How does a foreigner become a Peruvian citizen by naturalization or by marriage?
You apply to Migraciones. Naturalization needs two consecutive years of legal residence, a passed exam and proof of income; marriage needs two continuous years living in Peru married to a Peruvian. Neither is automatic.
VerificationVerified against the official sourceSee the sources ↓
- 25sources cited
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- 3official institutions
Congress of Peru · El Peruano · Peruvian State portal (gob.pe)
Checked 30 Sept 2026Next review 27 Nov 2026
Two different routes
Ley 26574, the Nationality Law, treats separately two ways a foreigner can become Peruvian:
- Naturalization (article 3). For any foreigner who states the wish to become Peruvian and meets three requirements: living legally in Peru for at least two consecutive years, regularly working in a profession, trade, craft or business, and having no criminal record, with good conduct and moral standing.
- Option by marriage (article 4, numeral 2). For a foreigner married to a Peruvian who lives in Peru as such for at least two years and states the wish to become Peruvian before the authority.
Both are handled by the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones, which under article 2 of the regulation has authority over nationality and naturalization. Neither is automatic.
There is a new law, Ley 32421, that is not yet in force; see «Possible changes ahead» below.
Naturalization: what the regulation requires
Article 9 of the regulation (as amended by Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN) requires:
- Showing your carné de extranjería (foreigner ID), up to date and with current residence.
- Two consecutive years of legal residence before you file. Migraciones reviews those last two years.
- Passing the evaluation exam and keeping the conditions throughout the process. In what we read we did not find which topics the exam covers.
- Proof of minimum income of 10 UIT in gross annual income (S/ 55,000 at the 2026 UIT; the UIT is Peru’s tax reference unit). Members of religious orders file a sworn statement of financial support instead.
- Birth certificate legalized or apostilled, a copy of your passport, a sworn statement of address and of having no criminal record, and an Interpol certificate no older than 6 months.
The gob.pe page adds documents depending on your immigration status. For example, if you are an employee, a contract approved by the labor authority for at least 1 year from the date you file.
Watch your trips abroad
The naturalization rules point to article 63 of the immigration regulation: you lose your residence if you are outside Peru for more than 183 consecutive days within a 365-day period. The exception is holding an authorization to stay outside the country granted by Migraciones. A long absence can break your two consecutive years.
Marriage: what the regulation requires
Article 20 of the regulation sets the conditions: two continuous years living in Peru married to a Peruvian, stating your wish to become Peruvian, no criminal record, full legal capacity and a current carné de extranjería. The evaluation exam does not appear among those conditions or on the gob.pe page.
The gob.pe page (27 January 2026) asks for, among other documents:
- A marriage certificate registered with Reniec and issued no more than 30 days earlier, showing at least two years of marriage. If you married abroad, the certificate registered at the Peruvian consulate, no older than 90 days and legalized by the Foreign Ministry.
- Proof of household income (payslips, recibos por honorarios (freelance receipts), contracts or Sunat tax returns).
- A simple sworn statement that you live together and that the marriage is still in force, signed by both of you.
- A sworn statement of address and of having no criminal record, and an Interpol certificate no older than 6 months.
The same page says Indecopi declared illegal the requirements of the Peruvian spouse’s birth certificate and DNI (Resolución 0254-2023/SEL-INDECOPI), and the old fee of S/ 113.30. The current fee is S/ 204.40.
If you are already married to a Peruvian but do not have residence yet, the first step is a different one: residency through marriage. How to move from one immigration status to another is covered in changing your immigration status.
One point of the law few people know: a person who obtained nationality by marriage does not lose it after a later divorce or the death of the spouse (article 4 of Ley 26574).
The Interpol certificate: two official versions
Here the official sources disagree, and we will not pick one:
- Indecopi declared it an illegal bureaucratic barrier to require the ficha de canje internacional (Interpol certificate) for naturalization, nationality by marriage and dual nationality under the Spain agreement. The extract of Resolución 0382-2022/SEL-INDECOPI was published on 13 January 2023. The reasoning: the Police and Migraciones belong to the same sector, and the law forbids asking for documents issued by another entity of the same sector.
- The naturalization and marriage pages (27 January 2026) say that an injunction issued on 30 January 2024 by the Quinta Sala Especializada en lo Contencioso Administrativo con Subespecialidad en Temas de Mercado of the Lima Superior Court suspended the non-application of the Interpol certificate and the health sworn statement, with effect on Resolución 0382-2022. That is why since 14 June 2024 Migraciones asks for both again.
- The Spain agreement page (17 June 2024) still says the Interpol certificate cannot be required, although it keeps it in its list of requirements.
In addition, since November 2023 the Immigration Law says a foreigner must present the Interpol certificate “when MIGRACIONES requires it” (article 26.2, as worded by Decreto Legislativo 1582).
