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Citizenship by Marriage or Former Marriage Registration

GambiaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Gambia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A person married to a Gambian citizen who has been ordinarily resident in The Gambia for at least seven years since the marriage, or a person formerly married to someone who was a Gambian citizen during the marriage and who, since the marriage ended (annulment, divorce or death), has been ordinarily resident in The Gambia for at least seven years, is entitled on application to be registered as a citizen.

See recorded sources
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    (a) Is married to a citizen of The Gambia and, since the marriage, has been ordinarily resident in The Gambia for a period of not less than seven years ; or
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    (b) Has been married to another person who was, during the subsistence of the marriage a citizen of The Gambia and, since the end of the marriage (whether by annulment, divorce or death), has been ordinarily resident in the Gambia for a period of not less than seven years, shall be entitled, upon making application in such manner as may be prescribed by or under an Act of the National Assembly, to be registered as a citizen of The Gambia".

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm who may sponsor the family member and the status the sponsor must hold.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Not established: the correction failed a second independent check (NAO_SUSTENTA: C1 says the non-Gambian partner may apply in a prescribed manner; 'there is no separate sponsor' and 'personally' are not in any citation.)

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Marriage certificates (where applicable) and birth certificates of the spouse and children must be produced with the naturalisation/registration application.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No other proof of genuine or subsisting marriage is described.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance requirements.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Searched for financial, accommodation or maintenance requirements for registration by marriage; none stated.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Application is by registration: the applicant produces permit copies, alien cards and other documents, a '19 questions form' completed by two responsible persons who know the applicant, FORM 20, a written life history, 4 passport photographs and a police certificate of character. The result is Gambian citizenship, which, when acquired other than by birth or descent, can be revoked by the Minister of Interior for disloyalty or continued enjoyment of rights of another country.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Processing time and fees are not published.
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    * Documents such as permit copies, alien cards and other requirements as the case may be shall be producedfor verification and evidence based proof; * The **19 questions form** shall be completed by two responsible person(s) who knows and have knowledge about the applicant’s behavior, conduct, attitude and other antecedents; * A form otherwise known as the **FORM 20** shall be filled and returned;
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    * A written narrative detailing the account of the applicant’s “**LIFE HISTORY****”****shall be completed;** * 4 passport size photographs;
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    * Certificate of character issued by the Inspector General of Police
  • https://gid.gov.gm/citizenship/
    It is instructive to note that, having acquired citizenship in any other forms order than by birth or descent, means that such status can be revoked by the Minister of Interior on the evidence that a person who is granted with citizenship through naturalization has ceased being loyal and showing allegiance to the Republic or where he is considered by evidence that he or she still continues to enjoy those rights and privileges vested on him or her in his or her country of aboard.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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