[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

KIRIBATI (Formerly the Gilbert Islands)

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship information is based on the Kiribati Independence Order dated July 12, 1979. These persons were eligible for automatic citizenship on Independence Day, July 12, 1979: Person of Kiribati descent (i.e., person descended from those born in Kiribati before 1900) who was born in Kiribati and was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (UKC). Person not of Kiribati descent, but who was born in Kiribati. Person of Kiribati descent, or a citizen of the UKC, who was naturalized in Kiribati. Person of Kiribati descent, a citizen of the UKC, born abroad, whose father was a citizen of Kiribati. Foreign woman who was married to person eligible for Kiribati citizenship.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Kiribati, on or after July 12, 1979, does not automatically confer citizenship. The only exception is a child born to unknown or stateless parents.

BY DESCENT: For persons born on or after July 12, 1979: Child of a native-born Kiribati father, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born out of wedlock to a Kiribati mother and an unknown father, regardless of the child's country of birth.

MARRIAGE: A foreign wife of a Kiribati citizen is eligible to register for citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: No information was provided.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Kiribati citizenship is permitted by law.

INVOLUNTARY: There are no grounds for the loss of citizenship for those of Kiribati descent. The following are grounds for involuntary loss of all other forms of Kiribati citizenship: Person voluntarily obtains foreign citizenship, except by marriage. Person exercises rights or privileges, or submits to any requirements, of a foreign state. Naturalized citizenship that was obtained through fraud or falsity.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning Kiribati Citizenship Law should be directed to the addresses below:

Law Library American-British Law Division Rm. LM 240 Library of Congress/Madison Building Washington, DC 20540-3020 -Telephone: 202-707-5077 -Fax: 202-707-1820

The Republic of Kiribati does not have an embassy in the United States; the Ambassador for the Marshal Islands is the accredited representative of Kiribati in the United States.

Republic of the Marshall Islands Attn: Kiribati Interest Section 2433 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 -Embassy Phone: 202-234-5414 -Fax: 202-232-3236

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