Yugoslav Citizenship Law 1996

I.FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

(1)The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired and terminated under the conditions determinated hereunder.

Article 2

The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired:

1) by origin;

2) by birth on the territory of Yugoslavia;

3) by acceptance;

4) according to international agreements.

Article 3

The Yugoslav citizenship is terminated:

1 ) by release;

2) by renunciation;

3) according to international agreements.

Article 4

(1)A Yugoslav citizen having a citizenship of another country is considered to be a Yugoslav citizen when on the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (hereinafter: Yugoslavia).

Article 5

(1)A Yugoslav citizen has his member-republic-citizenship terminated by termination of Yugoslav citizenship, and a foreigner acquires the nationality of the member republic at the moment ofacquiring Yugoslav citizenship.

(2)Citizen of a member republic isentitled to same rights and duties on the territory of the other member republic as its own citizens.

Article 6

(1)Yugoslav citizenship id proved by a birth certificate or by a certificate from the registry of the Yugoslav citizens.

(2)A person born abroad and a person who as a foreigner and in accordance with this law, was accepted into Yugoslav citizenship proves his/her Yugoslav citizenship by a certificate from the registry of Yugoslav citizens.

(3)The Yugoslav citizenship is proved abroad by a birth certificate or certificate from the registry of Yugoslav citizens or by a valid travel document of a Yugoslav citizen.

II.ACQUISITION OF THE YUGOSLAV CITIZENSHIP

1.Acquisition of citizenship by origin

Article 7

The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired by origin by:

1)a child whose both parents at the moment of its birth are Yugoslav citizens;

2)a childborn in Yugoslavia whose one of the parents at the moment of child's birth is a Yugoslav citizen;

3)a child born abroad whose one of the parents at the moment of child's birth is a Yugoslav citizen, and the other parent is unknown or of unknown nationality or is stateless.

Article 8

(1)The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired by origin by a child born abroad, whose one of the parents at the moment of child's birth is a Yugoslav citizen, and the other is a foreign citizen, if it is registered until its 18th year as a Yugoslav citizen with the competent diplomatic or consular representation office of Yugoslavia and if it submits a request for registration into the registry of Yugoslav citizens.

(2)Request for registration of a child into the registry of Yugoslav citizens may be made by a parent who is a Yugoslav citizen. If a child is under guardianship, the application may be lodged by a guardian. If a child is over the age of 14, its consent is required.

(3)A child born abroad, whose one parent at the moment of child's birth is a Yugoslav citizen, and which remains without citizenship, acquires a Yugoslav citizenship although not registered as a Yugoslav citizen, i.e. registered in the registry of Yugoslav citizens, pursuant to para I of the present article.

Article 9

(1)Under the conditions referred under Article 8, para 1 hereabove, the Yugoslav citizenship is acquired by a person over the age of 18 if he/she submits a request for registry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens before the age of23.

(2)The request referred to under pare l hereabove is submitted to the authority in charge of keeping the Registry of Yugoslav citizens.

Article 10

(1)Under the terms referred to under Articles 7,8 and 9 of the present Act, the Yugoslav citizenship is acquired as well by an adoptee - foreigner, in case of full adoption.

(2)Request for registration of the adoptee - foreigner into the registry of Yugoslav citizens is submitted by the adopter - Yugoslav citizen.

(3)Request referred to under pare 2 hereabove can be submitted by the adoptee older than 18 years up to 23 years.

2.Acquisition ofthe citizenship by birth on the territory of Yugoslavia

Article 11

(1)A child born or found on the territory of Yugoslavia (orphan) acquires Yugoslav citizenship by birth although both parents might be unknown or of an unknown citizenship or are stateless.

(2)Yugoslav citizenship of a child referred to under pare I hereabove can be terminated if until its age of 18 it is determined that both its parents are foreign nationals. The citizenship ceases at the parents' request on the date the decision thereon is issued.

(3)If a child is over 14 years of age, its consent is required for the termination of its Yugoslav citizenship.