According to the most recent naturalization and marriage pages, they ask for it today. How to get it is covered in Interpol record check. If you are asked for something you believe is illegal, see what to do if a procedure is refused.
If you are Spanish: the Peru–Spain agreement
There is a separate procedure, dual nationality under the agreement between Peru and Spain. Article 34 of the regulation requires Spanish nationality, being over 18 with full legal capacity and living legally in Peru for at least two consecutive years. The gob.pe page gives a fee of S/ 301.50 and asks for a letter to the Minister of the Interior giving your reasons. What holding two nationalities means is explained in dual nationality.
After approval
The pages describe the last step: a ceremony where you take an oath, receive the nationality title (naturalization) or registration (marriage), and use it to apply for your DNI at Reniec. Ley 26574 adds one limit: dual nationality does not give those who naturalize “the rights reserved exclusively to Peruvians by birth” (article 11; in Spanish, los derechos privativos de los peruanos por nacimiento).
How to file
- Check that you meet the two yearsNaturalization: two consecutive years of legal residence before you file, with a carné de extranjería (foreigner ID) and current residence. Marriage: two continuous years living in Peru married to a Peruvian. Check your trips abroad: more than 183 days in a row outside Peru costs you your residence.
- Gather the documentsNaturalization: passport, birth certificate legalized or apostilled, proof of income, sworn statement and an Interpol certificate no older than 6 months. Marriage: a recent marriage certificate, proof of household income, a sworn statement of cohabitation signed by both of you and an Interpol certificate.
- Pay the fee at Banco de la NaciónCode 07564: S/ 301.50 for naturalization or S/ 204.40 for marriage, according to the pages updated on 27 January 2026. Keep the receipt number and date: the form asks for them.
- File the application on Migraciones' Agencia DigitalLog in with your details, choose Mesa de Partes (online filing desk) and attach everything as PDF. For marriage, the page asks for a single PDF file. The answer arrives at the email you register.
- Exam, oath and DNIFor naturalization you must pass an evaluation exam. If approved, Migraciones calls you to an oath ceremony, hands you the nationality title or registration, and with that document you apply for your DNI at Reniec.
Possible changes ahead
None of this is law in force yet. What this page explains is what applies today; this is what could change it.
Published, not yet in force
Ley N.º 32421, Nueva Ley de Nacionalidad (new Nationality Law)
- Where it stands
- Published in El Peruano on 15 August 2025. Not yet in force. As of 30 September 2026 we found neither its implementing regulation (reglamento) nor a draft regulation published for comments in El Peruano.
- What it would change
- Naturalization would require five years of continuous migratory residence immediately before the application, instead of two, plus annual income of 10 UIT from a lawful source, with formal tax compliance in Peru (article 17). Nationality by marriage, which the law calls «opción», would require four continuous years of marriage to a Peruvian, instead of two (article 19). Divorce or widowhood would still not take away your nationality, unless it is proven that you took part in your spouse's death. Every route would require knowledge of Spanish or another official language, if it is not your native language, and general knowledge of the country (article 11). The maximum processing time would be eighteen months (article 14). It would also repeal Ley 26574.
- How it would take effect
- It takes effect the day after its implementing regulation is published in El Peruano (Disposición Complementaria Final, third). If you file before that date, your case follows the rules in force when you filed (Disposición Complementaria Transitoria, única).
- When
- No date set. The Executive had 180 business days from the law's publication to approve the regulation (Disposición Complementaria Final, first). By our count, that deadline passed around 6 May 2026. The regulation has not been published.
«La presente ley entra en vigor al día siguiente de la publicación de su reglamento en el diario oficial El Peruano.»What people fail to ask in time
What can you do if Migraciones demands a requirement that Indecopi has already declared illegal?
Find out before it matters →What most people believe — and what the law says
If I marry a Peruvian, I become Peruvian.
No. Ley 26574 requires you to be married to a Peruvian and living in Peru as such for at least two years, and to state your wish to become Peruvian before the authority. Only then do you apply to Migraciones, which assesses the application.
After two years of residence, Migraciones has to grant me citizenship.
The two years are one condition, not the only one. To naturalize you must also pass an evaluation exam, prove income, have no criminal record and keep meeting the conditions throughout the process (Regulation, article 9).
If I divorce, I lose the citizenship I got through marriage.
No. Article 4 of Ley 26574 says a spouse naturalized by marriage does not lose Peruvian nationality in case of divorce or the death of the spouse.
Indecopi scrapped the Interpol certificate, so they no longer ask for it.
Indecopi declared it illegal (in a resolution published in January 2023), but Migraciones' pages say a court injunction suspended that decision and that since 14 June 2024 they ask for it again for naturalization and marriage.
