The constitution and laws of Belize
CITIZENSHIP
18. The following categories of person, being citizens of the United
Kingdom an Colonies immediately before the day of independence, shall
automatically become citizens of Belize on the day of independence:
i. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies born in Belize;
ii. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies born outside Belize, one of
whose parents was born in Belize;
iii. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies born outside Belize, one of
whose grandparents was born in Belize, provided they have no other
citizenship;
iv. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies registered or naturalized as
such in Belize;
v. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, one of whose parents was
registered or naturalized as such in Belize;
vi. citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, one of Whose grandparents was
registered or naturalized as such in Belize, provided they have no other
citizenship;
vii. women who became citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of
marriage to any person falling within any of categories i), vi) above.
19. With effect from the day of independence, the following persons may upon
application be registered as a citizen of Belize:
a. the spouse of a Belizean citizen;
b. any other person who has been resident continuously in Belize for a period
of five years (whether before or after independence) immediately prior to the
day of making application.
20. On and after the day of independence every person born in Belize shall
become a Belizean citizen at the date of his birth save for children of person
with diplomatic immunity or of enemy aliens during a period of hostile
occupation. Moreover, a person born of a citizen of Belize, who acquired that
citizenship otherwise than by descent, shall become a Belizean citizen on the
date of his birth.
21. Any person who is a Belizean citizen shall forfeit such citizenship by any
voluntary act (other than marriage) by which he acquires a citizenship other
than Belizean.
22. The Constitution will contain a provision enabling the National Assembly to
provide by law for such matters as the acquisition of citizenship by persons
who are not eligible to become citizens under the Constitution, the deprivation
of citizenship, and the renunciation of citizenship.
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