Key Facts
- Citizenship for Zonians is for people born in the former Canal Zone between 1904 and 1979, whom Panama recognizes as Panamanians by birth.
- The file includes the apostilled birth certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State, its Spanish translation, a passport copy, and a second ID, presented at the Panama Civil Registry.
- The U.S. Department of State holds the Canal Zone civil records, and each requested copy costs USD $50.
- A Panamanian American citizen can keep U.S. citizenship: Panama allows dual citizenship, and the United States does not recognize a renunciation unless it is made directly through the U.S. Department of State.
At Kraemer & Kraemer, our Panama Immigration attorneys guide people born in the Canal Zone through citizenship for Zonians, starting with the order placed at the U.S. Department of State and ending with the filing at the Panama Civil Registry. Zonians in Panama and Americans in Panama receive the same review of each document before it is filed.
How Panama Canal Zone Birth Citizenship Works
The Republic of Panama recognizes individuals born in the former Canal Zone between 1904 and 1979 as Panamanians by birth, which is the basis of Panama Canal Zone birth citizenship. To apply for citizenship for Zonians, those born in this area must follow the established procedures and submit the required documentation:
- Original of Birth Certificate (valid only for 6 months), issued by the U.S. Department of State. This document must be apostilled afterward
- Spanish translation of the birth certificate, issued by an authorized Panamanian translator
- Passport Copy
- Second identification, e.g., driver’s license
All documents must be presented to the Office of Foreign Registry and Judicial Acts at the Panama Civil Registry.
Because Panama treats Zonians as Panamanians by birth, anyone who completes the filing holds the status of a Panamanian American citizen. Many Americans in Panama ask about dual citizenship in Panama and the US before they file, and the FAQs below answer that question.
Obtaining the Canal Zone Birth Certificate for Zonians in Panama
Between 1904 and 1979, the Government of the Canal Zone (managed by the U.S.) registered all civil acts, births, marriage, and death records. In 1979, the Commission of the Panama Canal Zone (a joint effort between the U.S. and Panama) was created to govern all activities related to the Canal and it was responsible for all civil records of the Canal Zone.
However, the Commission ceased activities in December 1999. As a result, all civil records were transferred to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
The following documentation is necessary to obtain a birth certificate from the U.S. Department of State:
- Notarized letter requesting the birth certificate. This letter needs to include: full name at birth, any other names or aliases, date of birth, place of birth, full name of parents, current address and phone number
- Copy of a valid ID in the U.S.
- USD $50 Check, payable to the U.S. Department of State
All documents must be sent to:
- U.S. Department of State
- Passports Vital Records Section
- 44132 Mercure Cir.
- PO Box 1213
- Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Please note that each requested copy of a birth certificate has a cost of USD $50.00.
Costs of Citizenship for Zonians
The only fee Kraemer & Kraemer publishes for citizenship for Zonians is the one for each copy of the birth certificate, described in the section above. Other costs, such as the notarization of the request letter, the apostille, the authorized Spanish translation, and registration in Panama, are not included. Legal fees are paid separately, and the cost estimate button on this page gives you a figure for your case, whether you live in Panama or abroad.
