Trinidadian and Tobagonian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Trinidad and Tobago or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to parents with Trinidadian and Tobagonian nationality.

Trinidadian and Tobagonian is acquired through birth, registration, or naturalization.

By birth

• Persons who are born within the territory, except if the foreign parents have diplomatic immunity; or
• Persons who are born abroad to at least one parent who was born in Trinidad and Tobago.

By registration

Nationality by registration includes those who have familial or historic relationship affiliations with Trinidad and Tobago.

Persons who acquire nationality by registration include:

• Commonwealth nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, or British Protected Persons, after five years of residence in the territory;
• Foreign spouses of Trinidadian and Tobagoan nationals who have renounced previous nationality;
• Minors under age of eighteen who are legally adopted by a national of Trinidad and Tobago; or
• Any minor at the discretion of the Minister responsible for immigration.

By naturalization

Ordinary naturalization in Trinidad and Tobago can be obtained by adult persons of legal capacity, who in the 12 months prior to submitting an application resided in the territory, are of good character, and intend to be a resident of Trinidad and Tobago.Applicants petition the Minister responsible for immigration, who considers whether the applicant has adequate knowledge of the English language; and has resided within the territory, worked for the government, or has combined residency and government service for eight years. Upon approval, applicants must take an Oath of Allegiance and may be required to renounce their citizenship of origin.

APPLICANT INFORMATION FOR CITIZENS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BY DESCENT

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• A Birth Certificate issued by your country of birth / origin  Certificate must clearly show your date of birth, your full name and the correct names of your parents. Any incomplete or incorrect information must be corrected by an affidavit or an amendment done by the relevant authority BEFORE your application for a passport is submitted. An official translation must accompany the original document if it is not in English.
  
• Official Translation of Documents in English  Any supporting document that is not written in English MUST be accompanied by an Official translation done by a Registered Translator. C. Last Issued Trinidad and Tobago passport ( if previously issued)  If you do not possess your last issued Trinidad and Tobago passport, then you must complete a Notification for a mutilated, lost or stolen passport and attach this to your application for a machine readable passport. 
• For Residents of Canada: Permanent Resident Card / Landing Document (Two colored copies required) 
• Documentation showing your parent’s citizenship from Trinidad and Tobago  As an applicant who is a citizen by descent, your parent MUST be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago (other than by descent). You must produce the Trinidad and Tobago passport, birth certificate and any affidavits (if applicable), marriage certificate (s), divorce certificate(s) and restoration certificate if applicable of YOUR PARENT. Please submit two (2) clear colored copies of ALL documents for Each Applicant.  Please ensure that the information on your birth certificate and your parent’s birth certificate is as accurate and consistent with your knowledge. The information on the corresponding documents, i.e. passport, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, restoration certificate, death certificate must also be correct and consistent. 
• For Citizens of other countries:  Evidence of the full date (day, month and year) of acquisition of Citizenship. An official Citizenship certificate or document from the respective country.  Your most recent passport from the respective country of citizenship. G. Marriage Certificates / Divorce Certificates and Spouse Death Certificates (Relevant ONLY to WOMEN applicants)  ALL previous and current marriage certificates must be provided. These must bear the Registrar General’s seal. Please note that marriage licenses / church issued certificates are NOT accepted. For Canadian Marriage Certificates, only the detailed long certificate is accepted.  You must provide ALL previous Divorce Certificates (Decrees Absolute) from the court.  For female applicants who are widowed, they must provide the death certificate of their spouse.

Loss of nationality

Nationals may voluntarily renounce their affiliation with Trinidad and Tobago, if the declarant is a legal adult and of full capacity. Renunciation may not be accepted if the country is in a war with the proposed new source of nationality. Denaturalisation may occur if a person obtained nationality through fraud, false representation, or concealment or in the case of a naturalized person, they have dual nationality.

Dual nationality

Dual nationality in Trinidad and Tobago has been recognized since 29 July 1988, for nationals by birth.