Cypriot Citizenship by Descent

Cyprus doesn't limit citizenship of origin to children of current citizens. Form M123 is open to adults born on or after 16 August 1960 who descend from a person who either became a British subject under the Annexation of Cyprus Orders of 1914 to 1943, or was born in Cyprus between 5 November 1914 and 16 August 1960 while their parents were habitually resident there. The fee is €50, and the application is submitted in two copies, signed before a Cypriot consular officer or a court registrar in Cyprus.

That covers a large share of the post-war Cypriot diaspora: the grandchildren of Cypriots who emigrated to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s, for example, can apply in their own right rather than waiting for a parent to register first.

If a parent was a Cypriot citizen when you were born abroad after 16 August 1960, you register on Form M121 (a consular birth registration), for €20. Minors whose parent became a Cypriot citizen after their birth use Form M126 instead.

People born before 16 August 1960 who are of Cypriot descent through the male line apply on Form M71 (if they're citizens of the UK and colonies) or M72 (if not), for €20 plus a €1.71 stamp. Form M124 (€80) covers adults of Cypriot origin who are UK or Commonwealth citizens and have lived in Cyprus for 12 months.

Every foreign document must be officially translated and certified. Start with the Cypriot ancestor's birth or baptism record — parish registers of the Church of Cyprus often fill gaps in civil records — and then the birth and marriage certificates for each generation down to you. Records from areas not under the control of the Republic can be difficult to obtain; family documents and British colonial-era records can help.

1. Find your Cypriot ancestor's birth record and confirm they were born in Cyprus between 5 November 1914 and 16 August 1960 with parents living there (or became a British subject under the annexation orders). 2. Collect birth and marriage certificates for every generation down to you. 3. Have foreign documents officially translated and certified. 4. Fill in Form M123 in two copies and sign it before a Cypriot consular officer or a court registrar in Cyprus. 5. Pay the €50 fee. On approval you receive two citizenship certificates and can apply for a Cypriot ID card and passport.

Maria was born in London in 1985. Her grandfather was born in Limassol in 1932, when his parents lived there, and emigrated to the UK in 1956. Maria can apply directly on Form M123 (€50), with her grandfather's Cypriot birth record and the birth certificates linking him to her.

Andreas was born in Australia in 1990 to a father who held Cypriot citizenship. He registers on Form M121 (€20) as the child of a Cypriot citizen.