The Djibouti Citizenship Act is governed by the Constitution of Djibouti as amended and the Djibouti citizenship code. These laws determine who is or has the right to be a Djibouti citizen. The legal means of acquiring citizenship, formal legal membership in a nation, are different from the internal relations of rights and obligations between a citizen and a nation, known as citizenship.

Djibouti citizenship is usually obtained on the principle of jus soli, that is, by birth in Djibouti, or jus sanguinis, born abroad to parents with Djibouti citizenship. It can be granted to persons who belong to the country, or to permanent residents who have lived in the country for a certain period of time by naturalization.

Dual citizenship: not recognized.  Voluntary renunciation of Djibouti citizenship is permitted by law.

Citizenship is based on Law №200/AN/81 of 24 October 1981 year. Citizens who were citizens before 27June, 1977 year, retain their citizenship.

By birth: being born in Djibouti does not automatically grant citizenship. The exception is a child born to unknown parents.

By Origin: a child whose father is a citizen of Djibouti, regardless of the country of birth of the child. The child was born in Djibouti to a Djibouti mother and an unknown father.

Registration: a foreigner who marries a Djibouti National can apply for citizenship after two years of marriage.

By naturalization: a foreigner who meets the requirements applies for Djibouti citizenship. The foreigner must be in the country at the time of filing the application, be at least eighteen years old and have legally resided in the country for at least 10 years.

Required documents

• Applicant's identity documents
• Birth certificate
• Proof of parental citizenship for citizenship by Origin (birth certificates / passports / national identity card)
• Marriage certificate (citizenship by marriage)
• Certificate of non-criminal record
• Health certificate
• Proof of compliance with residence requirements (naturalization applicants), such as copies of utility bills