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Residence & citizenship

Togolese Nationality by Marriage

Acquisition of Togolese nationality linked to marriage to a Togolese citizen.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

The marriage-based nationality rules are gender-differentiated under the 1978 Code and conflict with more recent family-law reforms; treat this route as under review and confirm the current legal position with an official source 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 Togo government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Acquisition de la nationalité par mariage (Nationality by marriage)
Route type
Citizenship linked to marriage
Legal basis
Code de la nationalité togolaise (Ordinance No. 78-34 of 1978)
Eligibility
Foreign woman married to a Togolese man
Where to apply
Tribunal of Lome (Ministry of Justice), in person
Not available online; not handled by the DGDN e-visa portal.
Validity
Unlimited (nationality, once granted)
Cost
Not stated on the official page
One secondary source cites 5,000 CFA - unconfirmed.
Processing time
Not stated officially
A secondary source suggests about one month - unconfirmed.

Who it is for

  • Foreign spouses of Togolese citizens

Requirements

  • Valid marriage to a Togolese national
  • Supporting civil-status documents (marriage and birth certificates)
  • Compliance with the conditions in the Nationality Code

How to apply

  • Submit the file to the Ministry of Justice / civil-identity and nationality administration with civil-status documents
  • Confirm the current procedure and gender-specific rules with the authorities before applying

Who can acquire nationality this way

Under the Togolese Nationality Code (Ordinance No. 78-34 of 7 September 1978), a foreign woman who marries a Togolese man acquires Togolese nationality. A woman whose own national law lets her keep her original nationality may declare, before the marriage is celebrated, that she declines Togolese nationality.

The route applies to a foreign woman married to a Togolese man; it does not extend nationality to a foreign man married to a Togolese woman.

Documents you may need

  • Birth declaration/certificate of the applicant (original plus certified copy).
  • Identity photo of the applicant.
  • Husband's Togolese nationality certificate (original plus certified copy).
  • Marriage certificate (original plus certified copy).

Frequently asked questions

  • Not necessarily. Togolese nationality is acquired on marriage, but if your own country's law lets you keep your original nationality you may declare - before the marriage is celebrated - that you decline Togolese nationality.

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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