The right to citizenship in Cape Verde of a person that was born in Angola to parents who were both citizens of Cape Verde [CPV41209.E]

During a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official at the Consular Office of Cape Verde, in Boston, provided the following information:

A person born in Angola to parents who were both citizens of Cape Verde has a right to Cape Verdian citizenship (12 Mar. 2003). In order to qualify, however, the person in question must apply "out of his own free will" [meaning not under threat of deportation for crime or failure of immigration application or claim for refugee status] for citizenship at a Cape Verdian embassy or at the Ministry of Justice in Cape Verde (ibid.). The applicant, the official explained, will be required to provide birth certificates of both parents, his or her own birth certificate, as well a second proof identity, either a passport or an identity card bearing a photograph of the applicant (ibid.). If the documents provided are not in Portuguese, the applicant will be required to pay for translation charges, which amounts to $19.50 (U.S) per translated page. In addition the applicant must pay a non-refundable fee of $52.00 for the passport.

The official explained that the decision on whether or not to grant citizenship resides with the Minister of Justice (ibid.). The procedure may take between three to six months; however, in cases of demonstrated emergencies, the consulate will issue a temporary passport (ibid.).

Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde specifies that:

Cape Verdian citizenship shall be vested in all those who by law or international convention shall be considered as such.
The State may conclude Treaties of Dual Nationality.
Cape Verdians may acquire citizenship of origin (Blaustein & Flanz, May 1994, 52).

Information posted on the Defence Security Service (DSS) Website stipulates that Cape Verdian Citizenship may be acquired through the following means:

By Birth: Birth within the territory of Cape Verde does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child born to unknown parents.
By Descent: Child, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Cape Verde, is granted citizenship regardless of the country of birth.
By Naturalization: Cape Verdean citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions:
-Person must have resided in the country for at least five years.
-Person who makes a sizeable investment in Cape Verde may be granted citizenship without the residency requirement.
Married: Person who marries a citizen of Cape Verde is automatically eligible for citizenship upon request...
Voluntary renunciation of Cape Verdean citizenship is permitted under the law (n.d.).

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.

References

Cape Verde. 12 March 2003. Consulate of the Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde, Boston. Telephone interview with official.

Blaustein, A. P. and G.H. Flanz, G. H., eds. May 1994. Vol. 4. "The Republic of Cape Verde," translated by Sarah Campbelland Marcia W. Coward. Constituiions of the Countries of the World. NY: Oceana Publications.

United States. Defense Security Service (DSS), Department of Defence. n.d. "Cape Verde." http://www.dss.mil/nf/adr/formref/country2.htm [Accessed 23 Jan. 2003]