3.Acquiring citizenship by acceptance

Article 12

(1)A foreigner that has been granted, pursuant to regulations on migration and residence of foreigners, permanent residence on the territory of Yugoslavia, at his/her request may be granted Yugoslav citizenship under the following conditions:

1)that he/she is 18 years of age or has entered marriage with a Yugoslav citizen regardless of age;

2)that he/she has a release from foreign citizenship or provides proof that he/she will receive such release if naturalized as Yugoslav citizen;

3)that in the place of permanent residence he/she has a job or some other source of financing for own upkeep and upkeep of the members of his/her family;

4)that he/she has not been convicted to imprisonment for a criminal act making him/her unfit for naturalization as a Yugoslav citizen;

5)that it may be concluded from his behavior that he/she will be a loyal Yugoslav citizen.

(2)Conditions referred to under Item 2. para I hereabove are met if the request is made by a person without citizenship or a person that will render proof that he/she will lose citizenship by naturalization as Yugoslav citizen pursuant to the law of the country whose citizenship he/she holds.

(3)If a foreign country does not allow release term citizenship or places such conditions for release which the foreigner cannot fulfill without vital damage to his existence and the existence of his/her family condition from para 1, line 2 is fulfilled if the applicant gives the statement thathe/she renounces the foreign citizenship in case he/she acquires the Yugoslav citizenship.

Article 13

A Yugoslav emigrant and a member of his/her family may be naturalized as Yugoslav citizens if they meet the conditions set forth under article 12 para 1, Items 4 and 5 of the present Act.

Article 14

(1)Yugoslav citizenship may also be granted to a foreigner who does not have a release from foreign citizenship, regardless of the fact whether he/she has been granted permanent residence in the Yugoslavia and whether he/she has a job or some other source for financing the upkeep, if his/her naturalization as Yugoslav citizen is required byinternational and other interests of Yugoslavia, if he/she has particular merits for Yugoslavia or it is necessary for scientific, economic, cultural, national and similar reasons.

(2)The Federal Government decides on the naturalization as Yugoslav citizen referred to under pare I hereabove on the presentarticle.

Article 15

(1)If both parents acquire a Yugoslav citizenship by acceptance, their child that has not reached the age of 18 also acquires the Yugoslav citizenship at their request.

(2)If one of the parents acquires Yugoslav citizenship by acceptance, upon his request, his/her child that has not reached the age of 18 also acquires the Yugoslav citizenship of living with this parent in Yugoslavia.

(3)Along with the request mentioned in para 2 of this article the consent of the other parent should be submitted. The consent is not required if the other parent is stateless.

(4)If the other parent does not approve the naturalization of the child as Yugoslav citizen the approval is given by the competent guardianship authority.

(5)If the child is older than 14, his/her consent is required for naturalization as Yugoslav citizen.

Article 16

(1)In the case of incomplete adoption an adoptee-foreigner who has not reached the age of 18, may acquire Yugoslav citizenship at the request of the adopter who is a Yugoslav citizen if living permanently with the adoption in Yugoslavia.

(2)If the adoptee is older than 14 his/her consent is required for naturalization as Yugoslav citizen.

Article 17

(1)The authority that has brought the decision on naturalization as Yugoslav citizen may rescind this decision if it determined that the naturalization as Yugoslav citizen was achieved by false statement or deliberate concealment of vital facts or circumstances that have affected the bringing of the decision.

(2)If it is interest of the child, the rescinding of the decision referred to under para 1 hereabove need not pertain to a child up to the age of 18 that has acquired the Yugoslav citizenship.

4. Acquiring citizenship according to international agreements

Article 18

(1)Yugoslav citizenship may be acquired on the basis of the confirmed international agreement.

(2)Dual nationality may be established by internationalagreement referred to under para 1 hereabove subject to reciprocity.

III.TERMINATION OF YUGOSLAV CITIZENSHIP

1. Termination of the citizenship by release

Article 19

(1)Yugoslav citizenship ceases to the Yugoslav citizen by release if he/she submits a request for release and meets the following conditions:

1)that he/she is 18 years of age;

2)that there are no impediments regarding the military service;

3)that he/she has paid the taxes and other legal obligations;

4)that he/she has settled the property obligations from marital relation and relations of parents and children towards persons livingin Yugoslavia;

5)that there are no criminal proceedings instituted against him/her in Yugoslavia for a criminal offense which is prosecuted ex officio, and, if sentenced to imprisonment in Yugoslavia, that he/she has served that sentence;

6)that he/she has a foreign citizenship or proof that he/she will be naturalized as foreign citizen.

(2)In the procedure of release from Yugoslav citizenship at the request of a military person or civil person employed by the Yugoslav Army, the opinion of the federal authority in charge of defense affairs will be obtained.

Article 20

Release from Yugoslav citizenship will not be approved:

1)if this is necessary for reasons of security of defense of the country, for reasons of reciprocity or if the economic and other interest ofYugoslavia so require;

2)persons subject to military conscription, if the federal authority in charge of defense affairs determine that there are impediments for release related to military obligation.

Article 2I

(1)Yugoslav citizen that has submitted the application for release from Yugoslav citizenship may demand under the same request also the release from Yugoslav citizenship for his/her children up to the age of 18. Along with the request for release from the Yugoslav citizenship of a child the consent of the other parent as well as the opinion of the competent guardianship authority are required. If the child is over age of 14, its consent is required as well.

(2)If the parents are divorced, the request for release from citizenship of a child may be submitted only by the parent that has been given custody of the child on the basis of an effective court decision.

(3)If the other parent does not agree with the release of the child from the Yugoslav citizenship, or his residence is unknown, or is deprived of civil capacity or paternal rights, the request for release of the child from Yugoslav citizenship will be accepted if, according to the opinion of the competent guardianship authority, this is in the child's interest.

Article 22

(1)In case of full adoption, the Yugoslav citizenship of the adoptee up to age of 18 is terminated by release if the application for release from the citizenship is lodged by an adopter who is a foreigner or an adopter that has lodged the application for release from Yugoslav citizenship and if conditions referred to under Article 21 hereabove have been met.

(2)Yugoslav citizenship would not be terminated to a child by full adoption if it would thereby remain stateless.

Article 23

(1)If a person that has been granted release from Yugoslav citizenship does not acquire foreign citizenship within one year from the date of delivery of the decision on release, the authority that has brought the decision may annul the same on the written application of that person.

2. Termination of citizenship by reunification

Article 24

(1)A Yugoslav citizen of legal age born and living abroad, whoalso has a foreign citizenship, may renounce the Yugoslav citizenship until the age of 23.

(2)With respect to reunification of citizenship of a cllild until the age of 18 the provisions of article 21 hereabove are implemented accordingly.

3. Termination of citizenship according to international agreements

Article 25

Yugoslav citizenship may cease on the basis of confirmed international agreement.

IV. REACQUISITION OF YUGOSLAV CITIZENSHIP

Article 26

(1)A person that has been released from Yugoslav citizenship and has acquired foreign citizenship and a person whose Yugoslav citizenship has been terminated, at parents' request, by release or reunification may reacquire the Yugoslav citizenship and if he/she spends a minimum of one year continuously on the territory of Yugoslavia.

(2)An application for reacquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship will be denied if there are any impediments referred to under Article 12 para I, Items 1, 4 and 5 hereabove.

V.SOLVING THE CONFLICT OF REPUBLIC CITIZENSHIP ACTS

Article 27

(1)Child acquires the citizenship of the member republic whose citizenship both parents have at the moment of its birth.

(2)If the child's parent at the moment of its birth have a citizenship of different member republics, the child acquires the citizenship of the member republic according to the law of the republic on whose territory it was born, if one of the parents has the citizenship of that republic. Parents may determine by agreement that the child will acquire the citizenship of a member republic according to the law of the republic whose citizenship the other parent has.

(3)A child born abroad, whose parents at the moment of its birth have the citizenship of different member republics, acquires the citizenship of member republic of one of the parents according to the law of the republic they choose by mutual agreement.

(4)If agreement referred to under para 3 above is not reached, the child acquires the citizenship of the member republic according to the law of the republic on whose territory it was registered in the registry of births, i.e. according to the law of the republic whose citizenship has the parent who is reporting the child as Yugoslav citizen with the competent Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representative office and demanding the registration ofthe child in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens.

(5)If one of the parents is not alive or is deprived of his civil capacity or parental rights or is unknown, the statement on the child's citizenship of the member republic is given by the other parent.

(6)The provisions referred to under para I to 5 hereabove are applicable also in determination of the member republic citizenship with an adoptee - foreigner which has acquired the Yugoslav citizenship by full adoption.

Article 28

(1)A person that has acquired Yugoslav citizenship by acceptance acquires the citizenship of the member republic on whose territory he/she resides.

(2)A Yugoslav emigrant acquires the citizenship of the member republic which he declares in the request for naturalization as Yugoslav citizen.

