Global Law Experts top search results to help tackle law in American Samoa

People born in American Samoa are considered U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens, at birth. This means they owe allegiance to the United States, can live and work anywhere in the U.S., and hold U.S. passports marked “national,” but they do not have full citizenship rights (like voting in federal elections) unless they go through the naturalization process.

In American Samoa, land ownership is largely restricted to individuals who have at least 50% Samoan ancestry. This rule is designed to preserve communal land and Samoan cultural heritage. Foreigners and those without the required ancestry generally cannot own land outright, though they may enter into long-term lease agreements approved by the territorial government.

In American Samoa, while foreign individuals and companies can do business, certain sectors and land-use activities may require partnership with a local who meets Samoan ancestry requirements, especially if the business involves using communal land. Having a local partner can also help navigate regulatory processes, licensing, and cultural considerations.

American Samoa’s court system consists of the District Court for minor civil and criminal matters, the High Court for major cases, and village courts for local disputes. The High Court has Trial and Appellate Divisions, with decisions appealable to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, as American Samoa is an unincorporated U.S. territory without a federal court.

In American Samoa, certain U.S. federal laws apply, mainly in areas like immigration, defense, customs, and some environmental and labor regulations. However, many federal laws do not automatically apply unless explicitly extended by Congress, allowing the territory to maintain its own local laws and legal system for most civil, criminal, and property matters.