Navigating the path to Iraqi citizenship can be a significant journey, especially for individuals born in the USA with Iraqi heritage. If your father was born in Iraq, you may be eligible to obtain official Iraqi citizenship, marking an important step in reconnecting with your roots and heritage. This article will guide you through the process, highlighting essential requirements and steps to help you achieve this milestone.
In the case that the child is born to a non-Iraqi father and an Iraqi mother, the Iraqi birth certificate can only be issued in Iraq.
You will need to bring the following to an in-person appointment at an Iraqi consulate/embassy in the USA or send via USPS. The process can be carried out at the Consular Section of the Embassy in Washington, or at the Detroit or Los Angeles Consulates..
- Your Birth certificate – authenticated by the Secretary of State (known as an “apostille”, will take 1 week to return to you) – original certificate plus three colored copies and original authentication plus three colored copies
- Note, if father’s name on birth certificate does not match the father’s name on his Iraqi identification, it will cause issues, but if you are able to speak with the Consulate’s staff, they might accept it
- Also note, your name on your Iraqi birth certificate will be your name, your father’s name, and your grandfather’s name
- Parents’ Iraq IDs – original plus two colored copies of each
- Note, the most important document is the Father’s “Hawiya” (ID) or “Sijil Nufus” (Family ID). his “Jinsia” (citizenship document) or “Jawaz” (passport) will not work – they need the father’s ID number which is not in those documents. If the father does not have the ID number, the father must obtain it before the child can start their Iraqi citizenship path.
- Parents’ Iraq Marriage certificate OR if the Parents got married in the USA, Parents’ USA Marriage Certificate authenticated by the Secretary of State (apostille) – original certificate plus two colored copies, and original of each authentication plus two colored copies of each
- Cash Fee (e.g. $38.50 at Los Angeles Consulate)
- Filled out Application Form signed by Father (Los Angeles, Washington DC, Detroit)
Sources
- https://mofa.gov.iq/losangeles/en/issuing-iraqi-birth-certificate/
- https://www.iraqiembassy.us/page/requirements-for-requesting-birth-certificates
- https://mofa.gov.iq/detroit/?page_id=548&lang=en
- Process completed in Los Angeles
Article by Anthony Narsi
