🇮🇶 Iraqi Citizenship Guide for U.S. Diaspora

Complete step-by-step process for obtaining Iraqi citizenship documents

Iraqi Citizenship Law: If your father or mother is Iraqi, then you are Iraqi by law. The process is much easier if the father is Iraqi. If only the mother is Iraqi, contact the consulate for more information as there are additional requirements to complete.

Grandparent Cases: If a grandparent was Iraqi but your parents aren't officially Iraqi citizens, then your parent(s) must first be proven Iraqi through their own citizenship process before you can become Iraqi.

📄 Iraqi Papers (from Parents)

Essential Documents

  • Civil Status ID (Hawiya / Sijil Nufus)
    Contains the family record number required to register children. Absolutely essential — without it, the process cannot begin. Photos/copies are acceptable.

    📋 Document Examples & Key Numbers:

    Civil Status ID (هوية الأحوال المدنية)
    Note the family record number

    Unified National Card (‏بطاقة واحدة)

    Important: Look for the red-boxed numbers on these documents - these are the key reference numbers needed for registration. The family record number from the Civil Status ID is especially crucial.

  • Nationality Certificate (Jinsia / شهادة الجنسية العراقية)
    • Optional if you already have the IDs
    • Proves citizenship status
    • Can help support the case if IDs are missing or inconsistent
  • Iraqi Marriage Certificate (if married in Iraq)
  • Iraqi Birth Certificate (if available)
Bring originals + 2 colored copies of each. Photos of the IDs are also acceptable if originals are not available.
Passports (Jawaz) are NOT accepted as proof for this process

🇺🇸 U.S. Papers

Marriage Certificate (if married in U.S.)

  • Apostilled by Secretary of State (original + 2 colored copies)
  • Arabic Translation by certified translator
    • Example: U.S. Language Services
    • Parents must notarize the translation
    • Notarized translation must be apostilled
    • Both original and translated versions stamped by Iraqi consulate

Child's Birth Certificate

  • Apostilled (original + 3 colored copies)
  • Apostille itself (original + 3 colored copies)
No Arabic translation needed — the consulate issues the Arabic Iraqi Birth Certificate

🏛️ Consulate Papers (U.S.)

Only if using a representative in Iraq who will do your papers for you/family

Powers of Attorney (وكالة خاصة)

  • Draft text from consulate
  • Parent's original Iraqi ID
  • Photocopy of representative's Iraqi ID
  • 10 passport photos each (parent + representative)
Representative must be from the same family side or non-related. Cousins from the opposite spouse's side are NOT allowed.
Parents must be present at the consulate to issue Powers of Attorney

Life Certificates (شهادة حياة)

  • Issued at the consulate
  • Require 10 passport photos each (parent + representative)
Parents must be present at the consulate to issue Life Certificates

Application Form (إشعار الولادة)

  • Filled out online when scheduling appointment via icass.mofa.gov.iq
  • Must be signed by father (as required by LA consulate)

📋 Essential Items Checklist

  • Passport photos: 10 of each person (child, parents, representatives if using POA)
  • Cash: Bring enough for all services (~$38.50 per document at Los Angeles consulate)
  • Colored copies: At least 2–3 of every document and apostille

Quick Reference: The process follows this general flow:
Gather Documents → Book Consulate Appointment → Register Marriage (if needed) → Register Birth → Civil Registry Entry (Iraq) → Nationality Certificate (Iraq) → Passport Application

🔄 Step-by-Step Process

Booking at the Consulate

  • Go to icass.mofa.gov.iq
  • Book separate appointment for each service/document
  • Fill out required forms (including إشعار الولادة) online during scheduling

Parents' Marriage Registration

  • If already registered in Iraq: Skip this step
  • If not registered, your parents will need to be regsistered as married in Iraq:
    • Submit Apostilled U.S. marriage certificate + Apostilled Arabic translation at consulate
    • If parents won't go to Iraq themselves: issue Powers of Attorney and Life Certificates for representative

Child's Birth Registration (at Consulate)

  • Submit Apostilled U.S. birth certificate (with colored copies)
  • Provide parents' Iraqi IDs and registered marriage certificate
  • Confirm Application Form (إشعار الولادة) filled online and signed by father
  • Pay consular fee (~$38.50 at LA)
  • Receive Arabic Iraqi Birth Certificate issued directly at consulate
If father's name on U.S. birth certificate doesn't perfectly match Iraqi IDs, this may cause issues — but consulate staff sometimes allow it after discussion
On the Iraqi birth certificate, name will be written as: Your Name + Father's Name + Grandfather's Name

Civil Registry Entry (in Iraq)

  • Consulate-issued Iraqi Birth Certificate must be entered into family's Civil Status Record (Sijil Nufus) in Iraq
  • Produces the child's Civil ID (Hawiya)
  • Done by family member or representative with POA
You must be registered in the family registry of the city/province where your father was born in Iraq. All papers must be processed at that specific location's civil registry office.

Nationality Certificate (in Iraq)

  • Apply for شهادة الجنسية العراقية (Jinsia) once Civil ID is issued
  • Required before passport application

Passport (at Consulate)

  • Once you have Iraqi Birth Certificate, Civil ID, and Nationality Certificate: apply at consulate
  • Submit 10 passport photos of the child
  • Process completed!

📧 Need Help?

For questions or assistance with the Iraqi citizenship process:

[email protected]