Central African Republic
Last Updated: 2026-04-02
Official Portal: Government of the Central African Republic
Embassy Finder: Central African Republic Embassies Worldwide
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 5 years lawful residence (reduced to 2 years in certain cases) |
| Language requirement | French or Sango (working knowledge; no formal test) |
| Civics test | None |
| Processing time | Variable; administrative capacity is severely limited |
| Naturalization fee | Administrative fees |
| Dual citizenship | Not permitted |
| Citizenship by birth in CAR | Conditional jus soli (double jus soli) |
| Citizenship by descent | Through either parent (with historical patrilineal preference) |
| Governing law | Loi No. 61-212 of 27 May 1961 (Code de la Nationalite Centrafricaine), as amended |
Dual Citizenship
The Central African Republic does not permit dual citizenship. The 1961 Nationality Code provides that a Central African citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Central African citizenship. Naturalization applicants must renounce their prior nationality.
In practice: The CAR’s prolonged instability (civil conflicts from 2012 onwards, with multiple transitional governments and ongoing armed group activity) has severely degraded the state’s administrative capacity. Enforcement of the dual citizenship prohibition is minimal because the civil registry system barely functions in most of the country outside Bangui. Many Central Africans in the diaspora — principally in France, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo — hold multiple passports without consequence.
Despite the 2022 adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender (subsequently reversed in practice), the CAR has not moved toward liberalizing nationality law.
Diaspora: The Central African diaspora is concentrated in France, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many diaspora members hold foreign nationality, technically triggering loss of Central African citizenship, but the government lacks the administrative capacity to enforce this provision.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
The CAR applies a conditional double jus soli provision:
- A child born in the CAR to at least one parent who was also born in the CAR acquires Central African nationality at birth.
- A child born in the CAR who would otherwise be stateless acquires nationality at birth.
- Birth on Central African territory alone, to two foreign parents neither of whom was born there, does not confer nationality automatically.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
- A child born to a Central African father acquires nationality at birth, regardless of place of birth.
- A child born to a Central African mother may also acquire nationality, though the original 1961 Code contained patrilineal preferences. Subsequent amendments and constitutional equality provisions have moved toward gender-neutral transmission, but the practical application varies.
- Filiation must be legally established.
- There is no statutory generational limit on descent.
By Adoption
A minor child adopted through full adoption (adoption pleniere) by a Central African citizen acquires Central African nationality. Simple adoption does not automatically confer nationality.
By Marriage
A foreign woman who marries a Central African man may acquire nationality by declaration. The declaration must be filed at the time of marriage or within a specified period. The government may oppose the declaration.
A foreign man who marries a Central African woman does not benefit from a comparable pathway and must naturalize through the standard process. This gender disparity remains unreformed.
Marriage in the CAR context: Given the widespread displacement and the presence of large refugee populations (particularly from South Sudan and the DRC), cross-border marriages are common. The nationality consequences of such marriages are often unclear in practice, particularly when the civil registry cannot process declarations.
By Naturalization
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 5 years of habitual residence in the CAR (2 years for persons who have rendered exceptional services) |
| Good character | No criminal convictions; good morals and conduct |
| Health | Sound physical and mental health |
| Means of subsistence | Must demonstrate economic self-sufficiency |
| Integration | Demonstrated assimilation into Central African society |
| Language | Working knowledge of French or Sango |
| Renunciation | Must renounce prior nationality |
| Fee | Administrative charges |
| Decision | By decree of the President of the Republic |
Given the country’s administrative challenges, naturalization applications may take years to process — if they are processed at all. The civil registry in the CAR is one of the weakest in Africa.
Conflict and nationality: The CAR has been in a state of conflict or post-conflict instability since the Seleka rebellion of 2012-2013. Armed groups control large portions of the territory, and millions of persons have been internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries (Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo). For displaced Central Africans, proving nationality through documentation is often impossible because civil registries have been destroyed. The UNHCR and ICRC have identified the CAR as one of the countries at highest risk of conflict-driven statelessness in Africa.
Sango as a national language: The CAR is one of the few African countries where an indigenous African language (Sango) has true national lingua franca status alongside the colonial language (French). The acceptance of Sango for nationality purposes reflects this unique linguistic situation.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary renunciation: A Central African citizen who has acquired another nationality may renounce by declaration. The renunciation must not render the person stateless.
Involuntary loss:
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Voluntary acquisition of foreign nationality | Automatic loss |
| Fraud | Nationality obtained by fraud may be annulled |
| Acts against the state | Conviction for treason or acts against the CAR’s interests |
| Unauthorized foreign military service | Without governmental authorization |
Restoration of Nationality
Former Central African citizens who lost nationality may apply for restoration by decree. The process follows a pathway similar to naturalization. In practice, restoration applications are rare given the country’s weak administrative infrastructure.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- A child found in the CAR (foundling) is presumed Central African until proven otherwise.
- A child born in the CAR to stateless parents acquires nationality.
- The CAR faces significant statelessness risks due to the collapse of civil registry systems during prolonged conflict. Many persons born in the country cannot obtain documentation proving their nationality.
- The CAR has not ratified the 1954 or 1961 Statelessness Conventions.
- UNHCR and UNICEF have active programs in the CAR to support civil registration and birth certification, which are fundamental prerequisites for establishing nationality.
- The 2015 Bangui Forum and subsequent peace agreements have included provisions on identity documentation as part of broader reconciliation and governance reform.
Document Checklist
Completed nationality application form
Birth certificate (original + certified copy; obtaining this may be extremely difficult due to civil registry damage)
Valid passport or identity document
Proof of 5 years habitual residence in the CAR
Criminal record clearance (casier judiciaire)
Medical certificate of good health
Proof of means of subsistence or employment
Marriage certificate (if applying via marriage)
Proof of renunciation of prior nationality
Two passport-size photographs
Sources
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Loi No. 61-212 du 27 mai 1961 — Code de la Nationalite Centrafricaine, as amended. https://www.gouvernement-centrafrique.com/
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Constitution of the Central African Republic — Nationality provisions. https://www.gouvernement-centrafrique.com/
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UNHCR Refworld — Central African Republic nationality law profiles. https://www.refworld.org/
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Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Country profile for the Central African Republic. https://globalcit.eu/
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International Crisis Group — Reports on conflict, displacement, and identity in the CAR. https://www.crisisgroup.org/
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UNHCR — Central African Republic displacement and statelessness situation reports. https://www.unhcr.org/
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UNICEF — Birth registration and civil documentation programs in the CAR. https://www.unicef.org/
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Bangui Forum (2015) — Peace, reconciliation, and identity documentation provisions. National archives.