Belizean Roots, What's Your Nationality?

If your parents are from Belize, you are a Belizean citizen by descent. According to the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161, any individual born in Belize is automatically a Belizean citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Additionally, individuals born outside of Belize with at least one Belizean parent are also considered Belizean citizens by descent. To acquire citizenship, applicants must reside in Belize for at least five years and submit the necessary documentation.

If you were born in Belize

If you are a citizen of Belize, you are also a Commonwealth citizen. This means that you have the right to obtain a Belize passport. To acquire citizenship, you must first have been a resident or have permanent residency status for a minimum of five years. After this period, you can submit an application for citizenship, which is usually processed within six months but can take up to a year or more. Once you have citizenship, you can apply for a passport.

If you are a Belizean citizen, you may also be eligible for British nationality. This is because Belize was a British colony until 1981, when it became an independent Commonwealth country. If you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother or father is British, then you may be able to claim British nationality and the right to hold a British passport.

Belizean nationality law is regulated by the 1981 Constitution of Belize, the Belizean Nationality Act, and various British Nationality laws. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Belize. Belizean nationality is typically obtained either by descent or registration. Descent relies on the principles of jus soli (by birth in Belize) or under the rules of jus sanguinis (by birth abroad to parents with Belizean nationality). Registration applies to obtaining nationality after birth.

If one of your parents is a citizen of Belize

To apply for citizenship by descent, you need to submit a Nationality Application Form, along with proof of your Belizean lineage. This can be in the form of your parent's Belizean passport, birth certificate, or nationality certificate, along with a Belizean identification card. If your parent is deceased, you will need to provide a death certificate. You will also need to submit four passport-sized photos with specific dimensions (2 x 2 inches).

In addition to the documents mentioned above, you may be required to submit additional paperwork, such as a birth certificate, if there are any inconsistencies with your name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth on any of your supporting documents. If you are a minor, you will need to provide a passport from your country of origin or an apostilled birth certificate.

It is important to note that there may be specific requirements and procedures to follow when applying for citizenship by descent, so it is recommended to consult the official channels and seek guidance from the relevant authorities.

If you have a grandparent who is a citizen of Belize

It is important to note that citizenship by descent also applies if one of your parents is a citizen of Belize. In this case, it does not matter when you were born, as long as it was outside of Belize.

In addition to citizenship by descent, there are other ways to obtain Belizean citizenship. These include citizenship by registration, permanent residence, and marriage to a Belizean national. For citizenship by registration, applicants must be adults of legal capacity and good character. They must also meet certain residency requirements and take an Oath of Allegiance upon approval.

For citizenship through permanent residence, individuals must have held permanent residence status in Belize for a minimum of five years. They must also demonstrate financial stability and have no criminal convictions that could have resulted in a sentence of one year or more of imprisonment.

Finally, citizenship through marriage is another option. Foreigners who marry a Belizean national can apply for citizenship, which is usually granted within one year. This option also grants automatic residency status to the applicant.

If you are married to a Belizean citizen

To apply for citizenship by marriage, you must submit the following documents:

• Citizenship Application Form: All sections of the form must be completed.
• Spouse's proof of Belizean citizenship: This can be in the form of a birth certificate, a Belizean identification card (either a Voter's Identification Card or Social Security Card), or a Belize Nationality Certificate.
• Valid passport from the country of origin.
• Police record from Belize or the country where you have resided for the past six months or more: The police record is only valid for six months from the date of issue.
• Medical Certificate and Tests: This includes an HIV test and a VDRL test performed by a medical laboratory in Belize, as well as a Preliminary Medical Examination Form signed and stamped by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize.
• Referees' Identification: You are required to identify two Belizeans who will serve as references and have known you for a minimum of one year. They must provide proof of identification in the form of a Voter's Identification Card or a Birth Certificate and Social Security Card.
• Declaration of Renunciation: Only Indian Nationals are required to submit a Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship.
• Letter of Financial Support: Women who are dependent on their spouse must provide a letter of financial support completed and signed by their husband.

It is important to note that the penalty for marriage fraud is severe and can result in prison, fines, deportation, and a lifetime ban from obtaining legal status.

If you have permanent residency status

After five years of permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship by registration. During those five years, you cannot have spent more than 30 consecutive days out of the country, nor more than three months in total during any 12-month period. The only exception to this rule is if the purpose of your extended travel was for employment in Belize or for medical and health reasons.

The process of applying for citizenship begins with submitting the required documents at any immigration office in Belize. The documentation requirements for citizenship applications are less stringent than those for permanent residency. Once your documents have been submitted, you will be invited to an interview at Immigration, along with any dependents and the two Belizean-born citizens that you listed as references on your application.

Following the interview, your application will be vetted by the Nationality Department. Once this process is complete, you will be contacted to return to the Immigration office to pay the citizenship fee of $150. At this point, you will be given the date and location of your swearing-in ceremony, where you will receive your Belize Nationality Certificate.

Belize allows dual citizenship, so you will not have to give up your original citizenship when you become a Belizean citizen.

Frequently asked questions