Acquisition of Greek nationality upon recognition

From National Registry of Administrative Public Services



4f9c15ec-e5e5-4e60-b749-2085ee56bfe9 471746 Κτήση Ελληνικής Ιθαγένειας με Αναγνώριση

At a glance

Digital provision points

  • The service is not provided digitally

Number of required documents

5 to 7

Fees

Provided without cost

Estimated Time

18 months

Description

The procedure involves acquisition of Greek nationality upon recognition and concerns any foreigner who was born out of wedlock and was legally recognised as the child of a Greek father. Such foreigners are granted Greek nationality if they are minors at the time of recognition. The date of acquisition of Greek nationality is deemed to be either the date on which the notarial act of recognition was drawn up or the date on which the judicial act of recognition became de jure non-appealable. If the recognition took place after the child attained the age of majority, the procedure for naturalisation of expatriates can take place (https://www.ypes.gr/g-g-ithageneias/diadikasies-ktisis-e-i/politografisi-omogenon)

Basic information

Competent body

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Authority/Public body’s Unit responsible for the institutional framework of the procedure


Related links


Last update

03/11/2024

Application

Application Type

Application

Submission by:

Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by:

Persons

Title

Application for determination of nationality due to recognition by a Greek father

Notes:

The application is filed by the father and/or the mother when the child is a minor or by the child themselves when they attain the age of majority, provided recognition took place while they were a minor. Where the application is filed with a Greek consular authority abroad, a consular fee may apply in accordance with the provisions of Presidential Decree 16/2014 on Consular Fees and Royalties.

What you will need

Means of authentication, identification and signature

Identification document

    Print

    Requirements

      Fees

        Related


        Means of redress or appeal:

        Other Special Administrative Appeal

        Rules concerning a lack of reply from the competent authority and the legal consequences for the use:

        Tacit rejection

        Under Article 45 of Law 4604/2019 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 50), as amended by Article 37 of Law 4674/2020 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 53): A special administrative appeal under Article 8 of Law 3200/1955 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 97) may be lodged with the Minister of Interior against decisions issued by the Regional Directors of Nationality and decisions issued ‘pursuant to authorisation’. The appeal lodged in accordance with the foregoing must be accompanied by a fee receipt for EUR 100.

        Output & Results

        Output

        Decision

        Steps

          Digital steps

            Other information

            Alternative titles

            Acquisition of Greek nationality of a foreign minor due to recognition by a Greek father

            Official title

            Acquisition of Greek nationality upon recognition

            Languages supported

            Greek, English

            Registries updated

            Ολοκληρωμένο Πληροφοριακό Σύστημα Ιθαγένειας

            Legislation

              Categories

              Τype of procedure

              Trigger

              Applied for

              Trigger (submission method)

              Application (handwritten)

              Type

              Outgoing
              D5

              ,,


            • 1 Family The person concerned must be a child of a foreign mother and a Greek father born out of wedlock, i.e. there must be no ‘presumption of being born in wedlock’ as provided for in Article 1465 of the Greek Civil Code.


              No No

            • 2 Citizenship The person concerned must not have acquired Greek nationality by any other lawful means prior to recognition, i.e. they must be foreign nationals.


              No No

            • 3 Age The child acquiring Greek nationality must not have attained the age of 18 by the date they are recognised as the child of a Greek father.


              No No

            • 4 Citizenship The recognising father must hold Greek citizenship at the time the recognition takes place.


              No No

            • 5 Administrative The act of recognition must be valid under Greek law, with such validity determined in accordance with Articles 11 and 20 of the Greek Civil Code.


              No No

            • 1 A police-issued ID card Police Identity Card

              A police-issued ID card

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: Required if the application is filed by the Greek father.

              Document submitted under requirements: Yes

              Document’s requirement: Administrative

              No 1860

            • 2 Birth certificate of the foreign child. Registry certificate

              Birth certificate of the foreign child.

              Relevant link: https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/oikogeneia

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: If the child was born in Greece, a birth certificate drawn up by the competent Greek authorities must be submitted.

