Nationality in Cape Verde is governed by the applicable sections of the 2010 Constitution, which allows for dual nationality, states that no Cape Verdean by origin may be deprived of nationality, and provides for every person to have the right to an identity. In statutory terms, citizenship is regulated by Lei n.º 33/X/2023 de 22 de agosto. The 2023 law repealed the previous law, No.80/III/90 of 29 June 1990 (as amended).

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child noted in 2001 that despite progress in increasing birth registration, it remained concerned that a large portion of births still went unregistered. By 2012, Cape Verde was reporting 91 percent birth registration of children under five.