Jordan issues two different ordinary passports, and the difference is not cosmetic. One carries a national number and confers the full privileges of Jordanian nationality. The other is issued without a national number, to Palestinians of East Jerusalem who cannot obtain a Palestinian passport, and it functions as a travel document rather than proof of nationality.
Quick facts
Passports issued to residents of the Gaza Strip are marked as such on the last page and valid for up to five years. Families in these categories should establish exactly which document they hold before making plans that depend on nationality.
The documents compared
| Document | Issued to | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary passport with national number | Jordanian citizens | Full nationality privileges |
| Ordinary passport without national number | Palestinians of East Jerusalem | Travel document, not nationality |
| Passport marked for Gaza residents | Gaza Strip residents in Jordan | Up to five years |
| Temporary residence card | Gaza residents living in Jordan | Separate procedure |
| Bridge cards | Holders crossing from the West Bank | Produced with the application |
This is one of the more consequential distinctions in this directory, because two people holding what look like the same passport can have entirely different rights. If you are unsure which you hold, look for the national number before anything else.
What to do
- Check whether your passport carries a national number.
- If it does, you hold full Jordanian nationality and the ordinary procedures apply.
- If it does not, take advice specific to your status before relying on it as proof of nationality.
- Locate the family passport file, or prepare the nationality and residence evidence where none exists.
- Ensure children have identity cards and national numbers from age 16 where they qualify.
- For questions about status, consult a lawyer rather than general guidance.
Required documents
- Current passport, checked for a national number.
- Identity card.
- Family book.
- Bridge cards or Palestinian and Israeli documents where held.
- Evidence of nationality and residence under the nationality law where no family file exists.
- Guardianship instruments where applicable.
Where to apply
At the embassy in Washington or a Jordanian consular office; decisions on status rest with the authorities in Jordan.
Additional notes
Check for the number first
It is the single fact that determines which set of rules applies to you, and it takes a moment to verify.
These are contested questions
Status for Palestinians holding Jordanian documents is a long-standing and legally complex area. A directory can describe the categories; it cannot advise on an individual case.
Children
A child’s position generally follows the family file. Establish it before assuming what documents they can obtain.
Take proper advice
Where anything about your status is unclear, a lawyer experienced in Jordanian nationality matters is the right source.