Part 3: Courts Nº9–11 | Argentina Citizenship Process Explained
Details faster courts with bulk processing but strict migration checks.
– Court Nº9: Strict on migration presence; timelines vary by secretariat.
– Court Nº10: Efficient bulk processing; migration checks at the final stage.
– Court Nº11: Starts fast but slows in the final steps; follow-ups are critical.
Court Nº9 (Juzgado Nº 9): Migration Checks and Secretariat Variability
Secretariats 17 and 18: Differences and Processes
Although both 17th and 18th secretariats are considered part of The Court Nº9, which is one of the fastest courts, there are noticeable differences between the two in terms of processing times and requirements.
Speed of Processing
–17th Secretariat: The process here tends to be slower because only one person handles cases. Expect delays, especially at specific stages. Therefore, if you’re applying for Argentina citizenship by marriage or by Argentina permanent residency, you may face longer processing times here, because the timeline may extend due to migration status checks.
– 18th Secretariat: With a team of three handling citizenship cases, the process moves significantly faster than the 17th Secretariat. If you’re immigrating to Argentina under programs like the Argentina investment visa or Argentina rentista visa, this could be a more efficient option. Processing times here are typically shorter, but still require careful attention to migration checks.
Key Requirements
1. 17th Secretariat:
– They check your migration status twice: once at the beginning and once at the end of the process.
– By the end of the process, you must have a valid precaria or DNI (residency documentation).
– If migration records indicate you’ve left the country, they may request a new migration status check, potentially halting your case. Argentina citizenship by birthright is accepted, but those applying through Argentina permanent residency or Argentina citizenship by marriage may face additional requirements.
– Previously, they would allow you to provide confirmation of presence in the country and issue citizenship. However, now, if you’re not in Argentina at the time of the final check, your case is denied outright.
2. 18th Secretariat:
While they used to request confirmation from local police to verify your residence, this requirement has been removed for new cases. However, for older cases, those who were previously subject to this rule must still comply.
They also perform a migration status check. If records show you’ve been out of Argentina for more than 5–6 months, your case will be denied. This is especially important for those applying under Argentina residency by investment or Argentina citizenship by naturalization, as maintaining residence is crucial.
Unique Challenges
– The 17th Secretariat is stricter about migration checks towards the end of the process. If there’s any issue with your residency status, your case might get stuck or outright denied. If you’re seeking Argentina citizenship by marriage, maintaining the proper residency status is critical. As a result, delays may be expected, especially if you’re trying to obtain Argentina citizenship or Argentina passport by marriage without Residency status.
– The 18th Secretariat, while quicker, also strictly enforces migration checks. They deny cases for prolonged absences from the country (5–6 months), ensuring applicants maintain physical presence in Argentina. This is especially important for those applying under the Family reunification visa Argentina or Argentina temporary residency programs.
Timelines for Processing Argentina Citizenship at Court Nº9
– 17th Secretariat:
– Waiting for fingerprinting instructions can take up to five months.
– Total time to citizenship is often over two years.
– Frequent follow-ups and reminders are crucial to avoid unnecessary delays.
– 18th Secretariat:
– Fingerprinting instructions are generally issued within 3–4 months.
– While slightly faster, the process still requires attention to detail to avoid issues with migration checks. You may want to consult an Argentina immigration lawyer to expedite the process, especially if you’re applying through routes like Argentina investor visa or Argentina rentista visa.
Role of Lawyers
Hiring a specialized Argentinian immigration lawyer with significant experience in federal citizenship cases can save you time and stress:
– 17th Secretariat: Working with a lawyer can reduce processing times by up to nine months.
– Lawyers know how to navigate the process, avoid unnecessary pitfalls, and expedite communications with various institutions. If you’re applying for Argentina citizenship by marriage, a lawyer will ensure all necessary documentation is submitted correctly and promptly.
– Argentinian immigration lawyer can anticipate potential issues and implement strategies to keep the process moving smoothly.
Conclusion
Both secretariats are part of the “faster courts,” but the 17th Secretariat requires more patience and persistence due to slower internal processes. The 18th Secretariat offers a quicker process but has strict enforcement of migration presence rules. For either secretariat, whether you’re pursuing Argentina citizenship by birth, Argentina citizenship by naturalization, or a Family reunification visa Argentina, having an experienced lawyer by your side can make a significant difference, ensuring that your case is handled efficiently and with minimal risk of denial.
Court Nº10 (Juzgado Nº 10): Efficient Bulk Processing with Final Stage Checks
Differences Between the 19th and 20th Secretariats
The 19th Secretariat is actually a bit slower than the 20th, although both secretariats essentially have the same processing points, and the process starts off relatively smoothly. They request everything except for conventions, which makes the overall wait time for Argentina citizenship quite fast. You can usually expect citizenship in Argentina in about a year. If you stay on top of things and remind them regularly, it’s possible to receive citizenship in as little as 9 months.
For those interested in Argentina citizenship by marriage or Argentina citizenship by naturalization, this process can be smooth, though timely reminders and proactive actions will help speed things up.
Changes in the 10th Court
The 10th court has unfortunately started following the same trend and now also asks for migration checks at the very end of the process. While this court has the advantage of processing a large number of cases—sometimes issuing oaths for 100 to 200 people at a time every Thursday—they too have begun complicating things with migration checks.
However, despite these changes, they still process Argentina citizenship cases in bulk. The court issues directions within about three to four weeks, and the only place you’ll need to visit is the federal police to give your fingerprints. You won’t need to go to the criminal record registry, as they handle that request directly.
