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Nationality

8-12 years old

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What does this mean?

Depending on your parents’ nationality, you can have two nationalities and two passports if you want.

It’s your right to have a nationality and to belong to a country.

If you don’t have a nationality or a passport, it can be difficult to travel to other countries.

EXAMPLE: It is important to have a nationality and be a citizen of a country. It means you have all the rights that the laws in that country give you.

Learn more about this right

Do I have this right in Ireland?

  • UNCRC, article 7 – it’s your right to have a name and this should be officially recognised by the government. You have the right to a nationality (to belong to a country)
  • UNCRC, article 8 – it’s your right to have an identity – an official record of who you are. No one should take this away from you.
  • If you’re born in Ireland and have Irish parents, then you are automatically an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport.
  • If you’re born in Ireland and don’t have Irish parents, you need to prove you’ve lived in Ireland for a certain amount of time and then you can apply for your Irish passport.
  • You are ‘stateless’ if you have no nationality and you belong to no country.

  • Humanium – Find out more about children’s right to an identity, which includes a right to a name and nationality
  • UN Refugee Agency – Find what being ‘stateless’ means from the UN Refugee Agency
  • Migrants Rights Council Ireland – What does it feel like to be stateless? A video of young people living in Ireland sharing their experiences in Young Paperless and Powerful.