Angelina Jolie is in talks to become a citizen of Namibia so she can become a dame.

The 39-year-old actress was recently bestowed with an honourary damehood by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in her Birthday Honours, but as she is an American she cannot officially use the title.

However, the 'Maleficent' star has now been advised she could refer to herself as Dame Angelina Jolie by becoming a citizen of Namibia, which is part of the Commonwealth and she feels using the title would help with her charity work.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Angelina was blown away when she was made a dame. She thinks it will add gravitas to her in her humanitarian work.

''Gradually she will focus less on acting and more on world issues and this helps to detract from her Hollywood history.''

Angelina has close ties to the African country as it is where she gave birth to eight-year-old daughter Shiloh - her first biological child with fiancé Brad Pitt - in 2006. The youngster is considered a Namibian citizen and has a passport issued by the country.

The Namibian Embassy says it would be happy to consider the A-list actress for citizenship.

A representative said: ''We would welcome Angelina Jolie to make an application for citizenship, just like anyone else.''

Angelina - who also raises adopted kids Maddox, 12, Pax, 10, and Zahara, nine, and biological twins Knox and Vivienne, five, with Brad - has become a lauded public figure for her humanitarian efforts in ending sexual violence in conflict zones through the United Nations (UN).