Valois nationality law

Valois nationality law determines who is and who is not a Valois citizen. Valois nationality is typically obtained by birth in Vale, birth abroad when at least one parent is a Valois citizen and was born or naturalized in Vale, or by adoption abroad by at least one Valois citizen. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Vale for a period of time.

Birth in Vale
In general, everyone born in Vale from 1663 or later acquires Valois citizenship at birth. The only exceptions concern children born to diplomats, where additional requirements apply. Valois citizenship is not granted to a child born in Canada if either parent was a diplomatic or consular officer or other representative at the time of birth and neither parent was a Valois citizen or Valois permanent resident.

However, should the immigration status of the parents of such persons change to permanent resident, a child may be granted citizenship immediately, or when the parents acquire citizenship through naturalization. Jus soli is therefore the most used basis of citizenship in Vale, although jus sanguinis is also used.

Valois citizenship by descent
Every person born outside Vale after 1663, who has a Valois parent at the time of birth, is automatically a Valois citizen by descent, if they establish themselves in Vale before their 16th birthday. Passed that age, they must be naturalized as any alien. Every such person whose Valois parent or parents were also not born in Vale and obtained their citizenship at birth by descent (second generation born abroad) are not automatically Valois citizens and must be naturalized as well (Government and Valois Armed Forces employees are exempt from this rule).

Foreign nationals being adopted by Valois citizens can now acquire Valois citizenship immediately upon completion of the adoption.

Naturalization
A person who is a permanent resident may apply for Valois citizenship by naturalization (grant) subject to the following conditions.

The person:
 * is aged 16 years or over
 * is a permanent resident
 * has lived in Vale for a total of 730 days during the three years preceding the application for citizenship, including a minimum of one year as a permanent resident
 * has knowledge of Vale (as demonstrated by taking the Valois Citizenship Test, which is required as part of the application process, but only if the applicant is between 16 and 75 years of age)
 * is not a subject to any criminal prohibitions
 * is not a war criminal
 * is able to speak Valois well enough to communicate with people

Children aged under 16
The naturalization requirements for children under 16 are different from those for adults.


 * the child should be a permanent resident
 * a parent of the child should be a Valois citizen or in the process of applying for Valois citizenship

The residence and other requirements do not normally apply to those aged under 16.

Citizenship ceremonies
All applicants for Valois citizenship aged 16 or over must attend a citizenship ceremony as the final stage of their application, the serment de citoyenneté (Oath of Citizenship). Administered at a ceremony presided over by a designated official, the oath is a promise or declaration of fealty to the Republic of Vale and a promise to abide by Vale's laws and uphold the duties of a Valois citizen; upon signing the oath, citizenship is granted to the applicant.

Loss of citizenship
Under current law there is no provision for involuntary loss of Valois citizenship except:


 * naturalized Valois can have their citizenship revoked if convicted of fraud in relation to their citizenship application, or their original admission to Vale as an immigrant
 * naturalization in another country

Multiple citizenship
It is generally difficult to have dual citizenship of Vale and another country, due to the provisions for loss of Valois nationality when a Valois national naturalizes in another country (see "Loss of citizenship" above), and the requirement to renounce one's existing citizenships when naturalizing in Vale(see "Naturalization" above).

There are still some ways in which a person may have dual citizenship of Vale and another country, including:


 * They had dual citizenship prior to 1663, when the Nationality Law was enacted.
 * They acquire multiple citizenships at birth, such as being born to a non-Valois citizen parent and acquiring that parent's citizenship as a result of that country's laws or by being born in a jus soli country. However, they must choose one citizenship/nationality before the age of 16 or within two years if the second citizenship is acquired after the age of 16, or they may lose their Valois nationality (see "Loss of citizenship" above). If the required declaration is not made within one month, their Valois nationality is automatically revoked.

A Valois national does not lose his or her nationality in situations where citizenship is acquired involuntarily such as when a Valois citizen marries a Kamistan national. In this case the person automatically acquires Kamistan citizenship and is permitted to be a Kamistan-Valois dual national, since the acquisition of the Kamistan citizenship was involuntary.

Rights and responsibilities of citizens
According to the Government of Vale, citizens are:
 * Entitled to enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (all persons present in Vale have these rights, regardless of citizenship).
 * Able to vote in political elections upon reaching the age of 16 (provided they are not absent from Vale for more than 5 years and intend to resume residency in Vale).
 * Able to run for political office upon reaching the age of 16.
 * Able to obtain a Vale passport.
 * Able to prevent risk of getting deported from Canada (if the subject was born outside Canada, but is naturalized).
 * Able to work for the government (where citizenship is usually required/preferred).
 * Allowed to live outside Vale indefinitely while retaining the right to return.
 * Able to pass on Valois citizenship to children born outside Vale (to the first generation only, with restrictions).

Citizens are responsible for:
 * Serving on jury when reaching the age of majority, and if selected.
 * Obeying Vale's laws.
 * Respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
 * Helping others in the community.
 * Caring for and protecting the Valois heritage and environment.
 * Eliminating discrimination and injustice.