Citizenship by Descent (Section 7, 2j)

The application for Slovak citizenship-by-descent is a two-part process that involves applying for permanent residency and citizenship simultaneously. You can submit your application at a Slovak Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence, or directly at the District Office (Okresný úrad) in Bratislava for faster processing. While the law mentions "residency," for descendants, this is currently treated as a paper-based registration rather than a requirement to physically move to Slovakia.

Step 1: Document Preparation and Legalization

Before applying, you must gather all necessary records. Every document issued outside of Slovakia must be apostilled (a form of international legalization) and then translated into Slovak by an official translator registered with the Slovak Ministry of Justice.

• Proof of Ancestry: Birth, marriage, and death certificates linking you to your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
• Proof of Ancestor's Citizenship: Documents showing your ancestor was a Czechoslovak citizen born in the territory of the modern-day Slovak Republic (e.g., old passports, military records, or census data).
• Criminal Record Check: Obtain a background check from your country of birth and any country where you have lived. These must be less than 90 days old when you submit your application.
• Curriculum Vitae: Write a brief biography of your life, signed and dated, in Slovak.

Step 2: Simultaneous Submission

You will submit two separate applications at the same time:

1. Permanent Residency: Apply for residency based on "reasons of special consideration." This is the legal bridge that allows you to qualify for citizenship.
2. Citizenship Application: Submit your formal request for citizenship under Section 7, paragraph 2, letter j of the Citizenship Act.

Step 3: Background Review

Your file is sent to the Slovak Ministry of Interior. They will coordinate with the police and national intelligence services to conduct a background check. During this time, you do not need to be present in Slovakia.

Step 4: Approval and the Citizenship Oath

If approved, you will be notified to attend a ceremony to take the Citizenship Oath. Once the oath is taken, you will receive your Certificate of Slovak Citizenship, which you can then use to apply for a Slovak passport and ID card.

Total Estimated Cost: Approximately €640 to €2,120. Note: This total does not include travel expenses to the embassy or Bratislava, passport issuance fees, or fees for retrieving historical records from archives.

• Residency Permit: Officially processed within 90 days.
• Citizenship Decision: The Ministry of Interior has a legal limit of 24 months to issue a decision.
• Current Reality (2025-2026): Most straightforward cases are being completed within 6 to 12 months.
• Document Validity: Your Criminal Record Check is only valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Ensure all other genealogical documents are ready before requesting your background check to avoid it expiring before your appointment.