www.multiplecitizenship.com
A noncommercial collection of information about citizenship, dual citizenship and multiple citizenship
 
     

[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]

SAMOA (Formerly Western Samoa)


CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Citizenship Act of 1972, dated August 9, 1972. All persons who were citizens of Samoa under the 1959 Citizenship of Western Samoa Ordinance continued to be citizens of Samoa. (UKC-Commonwealth Nation)

BY BIRTH: Child born on or after August 9, 1972, in the territory of Western Samoa, regardless of the nationality of the parents.

BY DESCENT: Child born abroad, on or after August 9, 1972, of a Samoan father. Child born abroad, out of wedlock, on or after August 9, 1972, of a Samoan mother.

REGISTRATION: British Commonwealth citizens may register for Samoan citizenship upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has resided in the country for at least three years, is of good character, understands the language and customs of the country, and intends to continue to reside in the country.

MARRIAGE: A foreign woman married to a citizen of Samoa may register for citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Samoan citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has resided in the country for at least five years, is of good character, understands the language and customs of the country and intends to continue to reside in the country.


DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: A person who involuntarily acquires dual citizenship by marriage to a foreign national.


LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Western Samoan citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Mission for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Western Samoan citizenship: Person voluntarily obtains new citizenship, except by marriage. Shows disloyalty to the country by:

Joining a foreign armed force Carrying a foreign passport Exercising rights of another citizenship Taking oath of loyalty to a foreign country

Person has continuously resided abroad for more than six years and shows no interest in returning to reside in Samoa. Naturalized or Registered citizenship obtained through fraud.


ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

Samoan Permanent Mission to the United Nations 820 Second Ave., STE 800D New York, NY 10017

Mission Telephone: 212-599-6196 Fax: 212-599-0797

 

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