Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 1979, as amended to 1995
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) A person who, immediately before the effective date of this Constitution, was a citizen of the Trust Territory shall on that date become a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, if he or either of his parents has land rights.2
    (2) A person born on or after the effective date of this Constitution shall be a citizen of the Republic if:
    (a) at the date of his birth, either of his parents is a citizen of the Republic; or
    (b) he is born in the Republic and is not at his birth entitled to be or become a citizen of any other country.
    … (Art. XI, Sec. 1)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    (1) Unless disqualified pursuant to paragraph (3) of this Section, any person who is not a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall become a citizen by registration if, upon application, the High Court is satisfied either:
    (a) that he has land rights; or
    (b) that he has been resident in the Republic for not less than 3 years, and is the parent of a child who is a citizen of the Republic; or
    (c) that he is of Marshallese descent, and that in the interests of justice his application should be granted.
    ... (Art. XI, Sec. 2)
Citizenship and Nationality
  • English
    The Nitijela may make provision by Act:
    (a) for the acquisition of citizenship of the Republic of the Marshall Islands by registration in cases not falling within Section 2 of this Article;
    (b) for the acquisition of citizenship of the Republic by naturalization;
    (c) for depriving of citizenship of the Republic, consistently with Article II,3 any class of persons who are citizens of the Republic only by reason of provision made by Act pursuant to this Section;
    (d) for depriving of citizenship of the Republic any class of persons who are citizens of the Republic and are or have become citizens of another country otherwise than by marriage; or
    (e) for the express renunciation by any person of citizenship of the Republic. (Art. XI, Sec. 3)
1
Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 1979, as amended to 1995 (English), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2019).
Links to all sites last visited 31 March 2021
2
According to Art. XIV, Sec. 1: “In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires: … ‘Land rights’ mean any right in any land in the Republic under the customary law or any traditional practice: …”
3
Article II on Bill of Rights.
4, 5
4 - According to Art. XIV, Sec. 1: “In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires: … ‘Land rights’ mean any right in any land in the Republic under the customary law or any traditional practice: …”5 - According to Art. XIV, Sec. 1: “In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires: … ‘Customary law’ means any custom having the force of law in the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and includes any Act declaring the customary law; …”
6, 7
6 - Article II on Bill of Rights.7 - Article XIII on Transitional.
8
According to Art. XIV, Sec. 1: “In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires: … ‘Customary law’ means any custom having the force of law in the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and includes any Act declaring the customary law; …”
9
According to Art. XIV, Sec. 1: “In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires: … ‘Land rights’ mean any right in any land in the Republic under the customary law or any traditional practice: …”
10, 11
10 - Article II on Bill of Rights.11 - Article XIII on Transitional.