(3)If a parent or spouse of a person referred to under para 1 hereabove is a Yugoslav citizen, this person may acquire the citizenship of the member republic of the spouse or parent.

VI.PROCEDURE FOR ACQUISITION OR TERMINATION OF YUGOSLAV CITIZENSHIP AND DETERMINATION OF YUGOSLAV CITIZENSHIP

Article 29

The federal and republican authority in charge of internal affairs decides on the applications for acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship by acceptance and on the basis of international agreements, as well as on termination of Yugoslav citizenship, in accordance with, its competence prescribed by the law.

Article 30

(1)The application for naturalization, application, for release and application for re acquiring Yugoslav citizenship is submitted personally or via proxy on a prescribed form.

(2)A guardian submits the application for a person deprived of civil capacity.

(3)Application for naturalization, application for release and statement on renunciation of Yugoslav citizenship is submitted to the Federal authority in charge of internal affairs directly, or through relevant diplomatic or consular department of Yugoslavia. The request for re-acquisition of Yugoslav citizenship is submitted to the Federal authority in charge of internal affairs.

(4)Application for naturalization, application for release and statement on renunciation of Yugoslav citizenship will be conveyed by the competent Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representation office without any delays to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs.

Article 31

(1)If the procedure for determination, acquisition or termination ofYugoslav citizenship, commenced at the application of a party, cannot be continued or completed without undertaking certain activities on the part of the applicant, it shall be deemed that the request has been withdrawn if in spite of the warnings given by the competent authority the applicant does not perform on time the activity required for the continuation or completion of the procedure, i.e. if due to failure to undertake this activity it may be concluded that the party is not interested any more in the continuation of the procedure.

(2)The procedure may be suspended for reasons stated under para 1 hereabove upon expiry of three months from the date of warning, i.e. six months if the party resides abroad.

Article 32

(1)The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired, i.e. is terminated by delivery of decision on naturalization and release from citizenship and in case or termination by renunciation - by lodging a statement on renunciation.

(2)The federal authority in charge of internal affairs is obliged to refer the irrevocable decision on the acquisition or termination of Yugoslav citizenship to the respective authority in charge of keeping, the registries - the authority in charge of keeping registries of population.

Article 33

A child or person referred to Art. 7 to 11 of the present Act is deemed a Yugoslav citizen since birth.

Article 34

Release from Yugoslav citizenship will not be granted, i.e. renunciation of Yugoslav citizenship will not be accepted while there is a state of war, a state of immediate war danger and a state of emergency.

Article 35

(1)If a person is not entered in the registry of births or a registry of Yugoslav citizens the federal authority in charge of internal affairs will determine the citizenship of that person at his/her application.

(2)The federal authority in charge of internal affairs makes the decision on establishment of Yugoslav citizenship.

(3)If the authority referred to under para. I hereabove establish a Yugoslav citizenship to person born in foreign country or who was a foreigner accepted into Yugoslav citizenship will register such person in the registry of Yugoslav citizens.

Article 36

(1)If the federal authority in charge of internal affairs determines in the procedure that a person has acquired the Yugoslav citizenship contrary to regulations on citizenship which have been, effective at the time of acquiring the citizenship, particularly on the basis of false or forged document or statement on the basis of wrong facts or other abuse and irregularity in the procedure carried out it shall make a decision on rescinding the acquisition of Yugoslav citizenship to that person.

(2)The federal authority in charge of internal affairs is obliged to deliver the decision on rescinding the acquisition of Yugoslav citizenship to the authority in charge of keeping registries, i.e. in charge of keeping the registries of population.

VII.CITIZENSHIP RECORDS

Article 37

(1)The Yugoslav citizenship is entered in the Registry of Births.

(2)For Yugoslav citizens born in the foreign country as well as for persons who as foreigner were accepted into Yugoslav citizenship the Yugoslav citizenship is entered in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens in a prescribed way.

(3)The Registry of Yugoslav citizens is kept by the federal authority in charge of internal affairs.

(4)Entry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens is made on the basis of request made by the interested person and for persons that have been naturalized as Yugoslav citizens according to the provisions of the present Act - ex officio.

(5)The request for entry in the registry of Yugoslav citizens is lodged with the federal authority in charge of internal affairs directly or via a competent Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representation office.

