Surinamese nationality law is regulated by the 1987 Constitution, the Allocation Agreement of 1975, and the 2014 Surinamese Nationality Law. It is highly influenced by Dutch law. These statutes determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Suriname. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal membership in a nation, differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Surinamese nationality is typically obtained either under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. birth to at least one parent with Surinamese nationality; or on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Suriname. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Suriname for a given period of time or by presidential decree through naturalization.
Acquiring Surinamese nationality
Surinamese may acquire nationality through birth or naturalization. Upon finalization of adoption of a minor by the courts, a child automatically becomes Surinamese. A special procedure, known as "option", is provided to facilitate acquisition of nationality for those who have lost their Surinamese nationality through marriage or renunciation.
By birth right
Those born, who are legitimate or have been formally legitimized, to at least one Surinamese parent. Those born within the territory of Suriname, including foundlings of unknown parentage, except children who may have been granted another nationality at birth. An exception in the law grants automatic nationality for those who were born in and had an established domicile in Suriname at the time of independence in 1975. Those who are adopted as minors in an international adoption which conforms to the established procedures, or those adopted within the country, automatically become nationals upon finalization of the adoption.
By naturalization
There are three categories of naturalization in Suriname: general, state interest, and option.
General naturalization
Applicants must pay fees to naturalize and must produce evidence that if naturalization produced dual nationality that it is not prohibited by the other affiliation. The Department of Alien Affairs () processes applications of naturalization. After obtaining an admission visa for approved long-term stay, applicants must register in the Civil Registry. Naturalization is granted by a legislative Act. Those eligible for general naturalization include:
Persons who have previously lost Surinamese nationality; Foreigners who have established a five-year domicile in Suriname; or Persons who were born to parents who were stateless or had unknown nationality.
State interest
Those who apply for naturalization under this category are exempt from application fees and residency requirements. They have ties to Suriname which are beneficial to the nation and are required to demonstrate Naturalization is typically granted by legislative Act; however, in some instances applicants in this category can be approved by presidential decree. To qualify for naturalization by presidential decree, applicants must demonstrate that they are of the age of majority; domiciled in Suriname; have renounced or are willing to renounce any other nationality; and that they are not a threat to "public order, morals, and health, or to the safety of the State". Those who are eligible under presidential decree include:
A Surinamese mother who wishes to obtain nationality for minor children born from a prior marriage, to a deceased father, or for whom the father is unknown, who has domiciled in Suriname for a minimum of one year; Foreign or stateless persons born in Suriname; Foreign or stateless persons who were previously Surinamese nationals; Foreign or stateless persons born abroad to at least one parent who was a birthright national of Suriname; or Persons who reside in Suriname and are classified as a "Person of Surinamese Origin" (), meaning they do not have Surinamese nationality but at least one of their parents or grandparents were born in Suriname.
Option
Certain persons who do not have, or have lost Surinamese nationality, may reacquire it by making a declaration to authorities under the processes described in law. Those eligible for this process include: