How would a newly formed country go about joining the u.n.? If they
are not permitted to become a member, what about taking a seat as a
permanent observer until such time they would meet the criteria for
full membership?

Hello littleronnie,

The United Nations provides a fact sheet on how a country may join the UN.

"How does a new State or Government obtain recognition by the United
Nations? How does a country join the UN as a Member State?" (Fact
sheet #2, August 2001)
United Nations
http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS2.HTM

It is possible for a non-member country to have a permanent observer
mission to the UN.  Currently, the Holy See is the one non-member
state with an observer mission.  Other states, such as Switzerland,
have had observer status in the past.

"Permanent Missions to the United Nations: Non-Member States
Maintaining Permanent Observer Missions at UN Headquarters"
United Nations
http://www.un.org/Overview/missions.htm#nperm

"A Short History of the Holy See's Diplomacy"
Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations
http://www.holyseemission.org/short_history.html

"How Can Taiwan Enter the United Nations? History, Issues, and
Approaches," by Vincent Wei-cheng Wang (Issues and Studies
30(10)(October 1994): 108-31) [pages 15-16 of pdf file]
University of Richmond
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/~vwang/Publications/Can_Taiwan_Enter_UN.pdf

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google for various combinations of these terms:


"join the united nations"
"join the un"
"holy see"
site:un.org
"observer status"
"permanent observer"
"permanent observers"
"observer mission"
"observer missions"
taiwan
[other names of countries with prior observer missions]

---

Request for Answer Clarification by littleronnie-ga on 18 Jul 2005 06:53 PDT

I want the actual application for consideration to become a member of
the u.n. Do you have to write a letter of request in order for them to
send you an application? or what? I want see this application with my
own eyes.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 18 Jul 2005 20:44 PDT

Here is the membership application for Switzerland, one of the newest members:

"Application of the Swiss Confederation for admission to membership in
the United Nations" (A/56/1009-S/2002/801)
United Nations
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/487/22/PDF/N0248722.pdf?OpenElement

I presume that this document is sufficient to answer your question. 
If not, please let me know.


Supplemental search strategy --

Search terms used on Google:

switzerland
application
membership
site:un.org
"swiss confederation" 
"S/2002/801"