Who Can Get Panamanian Nationality by Birth?
A person becomes Panamanian through birth, naturalization, or constitutional provision. Panamanian nationality by birth covers jus soli, for anyone born in the national territory, and jus sanguinis, for the children of Panamanian parents abroad, in the cases listed in article 9 below.
Kraemer & Kraemer handles Panamanian nationality by birth for families whose child was born in Panama or abroad to a Panamanian parent. Our Panama immigration attorneys prepare the documents listed below and file the application, so a family can secure nationality for Panama on either basis.
How Panama Citizenship by Birth Works
According to article 9 of the Panama Political Constitution, Panamanian nationality by birth is granted to:
- Those born in the national territory.
- The children of a Panamanian father or mother by birth born outside the territory of the Republic, if they establish their domicile in the national territory.
- The children of a Panamanian father or mother by naturalization born outside the national territory, if they establish their domicile in the Republic of Panama and express their will to become Panamanian nationals at the latest one year after their majority.
The Panamanian nationality by birth or of origin is not lost, but the express or tacit renunciation of it will suspend the citizenship.
What Do Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis Mean?
Panama citizenship by birth rests on two legal principles. Jus soli (“the soil”) covers people born in the national territory (the first case of article 9). Jus sanguinis (“blood”), the basis of Panama citizenship by descent, reaches children whose Panamanian mother or father lives abroad when they are born (the second and third cases).
How the Panama Citizenship by Birth Jus Soli Rule Works
The Panama citizenship by birth jus soli rule gives Panamanian nationality by birth to anyone born in the national territory. The first case of article 9 asks for no domicile or declaration, and it does not require Panamanian parents. Those conditions appear only in the two cases for children born abroad.
Panama Citizenship by Descent for Children Born Abroad
Panama citizenship by descent covers someone born outside the country to a Panamanian parent. When the parent holds Panamanian status by birth, domicile in the national territory is the only condition. When the mother or father naturalized, the person must also settle in Panama and declare the will to be Panamanian no later than one year after reaching majority. The Constitution classes both routes as Panamanian nationality by birth. Start by gathering the documents that prove who the parent is under Panamanian law, since nationality for Panama through descent depends on them.
Compare the Three Routes to Nationality for Panama
The table compares the three routes to nationality for Panama under article 9, so you can see which one fits your child.
| Route | Who qualifies | Condition | Constitution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born in Panama (jus soli) | Anyone born in the national territory | None stated in article 9 | Article 9, number 1 |
| Parent Panamanian by birth (descent) | Child born outside Panama | Establish domicile in the national territory | Article 9, number 2 |
| Parent Panamanian by naturalization (descent) | Child born outside Panama | Establish domicile and express the will to be Panamanian no later than one year after the age of majority | Article 9, number 3 |
Process and Requirements
The requirements to apply for registration to grant Panamanian nationality by birth are:
- Authenticated or apostilled original Birth Certificate, issued by the Civil Registry Office or entity located in the place where the birth occurred. Said authenticated certificate must be countersigned or validated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Panama.
- Sworn declaration made by the parent of Panamanian nationality, before a public notary of the Republic of Panama.
- Certificate of residency, issued in the name of the parent of Panamanian nationality.
- Photocopy of National ID (cedula) or passport of the Panamanian parent, and photocopy of the passport of the foreign parent.
- The birth registration process can be carried out by either parent or grandparent without the need for any authorization.
- If the registration is requested through a legal representative, a notarized power of attorney and an application must be submitted.
- When applications are submitted for registration of several siblings, additional photocopies of the documents common to these siblings must be submitted.
Entities such as the Ministry of Government and Justice, Ministry of Public Services, Electoral Tribunal, Governor’s Office, and Presidency will review the application, and may require additional documentation, which may delay the process for internal reasons.
