CO N S I D E R AT I O N S W H E N E STA B L I S H I N G A STAT E L E SS N E SS D E T E R M I N AT I O N P RO C E D U R E S tates have broad discretion in the design and operation of statelessness determination procedures. When establishing a statelessness determination procedure, States need to keep in mind that… … although the 1954 Convention does not prescribe a particular pro‑ cedure, formalizing a procedure in law ensures fairness, transparency and efficiency. … a centralized procedure is preferable as it is more likely to develop the necessary expertise among deci‑ sion makers. … some stateless persons may also be refugees. Therefore, States may consider combining statelessness and refugee determination in the same procedure. Confidentiality requirements for applications by asylum‑seekers and refugees must be respected regardless of the form or location of the statelessness de‑ termination procedure. … it is not easy for people to prove that they are stateless. Most of the time, stateless persons have no docu‑ ments or other evidence to prove that they are not considered a national by any State. In light of this, both the applicant and the determination authority must cooperate to obtain evidence to establish the facts. Au‑ thorities undertaking statelessness determination must consider all available evidence, oral or written, regarding an individual claim. This may include the analysis of national‑ ity laws of other countries and how they are applied. S t a t e l e ss n e ss D e t e r m i n a t i o n P r o c e d u r e s 5