Uruguayan Dual Citizenship in the U.S. — 2026 Guide

Uruguay reaches further than most countries in this directory. Under Law 16.021 the children of natural Uruguayan citizens born abroad are Uruguayan nationals, and under Law 19.362 so are the grandchildren. A person born in the United States to at least one natural Uruguayan parent or grandparent is considered a Uruguayan national.

Quick facts

The consulates confirm that identity cards are issued to children under Law 16.021 and to grandchildren under Law 19.362, which means the grandchild route produces real documents and not merely a recognised status.

What each route requires

One limitation is stated plainly: no first-time identity cards or renewals are issued to legal residents at these posts. The service is for nationals and for legal citizens holding the original citizenship document.

How to apply

1. Establish whether you qualify as a child or a grandchild.
2. Order your apostilled U.S. birth certificate.
3. For a grandchild, obtain the grandparent’s Uruguayan birth certificate and the parent’s apostilled certificate.
4. Check that the transmitting relative’s Uruguayan document is available.
5. Email the consulate the form and scans, then attend the appointment.
6. Apply for the identity card and then the first passport.

Required documents

• Apostilled birth certificate of the person registering.
• Spanish translation by an accepted translator.
• Transmitting parent’s Uruguayan passport or identity card.
• Grandparent’s Uruguayan birth certificate for the grandchild route.
• Parent’s apostilled birth certificate for the grandchild route.
• Two witnesses where a minor is registered.

Where to apply

At the consulate whose jurisdiction covers the state of birth.

Additional notes

The grandchild route is unusual

Few countries extend nationality to grandchildren born abroad as a matter of law. If a grandparent was a natural Uruguayan citizen, it is worth investigating properly.

Build the chain

Grandchild files need three generations of documents. Start gathering them before booking anything.

Then the passport

The first passport as a natural citizen costs $72 and needs a Uruguayan birth certificate under 30 days old, which the consulate can request with 20 days’ notice.

Travel documents

Dual nationals enter and leave Uruguay on the Uruguayan passport and the United States on the U.S. one.