Malagasy nationality is essentially based on parentage. The legitimate child of a Malagasy father, the legitimate child of a Malagasy mother and a father with no nationality or of unknown nationality, or the child born of a Malagasy mother and an unknown father are considered to be Malagasy. If the father of a child is of foreign nationality, the child is not born Malagasy. He/she may only acquire this nationality under certain conditions and by submitting an application.

Acquisition of nationality for minors born of a Malagasy mother
Malagasy nationality can be acquired:

• either by submitting an application based on parentage or adoption;
  
  
• or by declaration, granted to foreign women married to Malagasy nationals.

Documents to be supplied in four copies (one original and three copies) for minors between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one:

• Full birth certificate;
  
  
• Marriage certificate of the parents;
  
  
• Criminal record certificate of the father;
  
  
• Certificate of good moral standing of the father;
  
  
• Certificate of Malagasy nationality of the mother;
  
  
• Medical certificate stating whether or not the minor is free of disability, physical defect, suffering from tuberculosis, venereal disease or mental illness.

Documents to be supplied for minors under the age of eighteen: the same documents plus the document(s) required to establish the status of legal representative of the person who has given the authorisation (unless this person is the father).
Any declaration for the purpose of acquiring Malagasy nationality must be signed before the Presiding Judge of the Civil Court or of the local court for the place of residence. If the person making the declaration is overseas, the declaration must be signed before Malagasy diplomatic or consular agents.