Citizenship by Descent (Article 11)

All documents issued by foreign authorities must be apostilled (or legalized) and accompanied by an official translation into Croatian by a certified court interpreter located in Croatia.

Identity and Background Documents

• Valid Passport: A certified copy of your current travel document.
• Criminal Record Clearance: An official background check from your country of citizenship and any country where you have resided for more than six months in the last 10 years. This must be issued within the last 6 months.
• Biography: A narrative written in the Croatian language. This should detail your family history, your connection to Croatia, and your reasons for seeking citizenship.

Proof of Ancestry and Emigration

• Vital Records: A "paper trail" of birth, marriage, and death certificates that links you directly to the original emigrant.
• Evidence of Emigration: Historical documents proving the ancestor left Croatia. This can include old Yugoslav/Croatian passports, ship manifests, foreign naturalization records (showing when they became a citizen of their new country), or "expatriation" papers.
• Croatian Records: If possible, obtain "Birth Certificates on International Form" from the local registry office (Matični ured) in Croatia where your ancestor was born.