Citizenship by Declaration (Act No. 186/2013 Coll.)

Czech citizenship by declaration is a simplified administrative process for former citizens and their descendants (children and grandchildren) to reclaim or acquire citizenship. Unlike standard naturalization, you do not need to live in the Czech Republic or pass a Czech language exam.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility Route

Before gathering documents, identify which section of Act No. 186/2013 Coll. applies to you. The most common routes are:

• Section 31: For former Czech or Czechoslovak citizens who lost their citizenship before January 1, 2014, and their children or grandchildren.
• Section 32: For individuals who were Czechoslovak citizens as of December 31, 1992, but did not become either Czech or Slovak citizens during the country's dissolution.
• Section 33: For children born abroad between 1949 and 1969 to at least one Czechoslovak parent who did not acquire citizenship at birth due to restrictive laws.
• Section 35: For young adults (ages 18 to 21) who have lived in the Czech Republic for at least two-thirds of their lives since age 10.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

You must provide a "paper trail" linking you to your Czech ancestor. All foreign documents must be officially translated into Czech and, depending on the issuing country, must bear an Apostille (a specialized certificate for international document recognition) or be "super-legalized."

• Declaration Form: Prohlášení o nabytí státního občanství České republiky (available at consulates).
• Your Vital Records: Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Ancestral Proof: Birth and marriage certificates of your parents and/or grandparents.
• Proof of Citizenship Loss: Documents showing when and how your ancestor lost Czech citizenship (e.g., a foreign Naturalization Certificate or a "Certificate of Non-Existence of Czech Citizenship").
• Valid ID: Your current passport or national ID card.

Step 3: Legalization and Translation

Once you have your original documents, you must:

1. Obtain an Apostille for every document issued outside the Czech Republic.
2. Have every document (including the Apostille) translated into Czech by a certified translator.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

You can submit your application in person based on where you live:

• If you live outside the Czech Republic: Visit your nearest Czech Consulate or Embassy. You must book an appointment in advance.
• If you live in the Czech Republic: Visit the Regional Authority (Krajský úřad) for your place of residence. If you have never lived in the country, you must apply at the Prague 1 Registry Office.

Step 5: Review and Issuance

The authorities will verify your lineage and the legal status of your ancestor’s citizenship. If approved, you will be issued a Certificate of Czech Citizenship (Listina o nabytí státního občanství prohlášením). Once you have this certificate, you are officially a citizen and can apply for a Czech passport.

Fees are paid at the time of submission. If applying at a consulate, the fee is paid in local currency based on the current exchange rate.

Total Estimate: Approximately 2,500–3,000 CZK plus administrative costs. Does not include: Professional translation fees ($50–$100 per page), Apostille fees from your home government, or fees for requesting historical records from the Matrika (Registry Office).

• Official Decision Window: The authority is legally required to decide within 30 to 60 days of receiving a complete application.
• Real-World Timeline: Most applicants receive their certificate within 3 to 6 months. This varies depending on the complexity of your family history and how quickly the Czech archives can verify your ancestor's records.
• Document Validity: Your application remains open as long as it is active, but foreign vital records should generally be issued within a reasonable timeframe (some consulates prefer records issued within the last year). There is currently no expiration date for the right to submit a declaration under the current law.