Procedure for Changing Citizenship in Kazakhstan: Law Enforcement Insights
Responding to Queries About Altering One's Recorded Nationality
Nationality, written in passports and ID cards, is typically determined by the nationality of the individual's parents. If parents have disparate nationalities, the person can opt for one and, in certain cases, switch to the other parent's nationality using a birth certificate as evidence.
However, there are exceptions for Kazakh citizens who were forcibly resettled during the repression era. They may amend their nationality based on rehabilitation certificates issued in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan's Law "On the Rehabilitation of Victims of Mass Political Repressions."
Disputes regarding the modification of nationality records in passports and ID cards are resolved via Kazakhstan's legal system, primarily through the courts.
People wishing to change their recorded nationality must submit a written note, their birth certificate, and, in some instances, a rehabilitation certificate.
But it's important to note that Kazakhstan's Soviet-era nationality system often conflated ethnicity with citizenship. While ethnicity might still appear in some documents, official nationality primarily represents citizenship. Changing ethnicity records, such as from "Russian" to "Kazakh" or vice versa, requires a formal request to the Ministry of Justice or Civil Registry Office (ZAGS), usually necessitating proof of ancestry.
Kazakhstan does not permit dual citizenship, except for minors under specific conditions. To acquire or renounce citizenship, foreigners must reside in Kazakhstan for at least five years, pass language and history tests, and renounce their previous citizenship. Alternatively, citizens can submit an application to the President of Kazakhstan, pay fees, and offer evidence of alternative citizenship to avoid statelessness.
Historical deportations or recent policies may affect ancestry claims. Obtaining archival records from Kazakhstan’s State Archives can help support citizenship or reparative ethnicity claims. Ethnic Kazakhs participating in repatriation programs can fast-track citizenship, but they must provide proof of lineage.
Recent developments include Putin’s May 2023 decree, which simplified the naturalization process for Kazakh citizens in Russia, exempting them from residency periods and language tests. This offers an alternative for dual affiliations, though Kazakhstan might view such actions as grounds for citizenship revocation.
Navigating these processes can be complex, so it's advisable to consult legal experts, as requirements are case-specific and subject to bureaucratic discretion. Key agencies include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, ZAGS, and the State Service for Migration.
- Kazakhstani citizens who were resettled during the repression era can amend their nationality based on rehabilitation certificates issued in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan's Law "On the Rehabilitation of Victims of Mass Political Repressions."
- In certain cases, people with Kazakhstani nationality can switch to their other parent's nationality using a birth certificate as evidence.
- Residents of Pavlograd, who hold the Kazakhstani nationality, may now benefit from Putin’s May 2023 decree, which simplified the naturalization process for Kazakh citizens in Russia, exempting them from residency periods and language tests.
- To change ethnicity records in Kazakhstan, such as from "Russian" to "Kazakh" or vice versa, ethnic Kazakhs must submit a formal request to the Ministry of Justice or Civil Registry Office (ZAGS), often requiring proof of ancestry.