A common issue is that sometimes the RNR (National Registry of Persons) makes mistakes, and you might have to request it again. If you’re working with an Argentina immigration lawyer, we’ll handle this quickly, ensuring everything gets submitted properly. Without a lawyer, there’s a higher risk of your case getting lost or delayed. Lawyers play a crucial role in overseeing the court’s actions to ensure nothing is missed.
Once all the necessary responses from institutions are in, you’ll ask the court to send your case to the prosecutor. The response from the prosecutor typically arrives in 10-13 days. After this, the court will request that you provide all the original documents, including:
– Birth certificate
– Certificate of no criminal record
– Marriage certificate (if applicable)
– Proof of income
Once all documents are verified, the court will make a final decision. On average, the time to receive a final judgment is between 40 to 90 days.
Challenges with the Physical-to-Electronic Process Transition
In my recent experience with one of my cases, when opening the system interface, it was blank. This meant you had to physically visit the court to stand in line and request that they upload the necessary directions. It’s one of those courts with long lines every day. Once you’re there, you can either ask them to print it for you or upload it into the system so you can print it yourself and continue with the process (e.g., submitting your fingerprints to the Federal Police, INTERPOL, etc.).
The transition from physical to electronic case management for citizenship is still uncertain. If the court continues to operate like the first, third, sixth, or eleventh courts, then it’s likely that directions from RNP or INTERPOL can only be retrieved by the lawyer, or it’ll require another request, which could take a lot of time. We’ll have to wait and see how things evolve.
Timeframes
You should be aware that it’s possible to complete the process in 6 months, or it could stretch out to 2 years. If you’re working with a lawyer who constantly files complaints or requests to speed up the process, you could save a significant amount of time, potentially cutting it down by 6-8 months.
For those interested in Argentina Citizenship by investment or Argentina citizenship by birth, staying proactive will help ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps.
In conclusion, if you’re proactive and keep reminding the court or working with an attorney who pushes for quicker processing, you can potentially speed up your case significantly. Whether you’re looking for Argentina citizenship by birth, Argentina passport by marriage, or how to immigrate to Argentina, staying on top of your case and engaging an immigration lawyer can make a huge difference in achieving your goals.
The process can involve similar steps whether you apply through Argentina citizenship by birth, birth tourism in Argentina, setting up a company in Argentina, or Argentina permanent residency by marriage, as long as you stay consistent.
Court Nº11 (Juzgado Nº 11): Starts Fast but Requires Patience in Final Steps
The Eleventh Court offers a very promising perspective for processing cases. In about five months, you can complete the entire process. They issue directions quickly and don’t request anything extraordinary in the beginning. Everything generally proceeds smoothly. However, once you have received all the necessary responses, and you write to the judge requesting your case be sent to the prosecutor, the process can be delayed further.
The period between sending the case to the prosecutor and when the prosecutor actually receives it can take another four months. Plus, it’s important to understand that the prosecutor’s response may take another month. After that, the court’s final decision might take 3-4 months. Therefore, although it initially seems like the process will be finished in 4-5 months, it can actually extend by another year or so.
So, while you’re waiting for a response from the 11th Court to become an Argentina citizen, don’t be alarmed by the court’s responses. The secretary might frequently write that a request was made incorrectly, even in relation to migration responses. This is a good time to consult with an Argentina immigration lawyer who can help manage the expectations and paperwork.
Patience is key here. What’s also changed is that now, at the end of the process, the court requires migration requests to confirm whether you are in the country or not. This change is partly due to a situation where, at one of the swearing-in ceremonies, only 2 out of 10 people showed up, which understandably created frustration.
Main Change in Argentina Citizenship Process at this Court
Previously, document verification occurred directly during the swearing-in ceremony. Now, however, the verification happens in advance, which further stretches the process. After the verification, the court will issue a decision, and only then will the swearing-in ceremony take place. This has made the process slightly more complicated than it was before.
Final Steps in the 11th Court
Before the case is sent to the prosecutor, you’ll need to provide:
– A new certificate of no criminal record, regardless of whether you’ve already submitted one.
– A new income certificate.
– Your migration status, which could either be precarious or DNI (Document of Nationality). For those applying for Argentina Citizenship under a family reunification, or applying for Argentina citizenship by marriage, it’s important to be aware of these changes, as they may require residency status as well. If you’re immigrating to Argentina the process might seem slow but consistent.
Once you have these documents ready, you can request that your case be sent to the prosecutor. However, this process can still take more than three months.
Patience is Key in Immigration to Argentina
So, remember to be patient, and make sure to follow up regularly by visiting the court to remind them of your case. The process can be longer than expected, but persistence and consistency will help move things along.
Conclusion: Successfully Achieving Argentine Citizenship: Key Steps for a Smooth Journey
Obtaining Argentine citizenship is a journey that requires patience, thorough preparation, and attention to detail. By understanding the intricacies of the Argentina immigration process, knowing the requirements of each court, and adhering to timelines, you can navigate the citizenship path more efficiently. Whether you’re pursuing Argentina citizenship by marriage, naturalization, staying proactive and engaging an Argentina immigration lawyer can help prevent delays and simplify the process. With the right legal support and consistent follow-ups, transitioning to life in Argentina and securing your Argentina permanent residency or citizenship can be a smooth and rewarding experience. Start planning today and take the first step toward building your future in this beautiful and welcoming country!