Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe 2013, as amended to 2023
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) Persons are Zimbabwean citizens by birth, descent or registration.
    … (Sec. 35)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) Persons are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if they were born in Zimbabwe and, when they were born—
    (a) either their mother or their father was a Zimbabwean citizen; or
    (b) any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent.
    (2) Persons born outside Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if, when they were born, either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen and—
    (a) ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe; or
    (b) working outside Zimbabwe for the State or an international organisation.
    (3) A child found in Zimbabwe who is, or appears to be, less than fifteen years of age, and whose nationality and parents are not known, is presumed to be a Zimbabwean citizen by birth. (Sec. 36)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    Subject to section 36(2), persons born outside Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean citizens by descent if, when they were born—
    (a) either of their parents or any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent; or
    (b) either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen by registration;
    and the birth is registered in Zimbabwe in accordance with the law relating to the registration of births. (Sec. 37)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) Any person who has been married to a Zimbabwean citizen for at least five years, whether before or after the effective date, and who satisfies the conditions prescribed by an Act of Parliament, is entitled, on application, to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen.
    (2) Any person who has been continuously and lawfully resident in Zimbabwe for at least ten years, whether before or after the effective date, and who satisfies the conditions prescribed by an Act of Parliament, is entitled, on application, to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen.
    (3) A child who is not a Zimbabwean citizen, but is adopted by a Zimbabwean citizen, whether before or after the effective date, is entitled, on application, to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen. (Sec. 38)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    Zimbabwean citizenship is not lost through marriage or the dissolution of marriage. (Sec. 40)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    An Act of Parliament may make provision, consistent with this Chapter2, for—
    (a) procedures by which Zimbabwean citizenship by registration may be acquired;
    (b) the voluntary renunciation of Zimbabwean citizenship;
    (c) procedures for the revocation of Zimbabwean citizenship by registration;
    (d) the restoration of Zimbabwean citizenship;
    (e) the prohibition of dual citizenship in respect of citizens by descent or registration; and
    (f) generally giving effect to this Chapter. (Sec. 42)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) Every person who, immediately before the effective date, was a Zimbabwean citizen continues to be a Zimbabwean citizen after that date.
    (2) Every person who was born in Zimbabwe before the effective date is a Zimbabwean citizen by birth if—
    (a) one or both of his or her parents was a citizen of a country which became a member of the Southern African Development Community established by the treaty signed at Windhoek in the Republic of Namibia on the 17th August, 1992; and
    (b) he or she was ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe on the effective date. (Sec. 43)
1

Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe 2013, as amended to 2023 (English). According to Sec. 6(1): “The following languages, namely Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa, are the officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe.”

Links to all sites last visited 11 April 2024
2
Chapter 3 on Citizenship.
3
Fifth Schedule on Procedure as to Bills and Other Matters in Parliament (Sections 130 and 131).
4
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
5
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
6
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
7
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
8
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
9
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
10
Second Schedule on Limitations on Rights during Public Emergencies (Section 87).
11
Chapter 14 on Provincial and Local Government.
12
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.
13
Chapter 4 on Declaration of Rights.