PRACTICAL GUIDE ON NATIONALITY In the case of a person who claims to hold a nationality but has never (or not for a long time) resided in their country of nationality, the topics to explore during the personal interview will need to be carefully adapted. They should include, if applicable, the reasons behind the applicant’s long residency abroad (migratory history), family ties, contacts with the diaspora, potential interactions with the consulate authorities (notably procedures to obtain documents) and contacts with public authorities in the country of origin (e.g. to establish proof of birth, marriage, death of parents). For an applicant who claims to be stateless, you can ask questions regarding their specific situation as a stateless person in their country of former habitual residence in addition to questions about the country itself. This can include, if applicable, their family history, specific documents or administrative procedures or social services that are only applicable to stateless persons, rights and limitations in the country of origin and specific events that affected their community in particular. Examples of topics to explore to determine statelessness and country of former habitual residence • Descent and civil status (married, divorced). • Place and circumstances of birth or adoption. • Administrative steps taken by the parents to register birth or adoption with competent authorities and their result. • Applicant’s perception of having acquired or lost a nationality. • Situation of family members (present and past), including (migratory) history, (e.g. (in)ability to reunite with family members). • Ethnic origin linked to known discriminatory practices. • Situation of stateless persons of similar background. • Attempts or impossibility to obtain identity or travel documents. • Rights enjoyed and limitations faced in the examined country (e.g. access to social welfare, education, right to vote, right to inheritance). • Place of residence (e.g. camps, border areas, detention, attempted expulsion by national authorities). In addition to the specific topics above, the Indicators of nationality (or lack thereof) mentioned in Section 3.1. based on the modes of acquisition can serve as a basis to inform further topics to explore during the personal interview. Related EUAA publication For guidance on how to conduct the personal interview, see EASO, Practical Guide: Personal interview, December 2014. 45