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In Kazakhstan, citizens do not have to pay a fee to change their nationality as recorded on official documents. However, there are associated costs for issuing new identification and passports.

The Committee for Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan addressed official inquiries regarding the process of altering one's nationality in state records. The clarification confirms that while the act of changing nationality is free, the issuance of updated documents incurs standard fees.

Nationality Entry is Voluntary

The Migration Service Committee emphasized that Kazakhstan's Constitution guarantees citizens the right to either state or omit their nationality. The field for nationality in passports and ID cards is filled at the document holder's discretion. Therefore, adding or changing a nationality entry is voluntary and does not affect a citizen's rights or responsibilities.

How Nationality is Determined

The initial nationality entry in documents is based on the parents' nationality. If parents are of different ethnicities, a citizen can choose either the father's or mother's nationality. This entry can later be changed to reflect the other parent's nationality.

A special procedure applies to individuals forcibly resettled to Kazakhstan during periods of political repression. For these citizens, changing nationality is only possible with official documentation of rehabilitation or a court order.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Changing Nationality

To make changes, a citizen must submit a written application to the migration service at their place of residence. The application should be accompanied by a birth certificate and, if applicable, a rehabilitation certificate or court decision. After reviewing the documents, a decision on the nationality change is issued within two working days.

Cost of Document Processing

While changing nationality itself does not incur a state duty, the internal affairs bodies will issue a new passport or ID card to update the documents. The cost depends on the type of document:

If a passport is replaced for other reasons—such as expiry, or a change in surname, first name, or patronymic—a separate fee for issuing the new document is charged. However, no separate fee is stipulated by law specifically for changing nationality.

Conclusion

In essence, changing nationality in Kazakhstan is a matter of personal choice rather than a financial burden. The procedure is straightforward and transparent, allowing every citizen to accurately reflect their identity on official documents without additional taxes or bureaucratic hurdles.

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