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Residence & citizenship

Comorian Citizenship by Marriage

For the foreign spouse of a Comorian citizen seeking Comorian nationality through marriage, granted under the country's nationality code.

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Under review — check current rules

The five-year marriage/residence figure and the gender-based distinctions come from secondary summaries of the nationality code, not an official Comoros publication; verify the current code and figures before publishing.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Comoros government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Acquisition of nationality by marriage
Route type
Citizenship by marriage
Marriage/residence required
Around 5 years (reported)
Governing law
Code de la Nationalite Comorienne - Law No. 79-12 of 12 December 1979
Foreign wife of a Comorian
Acquires nationality at the moment of marriage (Article 15)
Automatic unless declined or opposed by the government
Government opposition window
Six months after the marriage (Article 17)
Naturalisation residence if married to a Comorian
5 years (Article 30)
Reduced from the standard 10 years under Article 29
Where to apply
Marriage registered before the Comorian civil registry officer; naturalisation granted by decree

Who it is for

  • Foreign nationals married to a Comorian citizen
  • Spouses who have maintained the marriage and residence for the qualifying period

Requirements

  • A valid marriage to a Comorian citizen
  • A qualifying period of marriage and residence (reported as around 5 years)
  • Good character and other conditions set by the nationality code

How to apply

  • Maintain the marriage and residence for the qualifying period
  • Apply to the responsible Comorian authority with marriage and residence evidence

How the law works

Comorian nationality by marriage is governed by the Code de la Nationalite Comorienne (Law No. 79-12 of 12 December 1979), published by the Comoros Ministry of Justice.

Under Article 15, a foreign woman who marries a Comorian man acquires Comorian nationality at the moment the marriage is celebrated before the civil registry officer. Acquisition is automatic unless she has declined it or the government opposes it.

The Code as written treats a foreign husband of a Comorian citizen differently: he does not gain nationality automatically through marriage and would instead apply through naturalisation, where being married to a Comorian reduces the required residence period.

Conditions and exceptions

  • Article 16: a foreign woman may decline Comorian nationality before the marriage if her own national law allows her to keep her existing nationality; no parental authorisation is needed even if she is a minor.
  • Article 17: the government may oppose the acquisition by decree within a six-month window following the marriage; if it does, she is treated as never having acquired the nationality.
  • Article 19: nationality is not acquired if the marriage is later annulled by a Comorian court.
  • Naturalisation route (Article 29): the standard requirement is ten years of habitual residence before applying.
  • Naturalisation route (Article 30): the residence requirement is reduced to five years for a person married to a Comorian (as well as for those born in the Comoros or who have rendered important services).

Documents you may need

  • Valid passport / national identity document
  • Official marriage certificate registered before the Comorian civil registry officer
  • Spouse's proof of Comorian nationality
  • Evidence of residence in the Comoros (for the naturalisation route)

Frequently asked questions

  • Under Article 15 of the 1979 Nationality Code a foreign woman marrying a Comorian man acquires nationality automatically at the marriage, unless she declines it or the government opposes within six months. A foreign husband is not automatically naturalised and must apply through naturalisation, where marriage reduces the required residence to five years (Article 30).

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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