How Long Does It Take To Get Citizenship In Ghana

By | February 1, 2023
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How long does it take to get citizenship in Ghana?

Getting citizenship in Ghana does not take very long compared to other countries in the world. Citizenship in Ghana can be acquired through registration, birth, marriage, neutralization, and others.

How long does it take to get citizenship in Ghana?

To officially get citizenship in Ghana, the forms filled out by an applicant get processed by the Ministry of Interior within a time frame of 8 months after the forms have been duly completed.

After successful processing, applicants get a citizenship Certificate and a national ID that proves he/she is now a Ghanaian.

Requirements for registering as a Ghanaian citizen

Note: Applicant should reside in the country for at least Five (5) years

  • Purchase of Naturalization Form (Form 5) at the Ministry of the Interior
  • Copy of Passport (Bio Data Page)
  • Current OR Indefinite Residence Permit page
  • Copy of (Spouse) Ghanaian Passport (Bio-data page)
  • Consent letter from Spouse
  • Copy of marriage Certificate
  • Naturalization Certificate (if spouse is a naturalized Ghanaian)
  • A citizen of age and capacity of any approved country may upon an application, and with the approval of the President be registered as a citizen of Ghana if he satisfies the Minister that;
  1. He/she is of good character,
  2. He is ordinarily residence in Ghana
  3. He/She has been resident throughout the period of five years or such shorter period as the Minister may in the special circumstances of any particular case accept, immediately before the application,
  4. He/She can speak and understand an indigenous language of Ghana.
  • Application letter addressed to the Hon. Minister, Ministry of the Interior, P.O. BOX M42, Accra
  • Attach Four (4) Passports Sized photographs with white background.

Fees & Charges

Application Form 3 – GH₵3,000

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Naturalization as a Ghanaian Citizen Requirements

  • Purchase of Naturalization Form (Form 5) at the Ministry of the Interior
  • An application letter addressed to the Minister for the interior applying for Naturalization as a citizen of Ghana.
  • Copy of Residence permit (current page) or Indefinite residence permit
  • Copy of Certificate to commence business, Company Code, Certificate of incorporation, Audited Accounts, Tax clearance certificate (currently), SSNIT (Current),
  • Copy of landed property (indenture)
  • A copy of passport (Bio Data Page)
  • Four (4) passport size photographs with white background
  • Subject to subsection (2) of section 14 of the Citizenship Act 2000, a person qualifies for naturalization if:
  1. He has resided in Ghana throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application,
  2. during the seven years immediately preceding the period of twelve months, he has resided in Ghana for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years
  3. He is of good character as attested to in writing by two Ghanaians being notaries public, lawyers or senior public officers
  4. He has not been sentenced to any period of imprisonment in Ghana or anywhere for an offence recognized by law in Ghana
  5. He is able to speak and understand an indigenous Ghanaian language
  6. He is a person who has made or who is capable of making a substantial contribution to the progress or advancement in any area of national activity
  7. He is a person who has been assimilated into the Ghanaian way of life or who can easily be so assimilated
  8. He intends to reside permanently in Ghana in the event of a certificate being granted to him
  9. He possessed a valid residence Permit on the date of his application

Time Frame

Six (6) Months (Upon receipt of duly completed forms)

Fees & Charges

Naturalization Form 5 – GH₵6,000

Does Ghana accept dual citizenship?

Yes, Ghana accepts dual citizenship/ nationality and if you wish to apply for dual citizenship below are the procedures:

• Write an application for registration as a dual citizen, addressed to the Honourable Minister of interior.

• Purchase a Dual citizenship Form 10 at the Ministry of interior or our Diplomatic Missions Abroad.

Attachment to the Form 10

• Copies of bio-data of both Ghanaian and foreign passports.

• Four (4) recent passport-sized photographs.

• Copy of naturalization certificate from a foreign country.

In the case of local applications

• Payment of processing fee (to be paid after the process has been completed).

Please Note

For children born outside Ghana, the following are also required:

• Copy of Birth Certificate

• Copy of Ghanaian parent’s passport

• Copy of bio-data page of the child’s Ghanaian and foreign passport

Replacement of dual citizenship cards

• Application letter

• Police report

• Photocopy of dual Citizenship card/certificate

• Payment of processing fee

• Two (2) recent passport-sized photographs.

Time Frame

One (1) Month (After receipt of the duly completed form)

Please Note

In cases where the application does not meet the requirement, the application is sent back to the applicant to meet all the requirements. If this happens, the process has to begin all over again.

Fees & Charges

• Dual Citizenship Application Form 10 – GH₵500.00

• Processing Fee – GH₵100.00 (to be paid after the processing has been completed).