For those who grew up with a grandparent from the previous nation, you’re in luck. You might be eligible for a second passport, even if you’re adopted. These passports are also known as ancestry passports as a result of successfully, you’re claiming citizenship by descent. Whereas round 50 international locations supply citizenship by descent, which lets you apply for a rustic’s passport, there’s no one-size-fits-all utility kind and course of. Each nation has totally different hoops to metaphorically leap via and charges to pay earlier than you’re eligible to use for citizenship, and subsequently, a passport.
Fortuitously, some international locations make it comparatively simple—and we use that time period loosely—to use for citizenship and a passport in the event that they’re the delivery nation of your grandparent and even great-grandparent. Whereas it’s potential to use for the whole lot by yourself, since you’re coping with totally different international locations, languages, and legal guidelines, it could be sensible to rent a 3rd get together—often known as a “citizenship advisory agency”—that can assist you.
Spain
We’re beginning with Spain as a result of its present citizenship-via-grandparent program, supplied by the Democratic Reminiscence Legislation, has an upcoming deadline: October 2025. The Democratic Reminiscence Legislation was handed in October 2022, and this system was initially scheduled to final for 2 years. Nevertheless, in 2024, it was prolonged for yet one more 12 months. To date, greater than 300,000 individuals have utilized for citizenship citing the Democratic Reminiscence Legislation. In line with the Council of Ministers, “The regulation recognises the proper to assert nationality for individuals born outdoors Spain to a father, mom, grandfather, or grandmother, initially Spanish and who, having suffered exile for political or ideological causes, beliefs, or sexual orientation and identification, misplaced or renounced their Spanish nationality.”
If you wish to apply for Spanish citizenship, which you’ll want earlier than you possibly can apply for a Spanish passport, you could have the Spanish delivery certificates of your grandparent. You’ll additionally want proof of your relationship to them, often within the type of your mother and father’ delivery certificates. In fact, you’ll want a replica of your delivery certificates as properly, and in some circumstances, proof of your grandparent’s exile, along with different paperwork. Lastly, except you qualify for an exemption, you’ll need to take two citizenship exams. One is a primary Spanish language take a look at, whereas the opposite covers Spanish customs and the nation’s structure. After you have Spanish citizenship, making use of for a passport is a reasonably pain-free course of, and the appliance charge of round $35 is among the lowest.
Eire
In line with the Nationwide Museum of Eire, one in each six Individuals boasts Irish ancestry. Emigration from the Emerald Isle peaked within the nineteenth century, but when your grandparent was one of many more moderen emigrants, or maybe they nonetheless reside in Eire, you possibly can apply for an Irish passport. First, nevertheless, you’ll have to use for citizenship through the Overseas Delivery Registry (FBR). You’ll want “lengthy kind” delivery certificates in your grandparent, your father or mother, and your self.
You’ll additionally want copies of their picture IDs (or demise certificates in the event that they’ve handed away), proof of residency for all of you, 4 passport-sized photographs, and a witness. The witness can’t be somebody who is expounded to you, they usually should follow a sure career (see the listing right here). The approval course of for FBR citizenship takes about 9 months. In case you have a sibling who additionally needs to use, they usually reside in the identical nation as you, you need to use the identical supporting paperwork and envelope, though you’ll each need to submit a separate utility kind. After you have Irish citizenship, the quickest option to get an Irish passport is to use on-line, the place you’ll need to pay round $80.
Italy
Not solely are you able to get an Italian passport in case your grandparent was born in Italy, however you additionally qualify for one in case your great-grandparent was born in Italy. First, nevertheless, you could apply for citizenship. In line with the Consulate Common of Italy in Los Angeles, “Candidates should show that their Italian-born ancestor didn’t receive any further citizenship (U.S. or different) earlier than the foreign-born youngster’s attainment of authorized maturity. It must be famous that previous to 1975, maturity was attained at age 21, whereas from 1975 and as much as the current, maturity is ready at age 18.”
The charge to use has additionally not too long ago doubled from 300 euros to 600 euros. There’s additionally some effective print. For those who had been born previous to Jan. 1, 1948, you possibly can solely obtain Italian citizenship by ancestry through male lineage. For those who had been born previous to 1948 and need to apply for citizenship by leveraging feminine lineage, you’ll need to make an attraction to the Italian civil court docket. After you have your Italian citizenship, you possibly can apply for an Italian passport. You’ll need to do it in individual, often on the nearest Italian embassy or consulate, and pay a charge of round $130.
Poland
Like Italy, Poland practices the precept of jus sanguinis, which is Latin for “proper of blood.” Underneath jus sanguinis, Polish citizenship will be handed down via your ancestors (together with great-grandparents), however there are a couple of caveats. First, as a result of Poland didn’t achieve its independence till comparatively not too long ago, your grandparent or great-grandparent needed to have been born or lived in Poland after January 1920. Second, your grandparent will need to have been a Polish citizen when your father or mother was born. And third, your grandparent and father or mother will need to have by no means renounced or misplaced their Polish citizenship.
To use, you’ll want a number of paperwork, together with (however not restricted to) delivery certificates, demise certificates, picture IDs, and proof that your grandparent and father or mother by no means gave up their Polish citizenship. You’ll additionally have to translate all paperwork into Polish utilizing an official translator or Polish consul. The approval course of takes round one 12 months. After being granted Polish citizenship, you possibly can apply for a Polish passport. You’ll need to ebook an in-person appointment at your nearest Polish embassy or consulate and pay a charge of $129.