Kuwait begins comprehensive review of past citizenship renunciation cases
Kuwait has begun a comprehensive re-examination of all past citizenship renunciation cases to determine whether previous decisions were legally sound and whether each case involved dual nationality or constituted forgery.
According to the sources, the distinction between dual citizenship and forgery is critical. Dual citizenship applies when the name on an individual’s Kuwaiti nationality certificate matches that on their second nationality — Gulf, Arab, or foreign — including the same structure of the father’s, grandfather’s, and family name.
Forgery, however, is established when there is a clear discrepancy between the Kuwaiti name and the name on the second nationality, particularly in the father’s and family names, indicating intentional alteration or concealment of identity, informed sources told Al-Rai daily.
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The sources noted that, in past years, individuals found to hold a second nationality were summoned and given the choice of relinquishing either their Kuwaiti citizenship or the other nationality.
This practice, they stressed, contradicts the law, which clearly states that acquiring another nationality automatically leads to the loss of Kuwaiti citizenship—without requiring a “choice” procedure.
Authorities are now conducting a full audit of all previous renunciation cases, applying strict legal and technical standards to verify each individual’s identity and determine whether their case involves duplication or forgery.
Those found to have falsified information will face full legal action, including citizenship withdrawal and referral to the competent authorities.
The review has already uncovered cases where the Nationality Department previously classified files as dual nationality, even though audits show they were outright forgery. Such errors represent a double legal violation, the sources said.
The earlier “choice” mechanism, they added, was merely a customary practice. Many individuals simply signed a statement declaring their intention to renounce their foreign nationality, without completing formal procedures or providing proof.
This allowed some dual nationals and forgers to keep and even use the second nationality despite signing renunciation documents.
The current review involves a detailed comparison of all renunciation files, with emphasis on cases where Kuwaiti and foreign names do not match—an indicator of potential forgery.
Authorities are also considering whether the second nationality was acquired voluntarily, as the law requires, or involuntarily, such as through birth or through decisions made by a foreign parent without the individual’s consent.
Cases involving involuntary acquisition — such as children granted their mother’s foreign nationality or nationals who acquired another citizenship by birth — are being evaluated with care and fairness.
These individuals have the right, upon reaching adulthood, to renounce the foreign nationality and retain their Kuwaiti citizenship.
The sources emphasized that each case is being examined with precision to ensure the law is correctly applied before any action is taken.