              Document submitted under requirements: No


              No 1275

            • 3 Birth certificate issued by a foreign authority Certification

              Birth certificate issued by a foreign authority

              Relevant link: https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/oikogeneia

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: If the child recognised was born outside Greece, a birth certificate issued by a competent foreign authority must be presented, with the original document bearing legal certification (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention), accompanied by an official translation. The foreign birth certificate may function as an act of recognition, in which case a recognition report will be drawn up by the competent consular authority.

              Document submitted under requirements: No

              Alternative document of: 2

              Yes 8619

            • 4 A voluntary recognition act drawn up before a notary public, whereby the Greek father recognises the child as legitimate with the consent of the foreign mother. Notarary document

              A voluntary recognition act drawn up before a notary public, whereby the Greek father recognises the child as legitimate with the consent of the foreign mother.

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: In the case of voluntary recognition, a notarial recognition deed must be produced, drawn up in accordance with the provisions of Article 1475 of the Greek Civil Code on voluntary recognition. If the child is recognised after they have attained the age of three, the foreign mother must hold a lawful residence permit in order for the notarial recognition deed to be drawn up.

              Document submitted under requirements: No


              No 3139

            • 5 A court judgment recognising paternity Rule

              A court judgment recognising paternity

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: In the case of a decision handed down by a Greek court whereby the Greek father is recognised as the biological father of the minor child, a copy of the recognition judgment must be produced, accompanied by a certificate confirming that it has become de jure non-appealable. If the recognition was effected pursuant to a judgment handed down by a foreign court which has become irrevocable, its res judicata must also be recognised in Greece.

              Document submitted under requirements: No

              Alternative document of: 4

              Yes 1127

            • 6 The Greek father’s certificate of municipal registration Certificate from a Local Government Organization

              The Greek father’s certificate of municipal registration

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: A certificate of registration in the competent municipal roll of the municipality must be produced, proving that the father held Greek nationality at the time of recognition.

              Document submitted under requirements: No


              No 7358

            • 7 Family status certificate of the foreign mother Certification

              Family status certificate of the foreign mother

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: The original of the certificate must bear legal certification (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention) and be accompanied by an official translation. Production of the aforesaid certificate (or its alternatives) is necessary in order to verify whether the main requirement for the validity of the recognition is met, i.e. confirmation either that the child to be recognised is the child of an unmarried mother, or that the child was born in wedlock by their foreign mother but the presumption of their origin from this marriage has been rebutted.

              Document submitted under requirements: No


              No 8619

            • 8 Certificate of non-impediment of the foreign mother Certification

              Certificate of non-impediment of the foreign mother

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: The original of the certificate must bear legal certification (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention) and be accompanied by an official translation.

              Document submitted under requirements: No

              Alternative document of: 7

              Yes 8619

            • 9 Solemn declaration of non-impediment of the foreign mother Declaration

              Solemn declaration of non-impediment of the foreign mother

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: Submitted by the foreign mother if it is objectively impossible to issue a certificate of non-impediment. If the solemn declaration is prepared in a language other than Greek, it must be accompanied by an official translation. The solemn declaration must be accompanied by a certificate, issued by the competent foreign authorities, duly certified and officially translated, on the non-issuance of a certificate of non-impediment or similar certificates

              Document submitted under requirements: No

              Alternative document of: 7

              Yes 9429

            • 10 Exact copy of the foreign mothers valid passport Travel Document

              Exact copy of the foreign mothers valid passport

              Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

              Submitted by: Persons

              Notes: An exact copy of the foreign mother’s passport is required in order to confirm her particulars

              Document submitted under requirements: No


              No 4746

            • 11 Other proof of identity of the foreign mother Identification document

              Other proof of identity of the foreign mother



              Document submitted under requirements: No

              Alternative document of: 10

              Yes 2244

            • 12 Residence permit of the foreign mother Residence Permit

              Residence permit of the foreign mother



              Notes: This is required if the application to acquire nationality upon recognition is (also) submitted by the foreign mother to the competent Greek nationality service.

              Document submitted under requirements: Yes

              Document’s requirement: Administrative

              No 4178

            • Law 2 3284 2004 217 Α

              Description An alien who was born without the marriage of his parents and was legally recognised as a Greek child, so that he could be fully assimilated to his father’s genuine child, became Greek from recognition if he is a minor at that time.

              Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=20040100217

            • Law 2 1438 1984 60 Α

              Description An alien who was born without the marriage of his parents and was legally recognised as a child of Greek or Greek in order to be fully assimilated to a genuine child of his parent, became Greek since the recognition if at that time he had not completed the eighteenth year of his age.

              Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=19840100060

            • Legislative decree 3 3370 1955 258 Α

              Description Prior to the completion of the 21st year of his age, recognised, by voluntary or full judicial recognition as a Greek child, he becomes Greek by the recognition.

              Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=19550100258

            • Circular Φ.102744/71666 2007

              Description Building of the Hellenic National with recognition


            • Circular Φ.102744/9509 2008

              Description Acquisition of Greek nationality on the grounds of recognition.


            • Presidential Decree 11, 20, 1475, 1479 456 1984 164 Α

              Description Articles 11 and 20 AC determine the validity of voluntary recognition and Article 1475 and Article 1479 AC regulate the way of voluntary and judicial recognition.

              Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=19840100164

            • 1 Application - Protocol

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description The application shall be submitted to the Regional Integration Department of the place of residence of the applicant's parents if they are resident in the Greek Consular Authority, if they are resident in a foreign country. The application shall be submitted by the father or mother if the child is a minor and by the applicant himself if he is an adult.

              Notes If the application is submitted to the Hellenic Consular Authority, it shall be transmitted with a diplomatic bag to the relevant Regional Nationality Directorate to which the Municipality of Greece is subject and followed by the above-mentioned procedure. If the application is submitted by the adult most senior child, it may address any citizenship service of the country according to the municipality to which it wishes to register.

              No No


            • 2 Charge to rapporteur

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description The dossier shall be debited by the relevant Head of Division via the IPS Nationality to the relevant rapporteur.

              No No


            • 3 Checking for conditional assistance

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

              Description At this stage, the file is complete and the supporting documents submitted are lawful.

              Notes The competent rapporteur shall check whether all the supporting documents required have been submitted and whether the conditions for the adoption of a decision to obtain a Greek nationality have been met on the grounds of recognition.

              No No


            • 4 Search for legal information or applicable law

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description Where recognition has been made in a country for which legal information is not available to the Directorate-General for Citizenship, corresponds to the competent Greek Consular Authority in order to investigate whether recognition has been legally effected in accordance with the legislation in its country of drafting, as well as whether, in its content, the simulation of the off-married child with authenticity is complete without any derogation or period, or subject to revocation, as required by Greek law, in order to produce its legal effects.

              Yes No


            • 5 Search for additional supporting documents

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description Where the supporting documents submitted are incomplete or have not been submitted in accordance with the procedure provided for, correspondence shall be made in order to produce them by law.

              Yes No


            • 6 Drawing up a draft decision

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description A draft decision accepting or rejecting the request for Greek citizenship shall be drawn up.

              No No


            • 7 Signature Decision

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Director

              Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

              Description The draft decision by all the bodies (Rapporteur, Head of Division, Director) is signed.

              No No


            • 8 Adoption of a decision establishing Greek nationality on the grounds of recognition

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action


              Yes No


            • 9 Mission of a summary of the decision for publication at the National Printing Office

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description A summary of the decision is sent electronically to the National Printing Office in order to be published in the CoR.

              Yes No


            • 10 Publication of a decision to acquire Greek citizenship in the CoC

              Responsible for Implementation Co-competent Authority

              Co-responsible for Implementation NATIONAL PRINTING HOUSE

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description Summary of the decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the Government.

              Yes No


            • 11 Installation of DISTRIBUTION

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description After publication the summary of the decision is also posted on the website of the INTERNATIONAL Programme

              Yes No


            • 12 Announcement of Acquisition of Greek Citizenship - Migration Command

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Software action

              Description A document to be sent to the relevant municipality of the country for the registration of the recognised child in the Journal shall be drawn up.

              Yes Yes


            • 13 Rejection Decision

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Director

              Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

              Description Where the conditions are not met, a decision rejecting the request for recognition of the Greek nationality shall be issued.

              Yes No


            • 14 Notification of a Rejective Decision

              Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee

              Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

              Description A copy of the rejection decision shall be communicated to the applicant and to all stakeholders.

              Yes Yes


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