Laos: Knowledge Base profile
Published 1 May 2024
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About: Laos
This document contains useful information about Laos which will assist HM Passport Office staff process passport applications.
Contacts
If you have any questions about the document and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the document has factual errors then email the Guidance team.
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Publication
Below is information on when this version of the document was published:
- version 2.0
- published for Home Office staff on 26 April 2024
Changes from last version of this document
This document has been updated with minor formatting changes.
Laos: nationality
This section gives HM Passport Office staff information about nationality in Laos.
Dual nationality is not recognised in Laos.
Laos: legitimacy and parental responsibility
This section gives HM Passport Office staff information about legitimacy and parental responsibility in Laos.
Legitimacy
Laos recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if born or conceived during a marriage
- illegitimate if born or conceived outside of marriage
Parental responsibility
Both parents have parental responsibility in Laos.
Laos: adoption
This section gives HM Passport Office staff information about adoption in Laos.
Adoption is illegal in Laos.
Laos: documents
This section gives HM Passport Office staff information about documents in Laos.
Birth certificates
Birth certificates are issued following the registration of all births in Laos. Births certificates are issued in the area where the child is born. All births must be registered within 30 days.
When the village head receives notification of a newborn child, they issue a birth certificate. This certificate will then allow the parents to register the birth with the family registration official, within 30 days.
If there is an error on a birth certificate, the citizen must make a claim against the family registration official local to where they live. The claim will be considered, and if it is decided that there is an error on the certificate, the registration will be modified.
The Government of Laos allows its citizens to travel to Thailand to give birth. This is in agreement with the Thailand Government and allows citizens of Laos to choose the most appropriate maternity facilities. Children born in Thailand are issued with a Thai birth certificate which is used to travel back into Laos. The Laos authorities then issue a Laos birth certificate, with the place of birth recorded as Laos (usually Vientiane).
Marriage certificates
Marriage certificates are issued following the registration of a marriage in Laos. The couple have 1 month following the marriage to register it with the district authority.
Death certificates
Death certificates are issued following registration of a death in Laos.
Identity documents
Visa and work permits are issued to all citizens in Laos. These documents are mandatory.
The visa and work permits are not laminated when they are issued.