Custody Laws of Egypt

In Egypt, detailed and specific laws regulate the custody of children. Egypt continues to change the way it views child custody. Over the years, the country has introduced legislation to protect children from custody battles by regulating custody through its courts.

A child playing

Considerations

A child's parents fall into two categories: custodial parent or non-custodial parent. Custodial parent is a term for the parent with primary physical custody of the child. The child the parent resides with most of the time is considered the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent does not live with the child; in some cases, this parent does not have legal or physical custody.

Visitation

In Egypt, visitation is dependent on the custodial parent. If the custodial parent won't voluntarily agree to a visitation, then the noncustodial parent cannot see the child without the issue of a court order.

Citizenship

According to Emory Law School, under Egyptian law, if a child is born to an Egyptian father they are automatically considered legal citizens of Egypt. However, children with an Egyptian mother and foreign father are not considered Egyptian citizens. Mothers must submit a request to Egypt's Immigration and Nationality Authority if they want their child to be considered Egyptian citizens.

Maternal Bias

According to the U.S. Department of State, Egyptian courts usually lean toward the mother when granting custody. In most countries, mothers are considered the most favorable option for children. In Egypt this notion is enforced, especially if the child is under the age of 15.

Traveling

In some countries, children are not allowed to leave the country without their father's permission. Egypt does not require paternal permission unless the father is explicitly granted custody. The only way that Egyptian fathers can prevent their children from traveling is through a court order.

References

• Emory Law School
• US Department of State