Acquisition of Lebanese citizenship through descent can only take place if one's father is a Lebanese citizen (UK Apr. 2002; FHHR 2002). Therefore, children who are born to Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers cannot acquire Lebanese citizenship (ibid.). There are two exceptions to this rule: (1) a Lebanese widow can confer her citizenship upon her minor children (since 1995), and (2) a single, Lebanese mother whose children are born out of wedlock may confer her citizenship upon her minor children (ibid.).

The conferment of Lebanese citizenship by a parent to his or her child(ren) is automatic, but only once the parent has registered the child's birth with the relevant Lebanese authorities (Immigration and Asylum Lawyer 19 Nov. 2003). According to an immigration and asylum lawyer in Beirut, a parent must declare each child to the Lebanese authorities (ibid.). To do this, he or she must present the child's birth certificate (which is usually issued by the hospital) to the city or village mayor or to a Lebanese embassy or consulate, which forwards the document to the appropriate Lebanese authorities (ibid.). The authorities then issue an official document that is registered in the public records (ibid.). If, within the first year of the child's life, the parent fails to declare or register his or her child, a judicial process is required before the child can be registered (ibid.).

If the child was registered with the relevant Lebanese authorities and had reached the age of majority (18 years of age in Lebanon) when his or her father renounced his Lebanese citizenship, there would be no effect upon the child's Lebanese citizenship (ibid.). This is irrespective of whether the child had moved away and was living outside of the country, and whether he or she had ever sought to have his or her Lebanese citizenship officially acknowledged (ibid.). Corroborating information was provided in a telephone interview with a representative of the Embassy of Lebanon, in Ottawa (19 Nov. 2003).

If the child was registered with the relevant Lebanese authorities, but had not reached the age of majority when his or her father renounced his Lebanese citizenship, the child's Lebanese citizenship may be negatively affected (although, in the lawyer's opinion, it should not) (Immigration and Asylum Lawyer 19 Nov. 2003). The representative of the Embassy of Lebanon, in Ottawa, corroborated this information (19 Nov. 2003).

However, if the child was not registered, irrespective of whether he or she had reached the age of majority when his or her father renounced his Lebanese citizenship, it would be extremely difficult to retain his or her Lebanese citizenship (Immigration and Asylum Lawyer 19 Nov. 2003). In this scenario, the embassy representative indicated that the child could not retain his or her citizenship (19 Nov. 2003).

The embassy representative also added that if the father renounced his Lebanese citizenship before the child was born, the child could not obtain Lebanese citizenship (Embassy of Lebanon 19 Nov. 2003).

Further, the embassy representative stated that although the above are general guidelines only; each case is different, and its outcome will depend on the circumstances of the individual (ibid.). In the end, it is the authorities in Lebanon, and not the embassies or consulates, that make the decision on whether Lebanese citizenship can or cannot be conferred from a particular parent to a particular child (ibid.).

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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa. 19 November 2003. Telephone interview with a representative who provided information upon consultation with the Chargé d'Affaires.

Foundation for Human and Humanitarian Rights Lebanon (FHHR). 2002. "The State of Human Rights in Lebanon - 2002." http://freelebanon.org/articles/a317.htm [Accessed 19 Nov. 2003]

Immigration and asylum lawyer, Beirut. 19 November 2003. Telephone interview.

United Kingdom (UK). April 2002. Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Home Office. Country Assessment Lebanon. http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=1398 [Accessed 19 Nov. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

An anthropologist, who is also a philosopher and research fellow who has written a book on citizenship laws in various Arab countries, including Lebanon, did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

Internet sites, including:

Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa

Embassy of Lebanon, Washington, DC

European Country of Origin Information Network

Heiros Gamos Law Centre

Middle East Laws

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Country of Origin and Legal Information

Republic of Lebanon, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants

Republic of Lebanon, Ministry of Interior [not accessible via the Internet]

United States Defense and Security Service

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