[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]

NAMIBIA

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, dated March 21, 1990, the date of independence. (UKC-Commonwealth Nation)

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Namibia does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child of unknown parents.

BY DESCENT: Persons born before March 21, 1990, born in Namibia, of parents who were legal residents in Namibia. Persons born after March 21, 1990, born in wedlock, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Namibia, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born out of wedlock to a Namibian mother and an unknown or stateless father.

MARRIAGE: Foreigner who marries a citizen of Namibia may apply for citizenship two years after marriage.

REGISTRATION: Persons were eligible to register for citizenship up to one year after independence if they were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the time of independence, had lived in the country for at least five years, and had renounced their previous citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Namibian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has resided continually in the country for at least five years, and has renounced previous citizenship.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: Namibian child born abroad who gains citizenship of the country of birth may retain dual citizenship until age 18.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Namibian citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Namibian citizenship: Person has voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship Person has volunteered to serve in the armed forces of another country without government permission. Person has lived abroad more than two years without written permission of the Namibian government.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship should be directed to the address below:

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia Consular Section 1605 New Hampshire Ave., NW Washington, DC 20009

Embassy/Consular Telephone: 202-986-0540 Fax: 202-986-0443

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