Tunisia permits dual nationality, and since the reform of its nationality law a Tunisian mother transmits nationality to her children on the same terms as a father. That change matters to a great many families in the United States whose Tunisian parent is the mother.
Quick facts
Dual nationals are expected to enter and leave Tunisia on the Tunisian passport. And men of the relevant ages should establish their position on national service before travelling, since being treated as Tunisian carries whatever obligations Tunisian law attaches.
The sequence
| Step | What it produces | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tunisian birth certificate | Proof of the family link | $5 at the embassy |
| Consular registration | Recognition as a national abroad | $12, over 18 |
| Identity card or pledge form | Tunisian identification | $8 for the form |
| Passport | Travel document | Published tariff |
| Registering a child born here | Entry in the Tunisian record | Ask the embassy |
For a child born in the United States, the parents’ Tunisian documents establish the link, and the notarised parent’s authorisation at $8 is what allows a minor’s file to proceed.
How to proceed
- Establish which parent holds Tunisian documents and obtain a recent birth certificate.
- Complete consular registration for the adults in the family.
- Sort out identity cards, using the pledge form where none was ever held.
- File the minors’ documents with the notarised parental authorisation.
- For men, establish the national service position before planning travel.
- Apply for passports once the records are in order.
Required documents
- Recent Tunisian birth certificate.
- Parents’ Tunisian identity cards, two copies of each side.
- Proof of legal status in the United States.
- Notarised parental authorisation for minors.
- Marriage certificate where applicable.
- Money orders naming sender and recipient.
Where to apply
At the embassy in Washington or the consulate general in New York.
Additional notes
Through the mother as well
The reform ended the older rule that limited transmission through mothers. If a family was told years ago that the children did not qualify, it is worth asking again.
National service
Men should resolve this before travelling rather than at the airport. A lawyer or the consulate can explain the current position.
Travel documents
Enter and leave Tunisia on the Tunisian passport and the United States on the U.S. one.
Property in Tunisia
Rules on foreign ownership differ from those for nationals, so citizenship status interacts with any purchase or inheritance.