Q: How can children born overseas to Taiwanese citizens apply for household registration in Taiwan?
A:
★ For Minor Children
If an overseas newborn wishes to obtain household registration in Taiwan, parents should apply at the Taiwan representative office abroad for verification of the child&rsquos birth certificate in both the original foreign language and Chinese translation, as well as verification of the foreign-language immunization record. The child may enter Taiwan using a foreign passport (or apply for a Taiwan passport without a National ID number from the Taiwan representative office abroad). After arriving in Taiwan, parents must apply for a residence certificate at the National Immigration Agency's (NIA) service station in the respective municipality or county. Processing the residence certificate takes seven working days (excluding holidays and mailing time). Only after obtaining the residence certificate can parents proceed to the household registration office to complete household registration.

If the parents were married abroad and have not registered their marriage in Taiwan, they should also have their foreign marriage certificate verified (with both the original and Chinese translation) at the Taiwan representative office abroad. This verified marriage certificate must be submitted to the NIA when applying for the child&rsquos residence certificate.

★ For Adult Children
If the child born abroad has already reached adulthood, they can directly apply for residency without fulfilling a minimum period of stay. First, they must apply for a Taiwan passport at the Taiwan representative office abroad (Note: According to the law, those entering Taiwan with a foreign passport cannot apply for residency). They must also provide a verified birth certificate in both the original language and Chinese translation, as well as a national police record from their country of residence issued within the past year.

After entering Taiwan with their Taiwan passport, they must undergo a health examination at a designated public or private hospital authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Required documents for the residence certificate application include:

• One front-facing color passport photo without a hat (same size as passport photo)
• Taiwan passport
• Foreign passport (for those who have not obtained citizenship in their country of residence, a permanent or long-term residence permit from that country is required)
• Verified birth certificate
• Verified police record
• Health examination certificate
• Parents' household registration transcript (or National ID card)
  
  

Upon obtaining the residence certificate, they may proceed to the household registration office to register and receive their National ID card.

Q: How can children born to Taiwanese and Chinese citizens register in Taiwan?
A:
★ Children under 12 years old: Apply for a residence certificate at the NIA service station. After obtaining the residence certificate, proceed to the household registration office for initial household registration.

★ Children under 18 years old: Apply for special &ldquolong-term residence&rdquo status at the NIA service station. After residing in Taiwan for two consecutive years with at least 183 days of stay each year, they may apply for residency. Once the residence certificate is obtained, proceed to the household registration office for initial household registration.

★ Children over 18 years old: They may only enter Taiwan via family visit visas and cannot apply for residence or permanent residency.

Q: If a child is born in Taiwan to a Taiwanese mother and a foreign father, can the child register directly?
A:

• For children born in Taiwan after February 10, 2000, parents can directly register the birth at the household registration office in accordance with household registration laws.
• For children born between February 10, 1980, and February 9, 2000, parents may apply for a residence certificate from the NIA and use it to complete initial household registration at the household registration office.
• For children born before February 9, 1980, the child is considered a foreign national under Taiwan's Nationality Law and cannot directly register in Taiwan.
  
  

Q: If the parents are unmarried both domestically and abroad, can the child still apply for household registration in Taiwan?
A:
For children born out of wedlock:

• If the child is registered under the mother&rsquos nationality, they must take the mother&rsquos surname and provide the mother&rsquos National ID card or household registration transcript (original and copy, with the original returned after verification), along with an affidavit confirming the mother's unmarried status.
• If the child is registered under the father&rsquos nationality, the father must provide a household registration transcript showing completed paternity acknowledgment (original and copy, with the original returned after verification).
  
  

For further details regarding required documents for residence applications, refer to the National Immigration Agency's guide: NIA Guide to Residency Applications for Nationals Without Household Registration in Taiwan.

Q: If a Taiwanese citizen registers in Mainland China or obtains a Mainland Chinese passport, how can they apply to cancel their Taiwan household registration?
A:
According to Article 9-1 of the "Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area," Taiwanese citizens are not allowed to register household residency in Mainland China or obtain a Mainland Chinese passport.

If a Taiwanese citizen has registered household residency in Mainland China and wishes to cancel their Taiwan household registration, they should submit:

• Mainland Chinese identity card or permanent residence registration card
• Taiwan National ID card and passport (if the passport has been confiscated by Mainland authorities, attach a receipt or proof of confiscation)
• A written explanation signed by the applicant
  
  

These documents should be submitted to the NIA service station, which will notify the household registration office and relevant authorities in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Cancellation of Taiwan Household Registration."

Q: Can a foreign spouse obtain a Taiwan National ID card immediately after naturalization?
A:
After naturalization, the foreign spouse&rsquos status changes to "Taiwan Area National without Household Registration." They must first apply for a Taiwan Area Resident Certificate from the NIA and meet the required residence period (one year with at least 335 days of residence, or two years with at least 270 days of residence each year, or five years with at least 183 days of residence each year) before applying for permanent residency. After obtaining the residence certificate, they may then register at the household registration office.

Q: If a foreign spouse has children with a Taiwanese citizen, does this shorten the time required to apply for naturalization?
A:
According to Taiwan's Nationality Law, having children with a Taiwanese citizen does not shorten the required period for naturalization.

Q: How can a foreign spouse travel abroad after naturalizing as a Taiwanese citizen?
A:
After obtaining Taiwanese nationality, a foreign spouse must first apply for a Taiwan Area Resident Certificate as a "Taiwan Area National without Household Registration." To travel abroad during the residence period, they must apply for a Taiwan passport from the Bureau of Consular Affairs and present the Taiwan Area Resident Certificate (which includes a multiple-entry permit) when traveling.Ukrainian artist Larisa has applied for and obtained a residence certificate, and has been naturalized as a Taiwanese citizen. (Photo / Screenshot from China Times News Network / Provided by the Ministry of the Interior)