Zimbabwe Dual Citizenship and Legal Documents for Diaspora

Key legal information for Zimbabweans living abroad. Dual Citizenship: As of October 2026 the position depends on how a person became a Zimbabwean citizen: - **Citizens by birth can hold another citizenship.** The Constitutional Court held in *Mawere v Registrar-General* (CCZ 4/15, decided 26 June 2013, published 2015) that dual citizenship is not prohibited for citizens by birth and that citizenship by birth cannot be revoked (source: https://old.zimlii.org/node/91). - **Citizens by descent or by registration:** section 42(e) of the 2013 Constitution lets Parliament prohibit dual citizenship for these two groups only. The Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act predates the Constitution and has not been aligned with it, and the Registrar-General's office has said that adults may not hold foreign citizenship unless they are citizens by birth. For descent and registration the position is therefore restrictive in practice and legally unsettled. If you are in this group, get advice from the Registrar-General's office or a Zimbabwean lawyer before taking another nationality. - **Citizens by registration** can also lose their citizenship after five years' continuous absence from Zimbabwe (Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act, section 13, with exceptions). Passport: - Zimbabwe passports can be renewed at Zimbabwe embassies and consulates abroad - UK: Embassy of Zimbabwe, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR - Processing times vary — apply well in advance of travel - Emergency travel documents available in urgent cases National ID (Green ID): - Essential for many transactions in Zimbabwe (banking, property, voting) - Can be applied for or renewed at the Registrar General's office in Zimbabwe - Some embassy services available for renewals abroad Power of Attorney: - If you have property, business, or legal interests in Zimbabwe, consider granting power of attorney to a trusted person - Must be properly drafted, signed, and notarised - Zimbabwe law requires specific formalities — use a qualified Zimbabwe lawyer - Useful for: property management, court appearances, business decisions, estate administration Wills and Inheritance: - Zimbabwe and UK have separate legal systems for estates - If you have assets in both countries, you may need TWO wills (one for each jurisdiction) - Zimbabwe uses a mix of general law (Roman-Dutch) and customary law for inheritance - Under customary law, inheritance rules differ significantly from UK law - Professional legal advice is essential to avoid disputes and ensure your wishes are honoured Marriage registration: - Marriages conducted in the UK are generally recognised in Zimbabwe - Customary marriages (roora/lobola) may need separate registration - Marriage certificates may be needed for property transactions, insurance, and immigration Always use qualified, registered legal professionals for cross-border legal matters. Informal arrangements, especially for property and inheritance, frequently lead to disputes.