Derivative acquisition by a minor of an acquirer (descent-by-application; age-14 consent gate, Art 13(1))
Citizenship in Georgia
- Eligibility
- Derivative acquisition by a minor is the by-application alternative to acquisition by birth: a minor who did NOT acquire Georgian citizenship at birth is granted it under the regular procedure where one of his/her parents holds (or acquires) Georgian citizenship (Art 13(1)). The signature CBN rule is the age-14 consent gate — the citizenship of a minor aged 14 or older may be changed (other than loss) ONLY with that minor's own consent (Art 6), so derivative or adoptive acquisition for a 14–17-year-old requires their consent. Derivative acquisition can also occur by joinder: when a former citizen is granted citizenship by restoration under the temporary Art 32-2 window, citizenship is also granted to his/her accompanying minor child on the same terms.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
Derivative acquisition by a minor is the by-application alternative to acquisition by birth: a minor who did NOT acquire Georgian citizenship at birth is granted it under the regular procedure where one of his/her parents holds (or acquires) Georgian citizenship (Art 13(1)). The signature CBN rule is the age-14 consent gate — the citizenship of a minor aged 14 or older may be changed (other than loss) ONLY with that minor's own consent (Art 6), so derivative or adoptive acquisition for a 14–17-year-old requires their consent. Derivative acquisition can also occur by joinder: when a former citizen is granted citizenship by restoration under the temporary Art 32-2 window, citizenship is also granted to his/her accompanying minor child on the same terms.
Who qualifies
- Derivative acquisition by a minor (descent-by-application alternative to by-birth): a minor who has NOT acquired citizenship by birth is granted citizenship under regular procedure if one of his/her parents is a citizen of Georgia (Art 13(1)) — captures children of a parent who becomes/is a Georgian citizen but where the by-birth Art 10(a) ground did not attach.
Requirements
- Age-14 consent gate (SIGNATURE CBN rule): the citizenship of a minor aged 14 or older may be changed (other than loss) ONLY with that minor's own consent — derivative/adoptive acquisition for a 14-17 year-old requires the child's consent in addition to the parent's application. - Minor applications are filed through legal representatives: a minor submits applications on citizenship issues through his/her legal representative (consistent with the Art 6 parent-application + 14+ consent framework). - Adoption/derivative grant excludes Art 12 adult-naturalisation conditions: a minor under Art 13 (adoption Art 13(2); parent-citizen Art 13(1)) is granted citizenship under regular procedure WITHOUT the Art 12(1) adult thresholds (10-year residence, language/history/law exam, livelihood) — Art 13 is a self-contained minors' track.
How to apply
- Accompanying derivative acquisition on a parent's restoration: when a former citizen is granted citizenship by way of restoration under the temporary Art 32-2 window, citizenship is ALSO granted to his/her minor child; a child aged 14+ is granted on the basis of his/her own consent.
Timeline
Timeline: standard. Document burden: medium. Required: none of residency/language/presence/renunciation.
Legal basis
Primary statute: Organic Law Art 13(1) (minor not acquiring by birth, granted by application); Art 6 (age-14 consent for any change except loss). Operative 2014-05-27–present. Authority: Public Service Development Agency (PSDA); President of Georgia (grant/loss decree).
Example scenarios
Mariam (minor of a naturalised parent) · age 6 · nationality: Russian
Conditional
Art 13(1) derivative acquisition: a minor who has NOT acquired citizenship by birth is granted citizenship under regular procedure if one of his/her parents is a Georgian citizen. The grant is by the parent's application (Art 6(1)/Art 22(2)) and Presidential decree, not automatic - hence conditional. The self-contained minors' track does not require the Art 12 adult thresholds.
Saba (14-year-old, refuses consent) · age 14 · nationality: Russian
Not eligible
Age-14 consent gate (Art 6(2), the signature CBN rule): the citizenship of a minor aged 14+ may be changed (other than loss) ONLY with that minor's own consent. Because the 14-year-old withholds consent, the derivative acquisition cannot proceed despite the parent's application.
Ana (14-year-old, consents) · age 14 · nationality: Ukrainian
Conditional
Art 13(1) derivative acquisition with the Art 6(2) consent gate satisfied: a 14+ minor's citizenship change requires her own consent, which she gives, in addition to the parent's application. The grant remains conditional on the Presidential decree (the change is by grant under regular procedure, not automatic).
Davit (accompanying a restoring parent) · age 10 · nationality: German
Conditional
Art 32-2(5) accompanying derivative acquisition: when a former citizen is granted citizenship by restoration under the Art 32-2 window, citizenship is ALSO granted to his/her minor child (a 14+ child on his/her own consent). As the child is under 14, no separate consent is required; the grant is conditional on the parent's successful restoration within the window (sunset 1 Jan 2027).
Sopo (beneficiary of support, 16) · age 16 · nationality: Armenian
Conditional
Art 6(3) beneficiary-of-support gate: the citizenship of a beneficiary of support (including a 14+ minor who is a beneficiary of support) may be changed only by the supporter's consent, unless a court decision provides otherwise (and applications are submitted through the supporter, Art 22(2-1)). The Art 13(1) derivative grant is conditional on the supporter's consent and the Presidential decree.
Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-06-25.
Track changes to this route
Descent and naturalization rules change. We'll email you in plain English when anything affecting Georgia updates — no spam.