How to Get Croatian Citizenship by Descent
If you have Croatian ancestry, you may be eligible for Croatian citizenship by descent — even if you were born in Canada. This guide explains how to get Croatian citizenship, how to apply, and what to expect at each stage of the process under Croatian Citizenship law.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Croatian Citizenship
Simple if you know what you are doing
Eligibility Check – Are You Entitled to Croatian Citizenship by Descent?
Before anything, you'll want to confirm you're eligible. If you have Croatian ancestors, especially through your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, you may qualify for citizenship by descent under Article 11 of the Croatian Citizenship Act.
Take our 2-minute eligibility quiz to find out
Document Collection – Proving Croatian Ancestry
To apply for Croatian citizenship, you’ll need to gather several key documents, including your birth certificate, proof of your Croatian ancestor’s birth record (from church or civil archives in Croatia), proof of emigration if available, and criminal background checks from your country of residence. All essential documents must be apostilled and officially translated. Collecting these documents typically takes 2–4 months if done independently, but our team of experts and Croatian Lawyer partners can assist with archive searches, translations, and apostille coordination to make the process faster and easier.
Croatian Consulate or Embassy Appointment in Canada
Once your file is ready, you’ll submit your Croatian citizenship application at the nearest Croatian consulate or embasy (for example, in Ottawa or Mississauga). Getting an appointment can take 1–6 months, so it’s best to prepare early. During your visit, you’ll sign your application and submit all apostilled and translated documents.
Ministry Review – Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP)
After submission, your case is reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) in Zagreb, where Croatian Citizenship Law is applied to verify your ancestry and eligibility. During this stage, our Croatian lawyer partners represent you before the Ministry, ensuring that all documents are properly submitted, inquiries are handled promptly, and any follow-ups are managed on your behalf. Processing time usually ranges from 12–18 months, depending on your case and consulate. Patience is key — but with professional representation and regular follow-ups, your file continues moving smoothly through the system.
Application Approval
Once approved, the consulate will notify you and help finalize your citizenship registration. This step typically takes 1–2 months. Congratulations — you are now officially a citizen of Croatia!
Croatian Citizenship Certificate (Domovnica)
After approval, a request can be made for your Domovnica — the official document proving your Croatian citizenship. Our experts and Croatian Lawyer Partners can help you with this also. It can take about 1-6 months to receive if ordered through the consulate, depending on consulate workload. Our Croatian Lawyer Partners can usually issue it in and ship it to you in less than 1 month. This document is essential for all future steps, including obtaining a Croatian passport.
Croatian Passport
Finally, you can apply for your Croatian passport at your nearest consulate or directly in Croatia. This is typically the fastest step — most applicants receive their passports within 1-6 months through the consulate. But there are ways to get it in a few days with our guidance. Your new passport gives you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 170+ countries, including all of Europe, the UK, and Japan.
The full process of how to obtain Croatian citizenship by descent varies depending on documentation and government timelines, but with proper preparation, it is estimated to take about 2-3 years.
Dual Citizenship for Canadians and Americans
Croatia allows dual citizenship, so you can keep your Canadian or U.S. passport while gaining full rights as a citizen of Croatia.
You'll be recognized as both a Croatian and Canadian (or American) citizen, with no loss of existing nationality.
Canadian Citizens
Canada recognizes dual citizenship. You can hold both Canadian and Croatian passports simultaneously without any legal issues.
American Citizens
The U.S. allows dual citizenship. You can maintain your American citizenship while becoming a Croatian citizen through descent.
Why Work With Experts
Many applicants prefer to work with experts who understand both Canadian and Croatian legal systems.
We assist with eligibility checks, Croatian archive record searches, translations, and government follow-ups to make the process stress-free.
Eligibility Checks
Expert assessment of your qualification
Archive Searches
Croatian record retrieval services
Translations
Certified document translation
Follow-ups
Government communication handling
Rather let the Experts Handle It?
Skip the paperwork and stress — our team and Croatian lawyer partners manage the entire citizenship process for you, from eligibility to your Croatian Citizenship approval.
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