YOUR HERITAGE. YOUR LEGACY.
Croatian
Citizenship
by Descent
If you have Croatian ancestors, you may be eligible for Croatian citizenship by descent under Article 11.
What is Citizenship by descent?
Croatia recognizes the right of citizenship to descendants of Croatian citizens who emigrated.
The right is based on Article 11 of the Croatian Citizenship Act.
Multiple generations may be eligible.
It does not matter where you or your ancestor currently live.
Who May Be Eligible?
You have a Croatian ancestor who was born in Croatia
Your ancestor did not emigrate to a country which was a part of Yugoslavia.
You can prove your direct line of descent with official documents.
There are no legal impediments to your application.
Who Qualifies for Croatian Citizenship by Descent?
Croatian citizenship by descent may be available to people whose ancestors emigrated from Croatia and their descendants. Eligibility is not necessarily limited to children or grandchildren, depending on your family history and the circumstances of your ancestor’s emigration, more distant generations may also qualify.
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A typical application requires establishing a documented family connection between you and your Croatian ancestor through birth, marriage, and other civil records. Your ancestor’s place and date of birth, emigration history, and other circumstances can all affect the appropriate path for your application.
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You generally do not need to speak Croatian or live in Croatia to apply as a descendant under Article 11. However, every family history is different, so eligibility should be assessed individually before documents are ordered and prepared.
The Process
1.Eligibility Assesment
We review your family history and documents.
2.Document Retrieval
We help you obtain Croatian and U.S. vital records.
3.Prepare Application
We prepare and review your complete application
4.Submit to Consulate
You submit your application at the competent consulate.
5.Receive Citizenship
Once approved, you'll receive your Croatian citizenship!
Where Do You Apply for Croatian Citizenship by Descent?
Most applicants living outside Croatia submit their citizenship application through the Croatian embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence. Applicants who meet the applicable residence requirements in Croatia may be able to submit through the competent authority in Croatia.
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Consular procedures and document expectations can vary by jurisdiction, making it important to identify the correct authority early in the process.
Documents for Croatian Citizenship by Descent
Every family has a story
We're here to help you bring yours home.
Building a Croatian citizenship by descent application usually involves collecting records across multiple generations, from your Croatian ancestor to you.
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The exact documents required depend on your family history, country of residence, and the Croatian authority or consulate where you will apply. Commonly required records may include Croatian birth or baptism records for your ancestor, birth and marriage certificates connecting each generation, evidence relating to emigration, and other civil or citizenship records relevant to your family line.
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Foreign documents may need to be issued as certified copies, authenticated with an Apostille or other required legalization, and translated into Croatian by an authorized translator.
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Names, dates, and places often vary between historical Croatian records and later foreign records. These discrepancies should be identified early so they can be addressed appropriately before the application is submitted.