Lithuanian Citizenship by Heritage

On behalf of the Consulate General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, we would like to provide official information about the process and requirements to reinstate citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. The Consulate General of Lithuania stands ready to guide and assist you throughout the process.

Am I eligible to obtain Lithuanian citizenship without renouncing current U.S. citizenship?

YES, if you, or at least one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940 and were exiled or left Lithuania before March 11, 1990. For example, if you were born in the U.S. and your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were citizens of Lithuania (1918-1940) and left Lithuania before 1990, you have right to reinstate Lithuanian citizenship. Please note that part of Lithuania (e.g. Vilnius district) was occupied and did not belong to the Republic of Lithuania between 1918 and 1940.

NO, if one your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in the territory of Lithuania but left it before February 16, 1918 and did not hold Lithuanian citizenship (you might still get Lithuanian citizenship, but you should renounce your U.S. citizenship). Please note that the Republic of Lithuania existed between February 16, 1918 and June 15, 1940.

NO, if you or at least one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940 but were not exiled and left the Republic of Lithuania after March 11, 1990 (you could still get Lithuanian citizenship, but you will need to renounce your U.S. citizenship).

What documents do I need to submit?

• Your valid passport(s);
• Documents proving that you or at least one of parents, grandparents or great-grandparents held a citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania before June 15, 1940, for example:
  • Internal or foreign passports of the Republic of Lithuania issued before June 15, 1940;
  • Foreign passports of the Republic of Lithuania issued by diplomatic missions or consular institutions of the Republic of Lithuania abroad after June 15, 1940;
  • Documents attesting to the person’s service in the Lithuanian armed forces or employment in the civil service;
  • Birth certificates (if the birth took place in the territory of Republic of Lithuania within boundaries of 1918-1940) issued by Lithuanian authorities or other documents issued by Lithuanian authorities and having direct reference to Lithuanian citizenship. Please note that the fact of birth in Lithuania by itself alone does not mean that a person became a citizen of Lithuania;
  • personal certificates issued before June 15, 1940 in Lithuania or personal certificates issued on the basis of documents issued before June 15, 1940;
  • In the absence of the above documents – documents concerning studies, work and life in Lithuania before June 15, 1940;
  • ATTENTION: If none of the abovementioned documents are available, documents about the fact that a person held a citizenship of Lithuania before 15 June 1940 can be requested from the Lithuanian Central State Archives by email lcva@archyvai.lt (application forms).
• Documents proving that you (or one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents) were exiled or left Lithuania before March 11, 1990, for example:
  • U.S. naturalization certificate, documents from refugee camps, old passports of foreign countries, U.S. marriage certificates, etc. (issued prior to 11 March 1990);
  • Certificate from Lithuanian Special Archive about the fact of forceful removal, court documents, etc. In order to get archive documents about the fact of exile (forceful removal) by occupational regime, please contact Lithuanian Special Archives by email lya@archyvai.lt (application forms).
• Documents indicating relationship between you and the person who held Lithuanian citizenship prior to June 15, 1940 (e.g. birth certificates)
  • In order to get Lithuanian vital records (birth, marriage and death) issued prior 1940, please contact Lithuanian State Historical Archives by email istorijos.archyvas@lvia.lt (application forms).
• Documents evidencing the change of name or surname if your or ancestors’ name or surname were changed or modified (e.g. marriage certificates, court decisions, U.S. Social security administration official documents, etc.)

IMPORTANT:

• Application can be submitted only with all supporting documents;
• All foreign documents (except passports) must be officially translated into Lithuanian.
• All foreign documents (for example, U.S. birth certificate, marriage certificate; except the passports and U.S. naturalization certificate) must be validated by Apostille by the Office of the Secretary of State in the U.S. state in which it was issued.
• Enclosed documents shall be originals or copies validated by a public notary. All the notary certified copies (except those certified in the Republic of Lithuania) will need to be additionally certified with Apostille.

What is the fee for processing documents?

Consular fee is the equivalent of 50 EUR (in December 2019 the fee was 55 USD).

How long does the process take?

If all required documents are submitted, the process usually takes 12-15 months. 

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the Consulate General of Lithuania at (424)465-9901 or cons.losangeles@mfa.lt.