How to Get Croatian Citizenship by Descent for U.S. Citizens
Requirements, Eligibility, and a Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent is an exciting opportunity for U.S. citizens with Croatian roots to reconnect with their heritage and gain the benefits of an EU passport—allowing you to live, work, and travel freely across the European Union. This guide focuses specifically on how Americans can apply for Croatian citizenship, explaining eligibility under the Croatian Citizenship Act, the main application pathways (Article 11 and Article 16), and the documentation process for applicants submitting from the United States.
Croatian Citizenship Requirements for U.S. Citizens: Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Croatian citizenship by descent as a U.S. citizen, you must meet at least one of the legal pathways and prove your eligibility with official documents. Most Americans qualify under one of these two options:
Requirements for Croatian Citizenship for U.S. Citizens
If you are applying from the United States, your most critical steps involve apostilles, certified translations, and ensuring all documents match perfectly.
Core U.S. requirements you should plan for:
• State-issued documents (like vital records) require an apostille from the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued.
• The FBI Criminal Record Check must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State (Authentications Office in Washington, D.C.).
Required Documents Checklist for U.S. Applicants
Before submitting your application, gather and prepare the following documentation carefully.
Ancestry Documents
- Croatian ancestor’s birth certificate (or proof of birth in the relevant territory).
- Ancestor’s marriage and death certificates (as needed to prove lineage and name changes).
- Emigration records proving the ancestor emigrated before October 8, 1991 (for Article 11 cases).
Personal Application Documents
- Your birth certificate and those of every generation between you and the ancestor (plus marriage certificates where surnames changed).
- FBI Background Check (must be less than 6 months old, apostilled, and translated).
- Completed application form(s) and required questionnaire (per MUP or consular instructions).
- CV/Resume (often required in Croatian).
- Motivation letter explaining who emigrated, when and why, how you are related, and your connection to Croatian heritage (some consulates require it in Croatian).
- Optional but helpful: family tree diagram and supporting community or identity documents (especially for Article 16 cases).
Step-by-Step Guide: How U.S. Citizens Can Claim Croatian Citizenship by Descent
Follow these 8 steps to complete the procedure for acquiring Croatian citizenship and a Croatian Passport as an American applicant:
Prove Lineage
Collect an unbroken chain of birth and marriage certificates linking you directly to your Croatian ancestor.
- Gather Croatian ancestor's birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Collect your birth certificate and family documents
- Document unbroken chain from ancestor to you
- Verify ancestor was Croatian citizen at time of birth
Get FBI Background Check
Request your FBI check early. It must be less than 6 months old at submission and translated into Croatian.
- Required for all applicants over 14 years old
- Must be less than 6 months old when submitted
- Apply through FBI's official website or approved channelers
- Processing time: 3-5 business days for electronic submission
Apostille and Translate
Apostille all U.S. documents and obtain certified Croatian translations before submission.
- Apostille required for international document recognition
- Obtain from your state's Secretary of State office
- Translate all non-Croatian documents by certified translators
- FBI background check needs apostille from U.S. State Department
Complete Application Forms
Fill out the official application form, questionnaire, CV, and motivation letter.
- Application for Croatian citizenship by descent
- Personal information forms and CV
- Family tree documentation
- Letter of motivation about Croatian identity and connection
Submit at Croatian Consulate
If you do not have temporary or permanent residence in Croatia, submit your application at the Croatian Embassy or Consulate serving your U.S. state of residence.
- Schedule appointment at nearest Croatian consulate
- Bring all original documents and copies
- Pay application fee (currently $230-300 USD)
- Provide biometric data if required
Application Review & Approval
Your file is reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) in Croatia, which makes the final decision.
- Application reviewed by Croatian Ministry of Interior
- Processing time typically 6-18 months
- May request additional documentation
- Decision communicated through consulate
Receive Croatian Citizenship Certificate
Once approved, you’ll be entered into the Register of Citizens and can obtain your Domovnica (proof of citizenship).
- Certificate proves your Croatian citizenship
- Required for passport application
- Official document in Croatian language
- Can be collected at consulate or by our Croatian Lawyer on your behalf
Apply for Croatian Passport
After receiving your Domovnica, apply for your Croatian passport (and optional ID card) at the consulate or in Croatia.
- Apply at Croatian consulate with citizenship certificate (or in Croatia)
- Provides full EU mobility rights
- No separate residence permits needed in most EU countries
- Dual citizenship with U.S. passport maintained
Expected Timeline for U.S. Applicants
The complete process to get Croatian Citizenship by Descent as an American is around 2.5-3 years from start to finish
Document Collection
2-6 months
Gathering all required documents from various sources
Translation & Apostille
1-2 months
Professional translation and government certification
Consulate Processing and Minister of Interior Review
6-18 months
Review and decision by Croatian authorities
Croatian Citizenship Certificate
1-2 months
Receiving your Croatian citizenship certificate
Important Things to Know
✅ What’s Allowed
- • Dual citizenship (keep U.S. citizenship)
- • Apply for family members simultaneously
- • Work and live anywhere in EU
- • Pass citizenship to your children
⚠️ Common Challenges
- • Finding Croatian ancestor documents
- • Navigating Croatian bureaucracy
- • Long processing times
- • Language barriers with officials
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common questions about Croatian citizenship by descent for U.S. citizens
Can I have dual citizenship with a U.S. passport?
Yes. Croatia generally allows dual citizenship for those acquiring citizenship by descent, so U.S. citizens can usually keep their American citizenship while becoming Croatian.
Where do I submit the Croatian citizenship application?
U.S. citizens submit their applications at the Croatian Embassy or Consulate responsible for their state of residence. If you live in Croatia with legal stay, you can apply at the local police administration office.
How long does the process take?
Most U.S. applicants can expect 6–18 months after submission, though complex lineage or document issues can extend the timeline.
Can I apply for my family members simultaneously?
Yes, especially for minor children, though additional parental consent and documentation may be required.
How can a U.S. citizen get Croatian citizenship?
A U.S. citizen can obtain Croatian citizenship by:
- • Qualifying under a legal pathway (most commonly Article 11 for emigrants/descendants or Article 16 for belonging to the Croatian people).
- • Collecting proof of lineage and emigration timing.
- • Preparing U.S. documents with apostilles and certified Croatian translations.
- • Submitting the full application at the Croatian consulate or embassy in the U.S. (or in Croatia if you have legal stay).
Can Americans get dual citizenship with Croatia?
Yes. Croatia allows dual citizenship for most descent-based applicants, meaning Americans can hold both U.S. and Croatian passports.
Am I eligible for Croatian citizenship if my grandfather was born there?
Possibly, yes. If your grandfather qualifies as a Croatian emigrant (meaning he left the territory of present-day Croatia before October 8, 1991 intending to live abroad), you may be eligible under Article 11 as long as you can prove your direct-line relationship with an unbroken chain of documents and provide emigration proof. If the emigrant timing rules don’t fit, you may still qualify under Article 16 if you can prove belonging to the Croatian people.
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