Spain: Information on whether a Cuban whose deceased father was a Spanish citizen has a right to claim Spanish citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ESP18538.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Spain: Information on whether a Cuban whose deceased father was a Spanish citizen has a right to claim Spanish citizenship, 1 October 1994, ESP18538.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad2f6b.html [accessed 7 June 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. |
The information that follows was provided by an official of the consular registry at the Embassy of Spain in Ottawa (6 Oct. 1994).
The fact that a person's father is or was a Spanish citizen does not automatically confer the right to claim Spanish citizenship. When a Spanish citizen registered with Spanish authorities the birth of a child, it is usually a relatively simple procedure for the child (even if he or she is an adult) to obtain a Spanish passport or otherwise have his or her Spanish citizenship acknowledged by Spanish authorities. But a number of problems exist sometimes: for example, the child's birth may not have been registered with Spanish authorities, or there might be no proof of the father's Spanish citizenship. The first step to reclaim, regain or obtain Spanish citizenship in the case of a foreigner whose father was Spanish would be to approach Spanish consular authorities abroad (or other pertinent Spanish authorities if in Spain) with proof of the father's citizenship. This proof could be, for example, a document from the central registry of citizens in Spain, where all Spanish citizens, living or dead, are registered. Children of Spanish citizens can request such document from the central registry.
With proof of the father's Spanish citizenship, the Spanish consular authorities will evaluate the case and determine whether there are valid grounds for requesting Spanish citizenship and establish the next steps to be followed. Spain does not acknowledge dual citizenship or multiple nationality, so the process for obtaining Spanish citizenship might require renunciation of other citizenships.
Please find attached a copy of a document that discusses Spanish citizenship, including its establishment, conservation, loss and recovery.
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.
Reference
Embassy of Spain, Ottawa. 6 October 1994. Telephone interview with official at the consular registry.
Attachment
Perez Vera, Elisa and José-María Espinar y Vicente. February 1993. "Espagne," Juris-Classeur Nationalité. Paris: Editions Techniques, pp. 1-17.
