[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

PERU

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of Peru dated October 31, 1993, and Nationality Law No.26574 dated January, 1996.

BY BIRTH: Persons born in the territory of the Republic of Peru are citizens; eligible for registration at age 18. Person younger than 16 years old, in a state of abandonment, who reside in the territory of Peru.

BY DESCENT: Child born abroad, whose father or mother is a citizen of Peru. The granted right of citizenship by descent is recognized to the descendants until the third generation.

REGISTRATION: Foreign woman or man who marries a citizen of Peru; the spouse naturalized by marriage does not lose Peruvian nationality in the event of divorce or the spouse's death. Person (18 years or older), born in Peru, but whose parents were not citizens of Peru. Person (18 years or older), born in wedlock outside of Peru to Peruvian mother or father.

BY NATURALIZATION: Peruvian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has resided in Peru for two consecutive years. Works regularly in a professional, artistic, occupational, or managerial activity. Possesses good behavior and moral solvency with no penal antecedents. Foreign persons who live in the territory of the Republic, with distinguished services to the

Peruvian Nation, may be granted citizenship by legislative resolution.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: RECOGNIZED. Peruvians by birth who adopt the nationality of another country do not lose their Peruvian nationality unless they express renunciation before competent government authority.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP: Acquired Peruvian nationality granted under Nationality Law No.26574 is lost for expressed renunciation before the General Address of Migrations or consular offices overseas, and for the following reasons: For crimes against the State and the national defense. For crimes against the Public Security by illicit traffic of drugs. For crimes of terrorism and betrayal of the nation.

Peruvians by birth who adopt the nationality of another country do not lose their Peruvian nationality unless they express renunciation before competent government authority.

Other information, relating to Voluntary or Involuntary loss of citizenship, was not provided.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

The Embassy of Peru Consular Section 1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036

Consular Telephone: 202-462-1084 or 1085 Consular Fax: 202-462-1088

Copyright (C) 2002-2007 All rights reserved.