Eligibility Quiz
Are you a child or grandchild of a former Czech or Czechoslovak citizen?
Application Process
The process for acquiring Czech citizenship by descent is known as a Declaration (Prohlášení). This is a simplified "repatriation" route for children and grandchildren of former citizens. You do not need to live in the Czech Republic or speak the language to apply.
Step 1: Document Collection and Research
You must gather a complete paper trail linking you to your Czech or Czechoslovak ancestor. This includes:
- Your Birth Certificate and marriage certificates (if applicable).
- Birth and Marriage Certificates for every generation in the chain (parents and grandparents).
- Proof of Ancestor's Citizenship: This is the most vital step. You need documents like an old Czechoslovak passport, a military booklet, or a domovský list (Certificate of Domicile).
- Proof of Citizenship Loss: If your ancestor became a citizen of another country, you need their foreign naturalization certificate to show when and how they lost their Czech status.
Step 2: Legalization and Translation
All documents issued outside the Czech Republic must be "authenticated" to be legally recognized.
- Apostille/Super-legalization: Depending on where the document was issued, you must obtain an Apostille or undergo super-legalization at a Czech embassy.
- Czech Translation: Every document must be translated into Czech by an official translator.
Step 3: Submission
You can submit your application in one of two ways:
- Outside the Czech Republic: Book an appointment at the nearest Czech Embassy or Consulate. You must appear in person to sign the declaration.
- Inside the Czech Republic: Submit your file to the Krajský úřad (Regional Authority) for your ancestor's last place of residence. If they never lived in the modern Czech Republic, you must apply at the Prague 1 District Office.
Step 4: Review and Approval
The Ministry of the Interior or the Regional Authority will review your lineage. If approved, they will issue a Certificate of Citizenship (Osvědčení o státním občanství).
Step 5: Registration of Birth and Passport
Once you have your certificate, you are officially a citizen, but you do not yet have Czech identity documents.
- Special Registry in Brno: You must apply to have your birth (and marriage) registered in the Zvláštní matrika (Special Registry) in Brno. They will issue a Czech Birth Certificate.
- Passport Application: Once you have your Czech Birth Certificate, you can apply for a Czech Passport at an embassy or in Czechia.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Consular Fee for Declaration | 500 CZK (approx. $22 USD) |
| Czech Birth Certificate Issuance | 300 CZK (approx. $13 USD) |
| Standard Passport Fee | 600 CZK (approx. $26 USD) |
| Expedited Passport (8 days) | 1,200 CZK (approx. $52 USD) |
Total Estimate: Approximately 1,400–2,600 CZK in government fees. Does not include: Costs for professional genealogical research, Apostilles, or certified Czech translations, which typically range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the number of documents.
Processing Time
- Document Gathering: 2 to 6 months, depending on whether you need to request records from Czech state archives.
- Declaration Review: Officially 30 to 60 days, though current high volumes mean you should expect 3 to 6 months.
- Birth Certificate Issuance (Brno): This is a common bottleneck, currently taking 2 to 4 months.
- Passport Issuance: 30 days for standard processing. If you are in the Czech Republic, you can pay for an expedited 8-day service.
- Total Timeline: Most applicants should expect the entire process to take 9 to 15 months from the date of submission to receiving a passport.
Document Validity: Most vital records (birth/marriage certificates) do not "expire" for this process, but a Criminal Record Check (required for those over 15) is typically only valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.