Macedonian Citizenship by Origin — How Your Child Gets Citizenship
If at least one parent is a Macedonian citizen, your child may be entitled to citizenship by origin — the most direct and automatic path to a North Macedonian passport.
The Principle of Jus Sanguinis in North Macedonian Law
Macedonian citizenship is based primarily on jus sanguinis — the legal principle of "right of blood." Under Articles 4 and 5 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of North Macedonia, citizenship passes from parent to child by descent, regardless of where the child is born. A child born in Australia, the United States, or anywhere else in the world to a Macedonian parent has the same right to citizenship as a child born in Skopje.
This is the most fundamental and automatic pathway to Macedonian citizenship. If both parents are Macedonian citizens, the child acquires citizenship at birth with no application required. If only one parent is Macedonian, a registration step is required — but the right to citizenship exists from birth.
Citizenship by origin is permanent and hereditary. Once your child is registered as a Macedonian citizen, they can pass citizenship to their own children in turn. There is no expiry, no condition of residence, and no requirement to visit or live in North Macedonia to maintain citizenship.
When Your Child Automatically Gets Macedonian Citizenship
Both parents are Macedonian citizens
Child automatically acquires Macedonian citizenship at birth, anywhere in the world. No application is needed — registration with the civil registry formalizes the existing citizenship.
One parent Macedonian, child born in North Macedonia
Citizenship is acquired provided the non-Macedonian parent consents. If parents cannot agree, the child may receive the other parent's citizenship — unless the non-Macedonian parent is unknown, stateless, or of unknown citizenship, in which case the child receives Macedonian citizenship.
One parent Macedonian, other parent unknown or stateless
Child acquires Macedonian citizenship automatically, regardless of where they are born. No consent from the other parent is required because that parent cannot be identified or does not hold citizenship.
Children Born Abroad to One Macedonian Parent
If one parent is Macedonian and the other is a foreign citizen, and the child is born abroad, the child can still acquire Macedonian citizenship in any of the following circumstances:
- •The Macedonian parent registers the child before age 18 at the civil registry office or Macedonian embassy
- •The child permanently settles in North Macedonia with the Macedonian parent before turning 18
- •The child self-registers between the ages of 18 and 23 (before the registration window closes)
Civil registry office (матична служба) in the municipality of the Macedonian parent's residence in North Macedonia, or at the nearest Macedonian embassy or consulate abroad.
Adopted Children
Fully adopted children acquire citizenship by origin under the same rules as biological children. If at least one adoptive parent is a Macedonian citizen at the time of adoption, the child qualifies for citizenship by origin upon registration.
Foundlings
Children found in North Macedonia with unknown parents acquire citizenship by birth on Macedonian territory. This citizenship ceases before age 15 if the child's parents are subsequently found to be foreign citizens — but only if the cessation would not leave the child stateless.
Required Documents for Citizenship by Origin
- •Application form (issued free of charge at the civil registry office or embassy)
- •Child's birth certificate (international form or certified Macedonian translation)
- •Proof of Macedonian citizenship of parent(s) — citizenship certificate or passport
- •Consent form from non-Macedonian parent, where applicable (form issued free of charge)
- •ID card or passport of the applying parent or guardian
- •Power of attorney if the application is filed by a legal representative
Step-by-Step: Registering a Child Born Abroad
- 1
Report the birth at the nearest Macedonian embassy or consulate as soon as possible after birth
- 2
Submit an application for enrollment in both the birth registry and the citizenship registry of North Macedonia
- 3
File at the civil registry office in the municipality of the Macedonian parent's registration, or at the embassy
- 4
Complete registration before the child turns 18 (or the child can self-register between ages 18–23)
Not yet a Macedonian citizen yourself but have Macedonian parents? You may qualify for citizenship by descent under the emigrant pathway. →