(6)The certificate of Yugoslav citizenship is issued by the federal authority in charge of internal affairs on a prescribed form.

Article 38

The following data are recorded in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens:

1)ordinal number;

2)surname and name;

3)father's name

4)name and maiden surname of the mother;

5)date, place and country of birth;

6)personal registry number;

7)occupation and education;

8)date of entry;

9)basis of entry;

10)date of cancellation;

11)basis of cancellation;

12)notes

Article 39

Documents pertaining to the entry in the registry of Yugoslav citizens are kept permanently.

Article 40

The certificate of Yugoslav citizen is issued upon application made by the interested person.

Article 41

(1)The following data are kept in the records on obtaining Yugoslav citizenship (by naturalization, re acquiring and on the basis of international agreements):

1)surname and name;

2)date place and country of birth;

3)personal registry number;

4)occupation and education;

5)place of principal residence, i.e. residence at the time of naturalization as Yugoslav citizen;

6)foreign citizenship until the naturalization as Yugoslav citizen;

7)number and date of decision on acquisition, of the Yugoslav citizenship;

8)manner and legal basis for acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship;

9)date of acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship;

10)republic citizenship;

11)data on entry in the registry of births.

(2)The records referred to under para I hereabove are kept in a prescribed way.

Article 42

(1)The following data are kept in the records on termination of Yugoslav citizenship:

1)surname and name;

2)date place and country of birth;

3)personal registry number;

4)occupation and education;

5)place of principal residence i.e. the residence at the time of termination of Yugoslav citizenship;

6)foreign citizenship acquired;

7)number and date of decision on termination of Yugoslav citizenship;

8)manner and legal basis for termination of Yugoslav citizenship;

9)date of termination of Yugoslav citizenship;

10)date of emigration;

11)reason for requesting the termination of Yugoslav citizenship;

12)data on entry in the registry of births.

(2)The records referred to under pare I hereabove are kept in a prescribed way.

Article 43

(1)Data on Yugoslav citizenship kept in the records are kept by the authority in charge of the registry 50 years after the death or termination of citizenship of the person to whom the data refer.

(2)Upon expiry of the term referred to under para I hereabove the data are filed.

Article 44

(1)The authority in charge of keeping records on citizenship may release the data from the records it is keeping solely to state authorities, under the following conditions:

1)that the authority demanding the data is authorized by law or other regulations to require and receive such data:

2)the authority demanding these data needs them for performing the tasks placed under its competence;

3)that these data cannot be provided in any other way or their providing would involve disproportionally high costs.

(2)The users of data referred to under para I hereabove may deliver these data to other uses and may use them solely for purposes for which they had received them.

Article 45

(1)The data from the records on Yugoslav citizenship may be delivered to authorities of foreign countries subject to reciprocity:

1)if they are delivered to the authority of a foreign country competent for the citizenship issues;

2)if the receiver of data undertakes to use the received data only in connection with the procedure of regulating citizenship or only if this is necessary for conducting criminal proceedings or if the delivery of these data are undoubtedly of use to the person to which they refer;

3)if on the location of the authority provided with, the data the protection of personal data is secured also for foreigners.

VIII.TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 46

As Yugoslav citizen, pursuant to the present Act is considered a citizen of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia who on the date of proclamation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on April 27, 1992 had the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia or the Republic of Montenegro as well as his/her children born after that date.

Article 47

(1)The Yugoslav citizenship may be acquired by a citizen of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia who had the citizenship of another republic of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (hereinafter citizen of another republic of tile Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia) who on the date of proclamation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on April 97, 1992,has residence on the territory of Yugoslavia as well as the children of that citizen born after that date as well as a citizen of another republic of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia that has accepted to be transformed into a professional commissioned officer and professional noncommissioned officer, i.e. civil person employed by the Yugoslav Army and member of his/her immediate family (spouse and children) - if he/she does not have another citizenship.

(2)The citizen of another republic of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia will lodge an application to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs for entry into the Registry of Yugoslav citizens within a year from the date of effectiveness of the present Act. In justified cases the applications may be made even after the expiry of this term, but not longer than three years from the date of effectiveness of the present Act.

(3)Application for entry in the registry of Yugoslav citizens, the citizen of another SFRY republic, submits on to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs directly or via competent Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representation office.

