Honduras : Title II, Chapter I of the Constitution of the Republic of Honduras, 2013
The text of Title II, Chapter I, of the 1982 Constitution of the Republic of Honduras indicates the following:
Article 22
Honduran nationality is acquired by birth or by naturalization.
Article 23
The following are Hondurans by birth:
- Persons born within the national territory with the exception of the children of diplomatic agents;
- Children born abroad of a Honduran father or mother by birth;
- Persons born on board Honduran vessels or aircraft of war, and persons born on board merchant vessels while they are in Honduran territorial waters; and
- Infants of unknown parents found in Honduran territory.
Article 24
The following are Hondurans by naturalization:
- Central Americans by birth who have resided in the country for one year;
- Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth who have resided in the country two consecutive years;
- All other foreigners who have resided in the country more than three consecutive years;
- Foreigners who have obtained naturalization papers decreed by the National Congress for extraordinary services rendered to Honduras;
- Immigrants forming part of selected groups brought in by the government for scientific, agricultural or industrial purposes, who after one year of residence in the country fulfill the requirements of law; and
- Foreigners married to Hondurans by birth.
In the cases referred to in numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, the applicant must previously renounce his nationality and indicate his desire to obtain Honduran citizenship before the competent authority.
Where there exists a treaty on dual nationality, the Honduran seeking to obtain foreign nationality shall not lose his Honduran nationality.
Likewise, the foreigner shall not be required to renounce his nationality.
Article 25
While he resides in the territory of Honduras, no Honduran by birth may invoke any other nationality.
Article 26
No naturalized Honduran may hold official positions in representation of Honduras in his country of origin.
Article 27
Neither marriage nor its dissolution shall affect the nationality of the spouses or their children.
Article 28
[Amended by Decree No. 345-2002 as ratified by Decree No. 31-2003]
No Honduran by birth may be deprived of their nationality. The right is conserved [by] the Hondurans by birth even when they acquire other nationality.
A Special Law denominated the Law on Nationality will regulate that relative to the exercise of the political rights and in all that is considered pertinent in this matter.
Article 29
[Amended by Decree No. 345-2002 as ratified by Decree No. 31-2003]
Honduran nationality by naturalization is lost:
- By naturalization in [a] foreign country; and,
- By the cancellation of the naturalization papers [carta] in accordance with the law. (Honduras 1982).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Honduras. 1982 (amended 2013). Constitution of the Republic of Honduras. <http://heinonline.org/HOL/COWShow?collection=cow&cow_id=190> [Accessed 28 Oct. 2013]