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In depth
Opción (option) is the Argentine citizenship path for children of Argentine nationals, allowing them to 'opt' for Argentine citizenship by declaration. It is an administrative process, distinct from naturalization.
Under Argentine law, children of Argentine citizens born abroad can opt for Argentine citizenship at any age. The opción is filed with the federal court (Cámara Nacional Electoral) and is typically granted within 9-18 months.
Spain also has an opción path for children of Spaniards who acquired citizenship by option under the 2007 Memory Law. Grandchildren of Spanish exiles can also apply through a similar option process under the 2022 Memory Law.
Related terms
The Ley de Memoria Democrática (Democratic Memory Law, 2022) is the Spanish law that opened citizenship to descendants of Civil War and Franco-era exiles.
The Ley de Memoria Histórica (Historical Memory Law, 2007) was the predecessor Spanish law granting citizenship to descendants of Civil War exiles, replaced by the 2022 Democratic Memory Law.
The Registro Civil is the civil registry in Spain and Latin American countries that maintains records of births, marriages, and deaths.
The Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice) is the Spanish government ministry that processes citizenship applications under the Memory Law.
Sephardic citizenship is the Portuguese (and formerly Spanish) path to citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition.
The Inquisição (Portuguese Inquisition, 1536-1821) was the persecution that expelled Sephardic Jews from Portugal, whose descendants are eligible for Portuguese citizenship.