(4)Together with the application for entry in the registry of Yugoslav citizens shall be enclosed the statement made by the applicant that he/she does not have another citizenship or a statement that he/she has renounced another citizenship, which the applicant will sign personally.

(5)The application for entry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens for a child of citizen of other SFRY republic which has not reached 18 is submitted by both parents or by both parent. If the child is over 14, its consent is requested for entry in tile Registry if Yugoslav citizens.

Article 48

(1)As Yugoslav citizen may be recognized citizens of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia that due to his/her national or religious or political affiliation and endeavors to observe human rights and freedoms takes refugee on the territories of Yugoslavia and submits an application for citizenship to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs and does not avail of another citizenship.

(2)As Yugoslav citizen may also be accepted a citizen of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia who is residing abroad and has no other citizenship.

(3)Whether the conditions for naturalization as Yugoslav citizen referred to under para I and 2 hereabove are met is decided by the federal and republican authority in charge of internal affairs in accordance with its competencies prescribed by the law which also evaluates the justification of reasons stated in the submitted application bearing in mind the interests of security defense and international position of Yugoslavia.

(4)The application for acceptance into Yugoslav citizenship is submitted to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs directly or via a Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representation office. The application for acceptance into Yugoslav citizenship shall be conveyed by the Yugoslav diplomatic or consular representation office to the federal authority in charge of internal affairs without any delay.

(5)The applicant shall enclose with the application for Yugoslav citizenship a statement that he/she does not have any other citizenship or that he/she has renounced the other citizenship, which statement he/she has to sign personally.

(6)In the application for acceptance into Yugoslav citizenship are to be stated particularly the circumstances and facts which indicate persecution for reasons stated under para I hereabove and place of residence in Yugoslavia.

(7)The application for acceptance into Yugoslav citizenship of a child that has not reached the age of 18 is submitted by a parent. If the child is above the age of 14, its consent is required for the acquisition of citizenship.

(8)In the application for Yugoslav citizenship shall be stated the citizenship of the member republic in which the applicant wishes to be naturalized.

(9)The Yugoslav citizenship is acquired by delivery of the decision on naturalization as Yugoslav citizen.

Article 49

(1)Should it be determined that the acceptance or release from Yugoslav citizenship,entry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens, i.e. naturalization as Yugoslav citizen was, achieved by false statement or deliberate concealment of vital facts or circumstances,decision of acceptance, or release from Yugoslav citizenship, the entry in the registry, i.e. decision on naturalization as Yugoslav citizen will be annulled.

(2)If it is in the child's interest, the annulment of the decision of acceptance, i.e. release from Yugoslav citizenship, entry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens, i.e. annulment of the decision on naturalization as Yugoslav citizen for reasons stated under para I hereabove need not include a child up to the age of 18.

(3)Decision on acceptance, i.e. release from Yugoslav citizenship and entry in the records of Yugoslav citizen ship, i.e. decision on naturalization as Yugoslav citizen cannot be annulled if the person to which the decision relates would remain stateless.

Article 50

(1)Records are kept on the entry in the Registry of Yugoslav citizens of other republics of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia and naturalization as Yugoslav citizen.

(2)In the records referred to underpara 1 hereabove the following data are entered:

1)surname and name;

2)date and place of birth;

3)personal registry number;

4)occupation and education;

5)place of principal residence, namely the residence at the time of acquiring the Yugoslav citizenship;

6)citizenship of the republic which used to be a part of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia;

7)number and date of decision on acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship;

8)basis for acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship;

9)date of acquisition of the Yugoslav citizenship;

10)data on entry in the registry of births.

(3)Records referred to under para 1 hereabove are kept in a prescribed way.

Article 51

(1)The federal authority in charge of internal affairs shall take over from the republic authorities the pending applications for naturalization as Yugoslav citizen and release from Yugoslav citizenship submitted since April 27, 1992 until the effectiveness of the present Act.

Article 52

The procedure for settling the application for acquisition and termination of Yugoslav citizenship commenced prior to the date of effectiveness of the present Act shall be completed according to the present Act.

IX.FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 53

The regulations for enforcement of the present Act shall be brought within 90 days from the date of effectiveness of the present Act.

Article 54

With the date of effectiveness of the present Act ceases to be valid the Citizenship Act of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia ("Official Gazette of SFR Yugoslavia", No. 58/76).

Article 55

This Act shall come into force on January 1st, 1997.