Argentina/Bolivia/Peru: Rights to nationality and citizenship in Peru, Argentina and Bolivia of an adult male born in Peru to an Argentinian mother and a Bolivian father, but who never lived in Argentina or Bolivia (March 2001-October 2004)

Argentina

Although the embassy of Argentina in Ottawa and the consulate of Argentina in Montreal could not provide the information requested within the time constraints of this Request, according to Citizenship Laws of the World, citizenship by descent may be granted to a child only on the condition that both the child's parents are citizens of Argentina (US March 2001).

In addition, please consult ARG42753.E of 12 August 2004 for information about a new immigration law that will affect migrants seeking resident status in Argentina.

Bolivia

In a 4 October 2004 telephone interview, a consular official at the embassy of Bolivia stated that all persons wishing to apply for citizenship in Bolivia from abroad must first go to Bolivia, obtain temporary resident status, and then apply for citizenship, which could take up to three years. In the case of the adult male in question, the official stated that because this person's father is Bolivian, the normal three-year processing period could possibly be shortened; however, the official could not say by how much (Embassy of Bolivia 4 Oct. 2004).

The entry for Bolivia in Citizenship Laws of the World partially corroborated this information, stating that a "[c]hild born abroad to either a Bolivian mother or father is granted citizenship either by returning to live in Bolivia, or by being registered at a consulate" (US March 2001).

In addition, BOL42230.E of 30 January 2004 also contains information about nationality and citizenship of foreign-born children.

Peru

In a 5 October 2004 telephone interview, a consular official at the Embassy of Peru in Ottawa stated that anyone born in Peru has rights to Peruvian nationality and citizenship. With a birth certificate, the official explained, a person born in Peru can apply for a National Identity Card (Documento Nacional de Identidad, DNI) in the year he or she has attained the age of 17 (Embassy of Peru 5 Oct. 2004). The official noted that the DNI is a useful document for such purposes as proving citizenship and allowing citizens to take part in the voting process (ibid.).

This information was corroborated by Citizenship Laws of the World, which stated that Peruvian citizenship is bestowed upon any child born in Peru (US Mar. 2001). However, according to this reference guide, Peruvian-born persons are eligible for citizenship registration at the age of 18 (ibid.).

Please see attached entries from Citizenship Laws of the World for more information about nationality and citizenship in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

References

Embassy of Bolivia, Ottawa. 4 October 2004. Telephone interview with consular official.

Embassy of Peru, Ottawa. 5 October 2004. Telephone interview with consular official.

United States (US). March 2001. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Citizenship Laws of the World. [Accessed 4 Oct. 2004]

Attachments

United States (US). March 2001. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). "Argentina." Citizenship Laws of the World. [Accessed 4 Oct. 2004]
_____. March 2001. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). "Bolivia." Citizenship Laws of the World. [Accessed 4 Oct. 2004]
_____. March 2001. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). "Peru." Citizenship Laws of the World. [Accessed 4 Oct. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

The embassy of Argentina in Ottawa could not provide the information requested within time constraints.

The consulate of Argentina in Montreal could not provide the information requested within time constraints.