Descendants of Lithuanian nationals have historically faced some hurdles in acquiring citizenship by descent. After regaining independence in 1990, the laws of Lithuania’s citizenship by ancestry policy changed.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re using this route to seek Lithuanian citizenship through an ancestor and become a citizen of Lithuania.
Who Qualifies for Lithuanian Citizenship Through Ancestry?
Before outlining the steps on how to prove ancestry for Lithuania citizenship, note which descendants qualify, according to the Migration Dept. under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.
These include descendants of parents, grandparents, and even up to great-grandparents who held Lithuanian citizenship in some cases. Descendants of certain exiled Lithuanians and certain individuals who voluntarily fled Lithuania may also qualify.
Lithuanian Ancestry Through Parent, Grandparent, or Great-Grandparent
The most distant ancestor to qualify for Lithuanian dual citizenship by descent is a great-grandparent. There are a few criteria you need to meet to qualify in this way. A descendant must first be able to prove that their great-grandparent was a Lithuanian citizen as of June 15, 1940. Furthermore, the great-grandparent must not have lost their Lithuanian citizenship through legal processes such as renunciation.
Ancestry Through Parent, Grandparent, or Great-Grandparent
To prove eligibility by descent, applicants have to have proof of their Lithuanian ancestry. This can be in the form of birth, marriage, or death certificates that trace lineage to a Lithuanian ancestor. Applicants also must prove that this ancestor held citizenship prior to June 15, 1940.
Additionally, applicants should have a valid passport or government-issued ID, criminal record clearance documentation, and a certificate issued by their current country of residence. If you’re applying within Lithuania, you must have proof of residency there.
Ancestry as a Descendant of an Exiled Person
You may also qualify for Lithuania lineage citizenship if your ancestor fled Lithuania during times of occupation or was exiled from the country between June 15, 1940, and March 11, 1990. An exile would have held citizenship prior to June 15, 1940, and been forcibly expelled from the country by courts or institutions during the aforementioned time period. Exile status also depends on the ancestor having not returned to Lithuania as a permanent resident at any point during that period.
Moreover, if a descendant of an exiled person was born prior to April 1, 2011, they can reclaim Lithuanian citizenship without having to renounce other citizenships.
How to Prove Ancestry for Citizenship
In addition to providing a valid passport, if you’re seeking lineage citizenship through an exiled ancestor, you’ll need documentation that your ancestor was exiled before March 11, 1990. The Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York states that applicants must supply documents that show their relationship to the ancestor who held citizenship before June 15, 1940. This includes birth certificates and forms showing the change of a name or surname, like marriage certificates, U.S. naturalization certificates, court decisions, and social security administration documents.
Ancestry as a Descendant of a Person Who Fled Lithuania
If the ancestor you’re trying to gain lineage citizenship through held Lithuanian citizenship before the time of regime began in 1940 and then voluntarily left during occupation, you could qualify. Note that the ancestor would have to have been permanently residing in a country outside of Lithuania as of March 11, 1990.
Exclusions to Qualification
A descendant of someone who moved from Lithuania to a Soviet territory from June 15, 1940, is not eligible. This exclusion is outlined in the Citizenship Law of Lithuania (no. XI – 1196), Article 2.
How to Prove Ancestry for Citizenship
Again, applicants must provide a valid passport, documentation showing their ancestor held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940, and documentation showing the relationship to the ancestor, as outlined above. For ancestors of persons who fled Lithuania, applicants must also show documented proof that the ancestor left the country before March 11, 1990.
How to Apply for Citizenship by Descent in Lithuania
Applications for citizenship by descent go through the (MIGRIS) Lithuanian Migration Information System.
Special conditions apply for foreign documents, as well as original documentation vs. copies.
Want to learn more about the application process for Lithuanian lineage citizenship? Check out our exploration of Required Documents for Lithuania Citizenship Applications.
One Response
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for reaching out!
Lithuanian citizenship by descent can extend to the descendants of citizens of the interwar Republic, so a great-grandfather born in Lithuania may well be a route worth exploring. The key is establishing that he held Lithuanian citizenship during that 1918 to 1940 period, which can sometimes be traced through his own parents.
The best next step is our free eligibility assessment, and I would love to look at the details with you directly, so I will follow up by email.
Warm regards, Marianna — Client Manager | Citizenship.EU