Office of Insular Affairs — COFA implementation and Freely Associated States information. https://www.doi.gov/oia