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Register US-born child for Argentina dual nationality

How to register your US-born child as a Argentina citizen at a consulate in the US: required documents, fees ($10-$30 typical), processing (Same-day registration in most consulates; civil registry record issued in 2-8 weeks), dual nationality implications.

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Coming up next: once you finish this, the next step is Get your child's Argentina passport.

Register US-born child for Argentina dual nationality

Children born in the United States to Argentina-citizen parents are entitled to dual nationality — US citizenship by birthright (14th Amendment) and Argentina citizenship by descent. To exercise the Argentina citizenship, you register the child’s birth at the nearest Argentina consulate.

This procedure is widely used — every year, thousands of US-born children of Argentina parents are registered for dual nationality, mostly for future travel, family visits, and to preserve cultural and economic ties.

Why register your US-born child

Registering provides the child with:

  • A Argentina birth registration certificate (an official civil-registry document of Argentina)
  • Eligibility to apply for a Argentina passport (often same consulate, separate appointment)
  • Right to live, work, study, and inherit property in Argentina without immigration restrictions
  • Eligibility for Argentina-specific education programs (scholarships, university admissions reserved for citizens)
  • Healthcare access in Argentina as a citizen
  • Inheritance rights from Argentina-citizen grandparents and other relatives

Dual nationality — confirmed lawful by both countries

The United States permits dual nationality. Per the US Department of State: “A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another.”

Argentina also permits dual nationality with the US. Both passports can be held simultaneously.

Required documents

To register your US-born child as a Argentina citizen:

  • Child’s US birth certificate (long-form, certified copy with raised seal — sometimes apostilled is required by the consulate)
  • Argentina passport of the Argentina-citizen parent(s) (current and valid)
  • Marriage certificate of parents (apostilled if applicable)
  • Parents’ photo ID (current state ID, driver license, or passport)
  • US proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement less than 3 months old)
  • Recent photo of the child (passport-style, often taken at consulate)
  • Completed registration application (download from consulate or fill at appointment)
  • Fee ($10-$30 typical, money order or cash)

Step-by-step process

  1. Schedule appointment at your local Argentina consulate (online portal)
  2. Gather documents per checklist above
  3. Apostille the US birth certificate if required by your consulate (see apostille process)
  4. Attend appointment with the child present (most consulates require the child to be physically there)
  5. Submit documents and pay fee ($10-$30 typical)
  6. Wait for processing — Same-day registration in most consulates; civil registry record issued in 2-8 weeks
  7. Receive Argentina birth registration certificate — this is the child’s official Argentina civil-registry document
  8. Apply for Argentina passport (optional, separate appointment) using the new birth registration

Children born outside marriage (and other family configurations)

Each country has its own rules for transmission of citizenship by descent. Some require the Argentina-citizen parent to register the birth within a specific time period (e.g., before the child turns 18); some require both parents to be Argentina citizens; some have additional rules for adopted children, surrogacy, or children born outside marriage. Verify your specific situation directly with the Argentina consulate before the appointment.

After registration

Once the child’s Argentina citizenship is registered:

  • The child can be issued a Argentina passport (separate consular appointment)
  • Use the Argentina passport when entering Argentina
  • Use the US passport when entering the US
  • This is the standard dual-national travel pattern

When the child is older, they can register to vote in Argentina elections from abroad if Argentina allows it.

Authoritative sources

Last verified: 2026-05-26. General procedural information for educational purposes. Citizenship-by-descent rules vary by country and change. Verify directly with the Argentina consulate before traveling. Not legal advice.

Your next step
Get your child's Argentina passport

Once registered, the child can hold both passports — the registration is the prerequisite.

Frequently asked questions

Why register my US-born child as a Argentina citizen?
Registering your US-born child as a citizen of Argentina provides dual nationality — the child holds both US citizenship (by birthright under the 14th Amendment) and Argentina citizenship (by descent through you). Benefits include: ability to obtain a Argentina passport, right to live/work/study/inherit property in Argentina without immigration restrictions, easier travel for family visits, eligibility for Argentina-specific educational and economic programs.
Will registering my child as Argentina citizen affect their US citizenship?
No. The US allows dual nationality. Registering your US-born child as a citizen of another country does not affect their US citizenship or trigger any US immigration consequence. The 14th Amendment makes all persons born in the US US citizens regardless of parental immigration status (with very narrow exceptions for diplomats’ children).
What documents do I need to register my US-born child as Argentina citizen?
Typically: child’s US birth certificate (long-form, may need apostille for some countries — see apostille guide), Argentina passport(s) of Argentina-citizen parent(s), parents’ marriage certificate (apostilled if applicable), parents’ photo ID, US proof of address, application form, and the fee. Specific requirements vary by country — confirm at https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/.
How long does it take to register my child and receive Argentina documents?
Registration is typically completed at the appointment (Same-day registration in most consulates; civil registry record issued in 2-8 weeks); the official Argentina birth registration certificate is issued in 2-8 weeks. After the registration is complete, you can apply for the child’s Argentina passport using the new registration certificate.

Consular procedures

Related procedures

General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.