Ley 32421 already changed the requirements from two to five years.
Not yet. Ley 32421 was published on 15 August 2025, but it only takes effect the day after its implementing regulation is published (Disposición Complementaria Final, third), and as of 30 September 2026 that regulation had not been published in El Peruano. Until then, Ley 26574 governs, with the requirements described above. What would change is in «Possible changes ahead».
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
S/ 301.50 for naturalization and S/ 204.40 for marriage, paid with code 07564 at Banco de la Nación or on pagalo.pe, according to the gob.pe pages updated on 27 January 2026. Under the Spain agreement, S/ 301.50, according to its page updated on 17 June 2024. On top of that come the documents you need to get, such as the Interpol certificate or the apostille on your birth certificate.
How long does it take?
The pages give a maximum of 30 business days to decide. For naturalization, the page adds that this period is suspended at certain stages; for marriage, that it depends on checking information with other entities. If approved, you are called to an oath ceremony and then take your title or registration to Reniec to get your DNI.
Can I travel during the two years of residence that naturalization requires?
Yes, carefully. The naturalization rules refer to article 63 of the immigration regulation: you lose your residence if you are abroad for more than 183 consecutive days within a 365-day period. The exception is holding an authorization to stay outside the country granted by Migraciones.
I am Spanish. Is there another route?
Yes: dual nationality under the Peru–Spain agreement. The regulation requires Spanish nationality, being over 18 with full legal capacity and living legally in Peru for at least two consecutive years. The gob.pe page gives a fee of S/ 301.50.
Are the new Ley 32421 requirements already in force?
No. Ley 32421 only takes effect the day after its implementing regulation is published, and as of 30 September 2026 that regulation had not been published in El Peruano. Until then, the requirements in force are those of Ley 26574 explained above: two years of residence for naturalization, two years of marriage for the option by marriage.
The exact law
Ley N.º 26574Artículo 4, numeral 2read
Nationality Law — the option by marriage
«La persona extranjera unida en matrimonio con peruano o peruana y residente, en esta condición, en el territorio de la República por lo menos dos años, que expresa su voluntad de serlo ante la autoridad competente.»
↳Artículo 4, paragraph after numeral 2read
Nationality Law — divorce or widowhood does not remove nationality obtained by marriage
«El cónyuge naturalizado por matrimonio no pierde la nacionalidad peruana en caso de divorcio o fallecimiento del cónyuge.»
↳Artículo 11read
Nationality Law — limits of dual nationality for naturalized citizens
«La doble nacionalidad no confiere a los extranjeros que se naturalicen, los derechos privativos de los peruanos por nacimiento.»
Ley N.º 30941Artículo único (text of article 3 of Ley 26574)read
Law adding numeral 3 to article 3 of Ley 26574 — naturalization requirements
«a) Residir legalmente en el territorio de la República por lo menos dos años consecutivos.»
Decreto Supremo N.º 002-2021-INArticle 9 of the Regulation of Ley 26574 (amended text)read
Nationality Law Regulation — conditions and requirements for naturalization
«Asimismo, debe aprobar el examen de evaluación y mantener las condiciones y requisitos necesarios durante el trámite.»
↳Article 20, literal a, of the Regulation of Ley 26574 (amended text)read
Nationality Law Regulation — conditions for nationality by marriage
«Estar residiendo en el país un mínimo de dos (2) años continuos en condición de casado(a) con peruano(a).»
↳Article 63, literal a, of the Regulation of Decreto Legislativo 1350 (amended text)read
Immigration Regulation — losing residence through absence from Peru
«Por más de ciento ochenta y tres (183) días consecutivos en un plazo de trescientos sesenta y cinco días (365), contabilizados desde su primera salida del país durante el periodo de residencia otorgado.»
↳Article 34, literal c, of the Regulation of Ley 26574 (amended text)read
Nationality Law Regulation — dual nationality under the Peru–Spain agreement
«Residir legalmente en el territorio de la República del Perú por lo menos dos años consecutivos.»
Resolución N.º 0382-2022/SEL-INDECOPIPublished extract, barrier declared illegal (iii)read
Indecopi declares the Interpol requirement illegal for naturalization, marriage and the Spain agreement
«La exigencia de presentar el requisito denominado “Ficha de canje internacional (Interpol)” para la tramitación del procedimiento de Obtención de la nacionalidad peruana por matrimonio»
Resolución N.º 0254-2023/SEL-INDECOPIPublished extract, barriers declared illegal (i), (ii), (iv), (v) and (vi)read
Indecopi declares the old fees, the health declaration and the Peruvian spouse's birth certificate illegal
«El requisito denominado “Declaración jurada de estado de salud” para la tramitación de los procedimientos de “Obtención de la nacionalidad peruana por naturalización” y “Obtención de la nacionalidad peruana por matrimonio”»
Decreto Legislativo N.º 1582Artículo 2 (text of article 26.2 of Decreto Legislativo 1350)read
Decree amending the Immigration Law — Interpol certificate when Migraciones asks for it
«Cuando MIGRACIONES lo requiera, la persona extranjera debe presentar la Ficha de Canje Interpol u otro documento análogo.»
