Iraq: Information on whether a child born in Lebanon in 1973 of Iraqi parents has any claim to Iraqi citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ16731.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on whether a child born in Lebanon in 1973 of Iraqi parents has any claim to Iraqi citizenship, 1 March 1994, IRQ16731.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aacb54.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an official of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Ottawa, a child born to Iraqi parents in Lebanon would be eligible for Iraqi citizenship (4 Mar. 1994). He stated that it does not matter what country the child was born in and that claims to Iraqi citizenship rest on the fact that the father is an Iraqi national (ibid.).
The official stated that citizenship is not granted automatically and that, if abroad, the child would have to apply for citizenship through an Iraqi diplomatic mission (ibid.). The source stated that if applying from outside Iraq, the child would first have to have his or her birth certificate "legalized" by a Lebanese embassy and would then have to present the birth certificate and the father's passport or Iraqi nationality certificate (or photocopies thereof) to an Iraqi embassy (ibid.). He added that each Iraqi citizen should have a nationality certificate (ibid.).
The official stated that the documents would be forwarded to Baghdad and a nationality certificate would be issued to the child if the application were approved (ibid.). The process could take one or two months (ibid.). He added that the process would be expedited if the mother's passport or nationality certificate were also submitted (ibid.).
The source stated that since Iraqis cannot hold multiple nationality, the child would have to renounce his or her current citizenship (ibid.).
A representative at the Islamic Legal Advisement Council in Washington also stated that a person would definitely be entitled to Iraqi citizenship if the father was Iraqi and confirmed that Iraqis are not allowed to hold multiple nationality (9 Mar. 1994). However, he added that non-Iraqi citizens living outside the county who are of Iraqi descent may also apply for a document known as a Huwiyat al Mughtarab (ibid.). The source stated that the document is a type of "multiple entry visa" that permits individuals to work and reside in Iraq, and transfer currency in and out of the country while maintaining their original citizenship (ibid.).
For additional information on the requested subject, please refer to the attached document. A copy of the Iraqi citizenship law of 1963 published in Arabic is available at the DIRB in Ottawa.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Ottawa. 4 March 1994. Telephone interview with official.
Islamic Legal Advisement Council, Washington, DC. 9 March 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachments
Nabil Sa'ib and Muhammed ibn Yunis. "Encyclopedia of Arab Legislation; Fiftieth Section: Citizenship." (unofficial translation received by the DIRB in Ottawa).
