What decides nationality - parentage or place of birth?

Answer 1

Place of Birth I think

Answer 2

It's not that simple as either parentage or place of birth. It depends on the country the child is born in. Some countries grant nationality to all children born there. Example, USA. Other countries grant nationality acording to the parents' nationality. In Ireland, a child is irish if he/she can prove a parent is irish.

Adults can change their nationality any time by being naturalised. It depends on the country you wish to be a national of.

Matters get complicated when a child is born in a plane, or in international waters (Open sea in a boat) Again, it depends on the parents AND where the plane/boat is from.

Some unfortunate children remain stateless (Without nationality) Here is a case. Back in 1988 or 1989, I think, Father British, Mother Irish, parents unmarried, born in a plane over international waters.

Because the parents were unmarried the child couldn't get the father's nationality. The child was born outside of Ireland, so she couldn't get an Irish birth cert. The plane... again, over international waters... Problem. No birth cert, no nationality.

Now the law has changed in Ireland, the child is now Irish.


So it's not that simple.

Answer 3

Legally, place of birth determines your claim to Nationality but your parentage will be taken into consideration too. In my opinion though, the world is big enough for all of us and true Nationality is determined by where your heart lies.

Answer 4

Hey there... you want to know what determines your Nationality. Well, what does it say on your passport? Usually it's the country you were registered in at birth. There is more to it that that, but for eg. My mother was born in Mozambique. My grandparents lived, and were resident in South Africa. Now, had they registered her birth in Mozambique, she could have claimed a passport and Nationality from Mozambique, but as her parents waited till they were back in SA, and registered her there... she has an SA passport. Thing is... if your parents or spouse have a different passport to you, you can apply for that same passport- and nationality. Parentage decides Nationality initially- so does place of birth. Your parents may be living in France, but be polish nationals, but you are a french national because you were registered under french law. so it depends. both decide nationality. Hope that is of some use.

Answer 5

Parentage!

Answer 6

My son has just been born in Belgium but his nationality is not Belgian. He is British as both of us are british. When he gets his passport it will say he is British nationality. Although he can apply for a Belgian passport and citizenship if he lives here until he is 16+ but he will still be british with. At least this is how it has been explained to us. Perhaps each country has different policies and therefore I could be all wrong!

Answer 7

This is a really interesting question. I had an argument with some Irish people once who claimed that if a Japanese couple just got off a plane and the woman gave birth in Ireland and then they straight away got back on a plane and flew away, their baby would be Irish! I don't get it! The baby would be Japanese in my opinion. However, if the baby was left in Ireland and brought up by an Irish couple, it would be Japanese by race and Irish by upbringing. This is a true story (about the argument).

Answer 8

Parentage. Without a doubt!

Answer 9

if you have parents and you love them, that counts too, then parentage. if you don't then where you grew up. if you don't remember then look at the nationality on the person you are closest to, whether friend or relative, you are there nationality too. race doesn't matter

Answer 10

If your parents are American and you are born in England you would be elligible for a uk passport and an American one so it is not always clear cut. I think it is generally considered the place of your birth but then if you live in a country for a while....five years you can apply for citizanship...I think. So like I say not always so clear cut.....but does give a bit of flexibility.