CITIZENSHIP AND STATELESSNESS IN THE MEMBER STATES OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 2020
Table 3: Adopted children
COUNTRY
AUTO.
ANGOLA
BOTSWANA
OPT.
DISC
NO
.
PROVISION
x
x
x
COMOROS
C2005Art43(5)
ZIMBABWE !!
C1993(2018)Art11
x
Five years residence,
government can oppose
the declaration;
legitimising adoption also
applies
L1960(2017)Art17
Gender discrimination if
joint adoption
C1968(1995)Art3
-
x
x
C2004Art29
x
Becomes citizen by
descent
x
L1990Art2(2)(b)
L1994(2013)Art 3
x
Birth must be registered
under B&DRA
x
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA !!
-
x
SOUTH AFRICA
L1998(2004)Art7-8
L2004Arts13(2)&17
MALAWI
SEYCHELLES
L2016Art12
x
MADAGASCAR
MOZAMBIQUE !!
NAMIBIA
Parents must request, and
at 14 years old the
adopted child must show
desire to obtain
nationality
Automatic only if under 3
yrs old; if more than 3 yrs
old discretionary based
on “good character”
x
LESOTHO
MAURITIUS
LEGAL PROVISION
x
DRC
ESWATINI
COMMENTS
-
x
x
x
L1995(2010)Art3
Constitution states
automatic at date of
adoption; law requires
application and proof of
lawful residence of the
child
Constitution states
application required; law
provides for automatic
acquisition if adopting
father a citizen
C2016Art38
L2016Art19
C2013Art38(3)
L1984(2003)Art7(4)
Auto.: Acquisition of nationality automatic on completion of adoption formalities
Opt.: Child has the right to opt for nationality
Disc: Child can apply for nationality, award is discretionary
!! Constitution and law conflict, constitutional provisions noted here
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UNHCR / December, 2020