8. Annexes
8.1. ANNEX I: Historical Evolution of Côte d’Ivoire’s Nationality Laws and Regulations
Côte d’Ivoire’s nationality laws are amongst the most complex in Africa. This table provides a practical
overview of the evolution of Côte d’Ivoire’s nationality laws and regulations, highlighting key characteristics of
the progressive reforms.
Date
14.12.1961
Title of Law or Regulation
Law No. 61-415 enacting
the Ivorian Nationality Code
29.12.1961
Decree No. 61-425 of
29
December
1961
implementing the Ivorian
Nationality Code
25.4.1962
Interministerial Circular No.
31/MJ/CA 3 of 25 April 1962
7.10.1964
Law No. 64-381
October 1964
of
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Key Characteristics
Foundational law that defines Côte d’Ivoire’s nationality rules
and continues to provide the country’s nationality framework
to this day.
Divided into seven Titles:
Title I: presents general principles governing the law;
Title II: defines Ivorian “nationality by origin;”
Title III: establishes additional modes of acquisition of
Ivorian nationality:
Acquisition of nationality as a matter of right:
through adoption or marriage;
Acquisition of nationality by declaration;
Acquisition of nationality by decision of public
authority (naturalization and reacquisition);
Title IV: defines rules pertaining to loss and deprivation
of Ivorian nationality;
Title V: establishes procedural rules regarding acquisition
or loss of Ivorian nationality;
Title VI: establishes the role of courts in nationality
matters, as well as establishing nationality certificates
issued by courts as the only legal form of proof of Ivorian
nationality;
Title VII: discusses transitory provisions.
Provides instructions on procedures for filing declarations
related to renunciation, loss, or reacquisition of Ivorian
nationality;
Designates competent jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice for
matters of naturalization and reacquisition of Ivorian
nationality.
An Annex to the 1961 implementing decree provides official
model formats which must be used for naturalization and
reacquisition of nationality.
Establishes the courts’ territorial jurisdiction over the issuance
of certificates of nationality and the responsibility of the
Ministry of Justice over these certificates.
Annex B provides approximately a dozen official models of
certificates of nationality that are the required official
templates for nationality certificates. Pursuant to this law, the
nationality certificates must indicate at the top of the
document the precise legal mode according to which the
titleholder possesses or has acquired Ivorian nationality.
Amended Articles 11 and 21 of the 1961 Nationality Code in
light of developments in related civil laws relating to a
person’s name, marital status, divorce and legal separation
paternity and filiation, adoption, succession and inheritance
matters.
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