Issuance of a Law Decree Amending Certain Provisions of the Emir's Decree-Law on Kuwaiti Nationality

A decree-law was issued amending certain provisions of Amir’s Decree No. (15) of 1959 concerning Kuwaiti nationality. The text of the decree is as follows:

Article One: The following two texts replace the text of paragraph (4) of Article (14) and the text of Article (19) of the aforementioned Amir’s Decree No. (15) of 1959:

Article (14): Paragraph (4) – “If a person intentionally adds to his nationality file, or to the nationality file of another person, any individual who is not his son or descendant, and this is established through an investigation conducted by the Supreme Committee for Verification of Kuwaiti Nationality or by a final judicial ruling, the nationality of any of his sons or descendants may be revoked, provided that their knowledge of such act is established.”

Article (19): “The Minister of Interior shall issue a certificate of Kuwaiti nationality to every Kuwaiti after verifying its establishment in accordance with the provisions of this Law. This certificate shall be issued in electronic form. The Minister shall issue a decision detailing the technical and procedural controls and requirements for issuing, storing, and using the electronic certificate, as well as the procedures for verifying its authenticity, revoking it, or suspending its validity.”

Article Two: A new paragraph is added to the text of Article (7) of the aforementioned Amir’s Decree No. (15) of 1959, reading as follows:

Article (7): New Paragraph – “A person who has acquired Kuwaiti nationality through naturalization shall not have the right to vote, stand for election, or be appointed to any parliamentary body.”

Article Three: The electronic certificate referred to in this decree-law shall carry the same legal weight and effects as the nationality certificate, and shall replace the paper certificate in the application of laws, decrees, and regulations in force.

Article Four: Any provision contrary to the provisions of this decree-law is hereby repealed.

Article Five: The Prime Minister and the Ministers shall each, within their respective competencies, implement this decree-law. It shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall take effect from the date of its publication.