If you’re looking to start your path to Czech citizenship by descent, you’ll need to identify the right authorities to interact with when completing your filled application form. The competent authority for Czech citizenship matters is the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. But if you’re applying for Czech citizenship through ancestry from abroad, you don’t have to be in-person to submit your application materials. When applying from abroad, individuals work through the official Czech consulates, often with a filled application form, declarations, and proof of permanent residence status or other supporting documentation. Applicants should also ensure they meet any Czech language and B1 level requirements before submission.
In the United States, there are four offices residents use. Keep reading to learn where these embassies and consulates are located and which one you should use based on the jurisdiction you fall under.
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.
Finally, Washington, D.C., is home to the Embassy of the Czech Republic for residents of the District of Columbia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda. Again, office hours are by appointment only. Visitors should bring their permanent residence card if they already hold permanent residence status within the European Union. Applicants may also need a confirmation of consent from a father or legal guardian if applying on behalf of children.
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York
The Czech Consulate in New York City operates with limited weekday hours. Its jurisdiction includes Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Applicants should ensure they meet the requirements outlined in the Act on the Residence of Foreigners, especially if seeking a permanent residence card or permanent residence permit prior to citizenship. Students living abroad or attending university programs may also need to present proof of enrollment and health insurance coverage.
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago
The Czech consulate in Chicago is typically available by appointment only, with limited weekday hours and even more limited phone consultation hours. The Chicago jurisdiction includes Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applicants are encouraged to prepare documents that demonstrate monthly income, permanent residence status, and independent persons’ eligibility for naturalization. In some cases, independent persons may also need to provide proof of steady monthly income, a valid Czech language certificate at the B1 level, and evidence of a job, lease, or business investment in the Czech Republic.
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles consulate to the Czech Republic is used by residents of California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the following unincorporated territories:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
Note that the Los Angeles office has limited weekday hours, and citizenship applicants must schedule an appointment to be seen. Visitors should also consider the cost of housing and other geographical realities when planning a long-term stay or long-term travel for education or health purposes in the Czech Republic. Applicants who plan to move permanently to the European Union may also need to demonstrate financial stability, including proof of monthly income and relevant securities or financial aid documentation.
Getting Started with Your Application
If you’d like to kickstart your journey to Czech citizenship by descent, consider one of our service packages. Our experts help turn your family history into European citizenship within the European Union. We offer an eligibility assessment to help you figure out whether you qualify for Czech lineage citizenship and how.
FAQs
What is the current policy of the Czech Republic regarding dual citizenship?
Since 2014, Czech law allows dual or multiple citizenship. Czechs who acquire another nationality no longer lose their Czech citizenship automatically. Likewise, foreign nationals can become Czech citizens without renouncing their original citizenship. Those who gain a Czech passport benefit from the rights of European Union membership and can reside, work, or study freely across member states. This flexibility is especially valuable for graduates seeking international education or job opportunities, and for those affected by citizenship-based taxation under U.S. law.
Can I claim Czech citizenship by descent?
Yes. You may be eligible for Czech citizenship by descent if one of your parents, grandparents, or in some cases great-grandparents was a Czech or Czechoslovak citizen. Eligibility depends on your ancestor’s citizenship status, where and when they lived, and whether citizenship was passed down legally. Understanding the historical realities, cultural realities, and constitutional system of the Czech Republic can also help clarify eligibility and documentation requirements. Some applicants may need to demonstrate proficiency in the Czech language at B1 level to finalize their filled application form with the Ministry of the Interior. In some cases, reunification or proof of donation, grant, or property purchase may support the application depending on the department or organization reviewing it.
Does the Czech Republic allow dual nationality?
Yes. As of January 1, 2014, Czech law (Act No. 186/2013) permits dual or multiple citizenship. Czech citizens no longer automatically lose Czech citizenship by acquiring another nationality. Those holding a Czech passport can retain it even if they gain another citizenship, which is particularly beneficial for Americans concerned about residence-based or citizenship-based taxation under U.S. law and Congress regulations.
Which countries allow dual citizenship for US citizens?
Many countries also allow dual citizenship with the U.S. Some examples include (non-exhaustive): Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. However, each country has its own rules: some allow it freely, others have conditions (e.g., that the second citizenship be acquired by birth, or with certain permissions). U.S. citizens with a Czech passport benefit from freedom of movement within the European Union and simplified access to services such as long-term treatment and residence registration under the Exit Agreement between the EU and the UK.
How can an American get Czech citizenship?
If you have a Czech parent (or in some cases a Czech grandparent) you may claim Czech citizenship. We offer an eligibility assessment to help you figure out whether you qualify for Czech lineage citizenship and how. Our team provides guidance in preparing your filled application form, verifying your B1 level Czech language proficiency, and ensuring that independent persons or families meet financial requirements such as proof of monthly income and permanent residence card documentation. Once approved, you’ll be able to apply for a Czech passport and enjoy full rights of European citizenship within the European Union. Applicants may also learn about the method of registering for official programs and submitting a full description of their personal knowledge, health, or education background through the appropriate center or consular department.