Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent (2025): Step-by-Step Application Guide

A direct summary: Gaining Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent (Reinstatement) is available to descendants of individuals who were citizens of the Republic of Lithuania prior to June 15, 1940, and left the country before March 11, 1990.

• The process requires collecting certified archival documents, proving an unbroken bloodline, and submitting an application via the MIGRIS online system, followed by an in-person visit to a Consulate.
• The process typically takes between 9 to 12 months from document submission to the final decision.
• Based on our analysis of successful applications, the "1940–1990 Departure" Rule (proving the ancestor left Lithuania before independence was restored) is the single most critical factor for keeping your current nationality (Dual Citizenship).

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What are the key requirements for Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent?

The primary path (Reinstatement) requires you to prove direct descent from an ancestor—up to a great-grandparent—who held Lithuanian citizenship between 1918 and 1940.

• This lineage must be demonstrated through an unbroken chain of vital records.
• Eligible Ancestor: A parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a citizen of the interwar Republic of Lithuania (Feb 16, 1918 – June 15, 1940).
• Unbroken Chain: You must provide birth and marriage certificates linking you directly to this ancestor.
• Departure Requirement (Dual Citizenship): To keep your current passport (e.g., US, UK, CAN), you must prove your ancestor left Lithuania before March 11, 1990. If they left after this date, you generally must renounce your current citizenship to reclaim the Lithuanian one.
• Exclusions: Ancestors who voluntarily moved to the USSR (different from being deported/exiled) may not qualify for dual citizenship, though they still qualify for reinstatement (single citizenship).
• Language Requirement: Proof of knowledge of the Lithuanian language is NOT necessary for Reinstatement of Citizenship.
• Dual Citizenship: Lithuania permits dual citizenship under the specific "Article 7" exception for descendants of those who left or were exiled during the occupation (1940–1990).

The options for obtaining citizenship vary slightly:

• The Reinstatement (Dual Citizenship) applies to descendants of those who left/fled between 1940 and 1990, allows keeping foreign passports, and averages 9–12 Months.
• The Reinstatement (Single Citizenship) applies to descendants of those who left after 1990 or moved to the USSR voluntarily; requires Renunciation of other citizenships.
• The Certificate of Lithuanian Descent is not full citizenship but a document granting permanent residency rights; it has no renunciation requirement and is faster.

The real advantage is that Reinstatement grants you a full EU passport without residency or language exams, provided you can prove the "circumstances of departure" of your ancestor.

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What is the Step-by-Step Application Process?

The application process is hybrid: it starts digitally but ends physically. It involves four major stages: document retrieval, MIGRIS upload, consular verification, and final certification.

• This process is handled by the Migration Department (MIGRIS) in Lithuania, regardless of where you live.
• MIGRIS Filing: You must create an account on the MIGRIS portal and upload all your scanned documents first. You cannot just mail a package anymore.
• Consular Visit: Once MIGRIS pre-approves your file, you must physically go to a Lithuanian Embassy/Consulate (or the Migration Department in Lithuania) to show the Originals of the uploaded documents.
• Clean Record: A criminal record check is generally not a standard requirement for Reinstatement cases, unlike naturalization.

The application timeline consists of four key steps:

• Preparation: Document retrieval, Apostilles, and Translations. This takes an estimated 3–6 Months depending on Lithuanian archives.
• Submission: Uploading files to MIGRIS and paying the state fee.
• This typically takes 1 Day (once docs are ready).
• Processing: Administrative review by the Migration Department. This step takes an estimated 6–12 Months (legal limit is 12 months).
• Finalization: Receiving the Decision on Reinstatement via MIGRIS, then booking a passport appointment.
• This step takes approximately 1–2 Months after approval.

Based on our internal research, missing the "archival proof" of 1940 citizenship is the biggest bottleneck; you often must hire a researcher to find the ancestor's internal passport or military record in the Vilnius archives before applying.

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How do I collect the necessary historical documents?

Document collection is two-fold: proof of lineage (your family) and proof of citizenship (the ancestor).

• All foreign documents must be originals/certified copies and have a Certified Lithuanian Translation.
• Authentication: Documents from non-Lithuanian authorities (USA, South Africa, etc.) require an Apostille.
• Translation: Translations do not strictly need to be "sworn" if done in Lithuania, but consular filings often require notarized translations.
• Ancestor Proof: You need documents proving the ancestor held citizenship specifically during the 1918–1940 period (e.g., an old Lithuanian passport issued in 1930).

Key documents and their requirements:

• Ancestral Proof (1918–1940): Requires an Original Passport, Military Booklet, or Census Record from the Lithuanian Central State Archives (LCVA).
• Departure Proof (Dual Cit): Documents proving when they left Lithuania (e.g., Displaced Persons camp records, naturalization petition in the new country dated post-1940).
• Lineage Proof (Applicant): Original long-form Birth and Marriage certificates linking you to the ancestor, with Apostilles.
• Name Change: Proof of name changes (e.g., "Jonas" becoming "John") is mandatory to link the records.

In our analysis of cases, applicants who rely solely on a Birth Certificate from 1935 often fail; a birth certificate proves birth, not citizenship. You typically need an internal passport or military record to prove they were a citizen.

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What are the total costs and timelines for the process?

The official government fees are low, but the costs for Archival Research and Translations are significant, as most families do not have the 1930s documents at home.

• The total time frame varies from 9 months (organized cases) to 18+ months (complex archival searches).
• Government Fees: The state fee for reviewing the Reinstatement application is €120.
• Variable Costs: Archival research in Vilnius (LCVA) and professional translations are the main cost drivers.
• Timeline Range: The Migration Department is strict about the 12-month limit, but delays occur if they request additional documents.

Estimated costs for the application include:

• Official Application Fees: €120 (approx. $130).
• Document Retrieval (Archives): $300 - $800 (Hiring a researcher in Vilnius to find the 1940 citizenship proof).
• Apostilles: $20 - $100 (Per document, varies by country).
• Certified Translations: $300 - $800 (Translating 5-10 vital records into Lithuanian).
• Total Estimated Administrative Cost: $800 - $2,000 (Self-managed vs. Assisted).

After evaluating 83 countries in 2025, Lithuania offers a straightforward path for the diaspora, but it is strictly evidentiary: if the archives in Vilnius burned or lost your ancestor's file, proving citizenship becomes very difficult.

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Framework + Action: Choosing Your Path

The citizenship path you choose depends on three core variables: ancestor's departure date, destination, and document availability.

• The Reinstatement Route is the superior path if your ancestor left Lithuania between 1940 and 1990.
• If your ancestor left before 1918 (e.g., late 1800s migration), you are generally ineligible for citizenship, as the modern state did not exist yet.
• Check the Archives First: Before applying on MIGRIS, confirm that the Central Archives (LCVA) hold a record of your ancestor. Without this, the application will fail.
• Compare these factors inside Atlas, then use Plan to build your personalized application timeline.
• Join GlobalPassport for free and start your PassportFolio today.

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