Página oficial de trámite — Superintendencia Nacional de MigracionesFicha de trámiteread
Solicitar la nacionalidad peruana por naturalización
«En virtud de dicho mandato judicial, a partir del 14 de junio de 2024, Migraciones solicita la presentación de los requisitos de Ficha de Canje Internacional - INTERPOL y la Declaración Jurada de Estado de Salud en los procedimientos de nacionalización por naturalización.»
↳Ficha de trámiteread
Obtener la nacionalidad peruana por matrimonio
«Pago de S/ 204.40 con el código 07564, en cualquier agencia del Banco de la Nación o en la web pagalo.pe.»
↳Ficha de trámiteread
Obtener la nacionalidad peruana por doble nacionalidad por convenio entre la República del Perú y el Reino de España
«se declara barrera burocrática ilegal: la Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL) en los trámites de nacionalización por doble nacionalidad, no resultando exigible desde el día siguiente de su publicación.»
Ley N.º 32421Artículo 17, literal bread
New Nationality Law — naturalization: five years of residence
«Acreditar un periodo de residencia migratoria mínima de cinco años en el territorio de la República, continuos e inmediatos anteriores a la presentación de la solicitud.»
↳Artículo 17, literal aread
New Nationality Law — naturalization: 10 UIT income with formal tax compliance
«Acreditar el ejercicio de una profesión, arte, oficio, actividad empresarial u otra actividad que le permita generar ingresos económicos anuales de fuente lícita y propia de diez unidades impositivas tributarias (10 UIT), y que tribute formalmente en el país, para solventar sus gastos en el territorio nacional.»
↳Artículo 19read
New Nationality Law — marriage (now called "option"): four years
«Las personas extranjeras pueden solicitar la obtención de la nacionalidad peruana por opción cuando acrediten la unión matrimonial con peruano o peruana por un tiempo mínimo de cuatro (4) años continuos e inmediatos a la fecha de presentación de la solicitud.»
↳Artículo 19, quinto párraforead
New Nationality Law — marriage: exception if involved in the spouse's death
«La persona extranjera que obtiene la nacionalidad peruana por matrimonio no la pierde en caso de posterior divorcio o fallecimiento del cónyuge nacional, salvo que se compruebe su participación en el hecho de muerte del connacional.»
↳Artículo 11, literal bread
New Nationality Law — language requirement for every voluntary route
«Conocimiento del idioma castellano o alguno de los idiomas oficiales reconocidos por la Constitución Política del Perú o en la ley de la materia, siempre y cuando uno de dichos idiomas no sea su lengua materna.»
↳Artículo 11, literal cread
New Nationality Law — general-knowledge requirement for every voluntary route
«Conocimientos generales de la historia y geografía del país, así como de la Constitución Política del Perú, del arte y cultura, ciudadanía, educación cívica y actualidad nacional que son evaluados en el modo y forma establecido en el reglamento de la presente ley.»
↳Artículo 14read
New Nationality Law — maximum eighteen-month decision period
«El plazo de tramitación de los procedimientos de obtención de la nacionalidad peruana por voluntad, renuncia y recuperación de la nacionalidad peruana por nacimiento, previstos en la presente ley, tiene una duración máxima de dieciocho meses.»
↳Disposición Complementaria Final, primeraread
New Nationality Law — 180 business days to issue the regulation
«El Poder Ejecutivo reglamenta la presente ley en un plazo de ciento ochenta días hábiles contados a partir de su publicación en el diario oficial El Peruano.»
↳Disposición Complementaria Final, terceraread
New Nationality Law — takes effect only once its regulation is published
«La presente ley entra en vigor al día siguiente de la publicación de su reglamento en el diario oficial El Peruano.»
↳Disposición Complementaria Derogatoria, únicaread
New Nationality Law — repeals Ley 26574
«A la entrada en vigor de la presente ley, se deroga la Ley 26574, Ley de Nacionalidad y demás normas que contravengan a la presente ley.»
↳Disposición Complementaria Transitoria, únicaread
New Nationality Law — pending applications keep the rules in force when filed
«Los trámites de obtención y recuperación de la nacionalidad peruana iniciados con anterioridad a la vigencia de la presente ley continúan el procedimiento de acuerdo con las normas vigentes a la fecha de su presentación.»
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