Citizenship by Birth: How a Child Acquires Lithuanian Citizenship

Cases When a Child Acquires Lithuanian Citizenship by Birth

Dual Citizenship and Lithuanian Citizenship for Children Born Abroad or to Mixed Families

Key Points to Remember

• Lithuanian citizenship for children is primarily based on the parents’ citizenship (jus sanguinis).

• Birthplace does not affect the child’s eligibility.

• All documents issued in languages other than Lithuanian must be translated and legalized or apostilled according to Lithuanian law.

• Children born to mixed-nationality families can hold dual citizenship, but rules depend on how the other citizenship is acquired.

Need Help Confirming Your Child’s Lithuanian Citizenship?

Not sure if your child qualifies for Lithuanian citizenship for children? We offer a free initial legal assessment of your child’s case by email.

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New Law Amendments on Dual Citizenship (Effective 01 January 2021)

According to the new provisions, all minors under 18 years old who acquire Lithuanian citizenship by birth are entitled to hold both Lithuanian citizenship and the citizenship of another country, regardless of whether the other citizenship was acquired by birth or later, up until they turn 18.

Citizenship Confirmation for Persons Born Between 1990–2008

Persons born between 11 March 1990 and 21 July 2008 to at least one parent who was a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may be entitled to Lithuanian citizenship by birth. In many cases, however, the issue of Lithuanian citizenship was not formally resolved during childhood due to living abroad, lack of information, or previous administrative practice.

Lithuanian law now provides a clear legal mechanism to confirm Lithuanian citizenship even after reaching adulthood. This procedure allows eligible individuals to apply for recognition as citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, regardless of whether the application was submitted before or after the age of 18.

Below, we explain who is eligible, how the procedure works, what documents are required, and whether dual citizenship is permitted in such cases.

Can Lithuanian Citizenship Be Confirmed After the Age of 18?

Yes. Under current Lithuanian law, individuals whose Lithuanian citizenship status was not resolved before reaching adulthood may apply after the age of 18 to be recognized as citizens of the Republic of Lithuania.

This is a significant change from earlier legal practice, under which it was believed that the issue of a child’s Lithuanian citizenship had to be resolved before the age of 18. As a result, many individuals born abroad to Lithuanian parents were previously unable to confirm their Lithuanian citizenship. This is no longer the case.

Who Is Eligible to Apply After the Age of 18?

You may apply for confirmation of Lithuanian citizenship if all of the following conditions are met:

• You were born between 11 March 1990 and 21 July 2008;

• At the time of your birth, one or both of your parents were citizens of the Republic of Lithuania;

• You acquired the citizenship of another country at birth or before the age of 18;

• The issue of your Lithuanian citizenship was not examined or resolved before you turned 18.

This provision is particularly relevant for members of the Lithuanian diaspora who were born and raised abroad and whose parents did not arrange Lithuanian citizenship documentation during childhood.

Dual Citizenship After the Age of 18

Dual (multiple) citizenship is allowed in these cases.

You are entitled to retain dual citizenship for life if:

• Lithuanian citizenship was acquired by birth, and

• Another country’s citizenship was acquired by birth or before the age of 18 (including cases where it was acquired not by birth).

This commonly applies to individuals born in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other states granting citizenship by birth or during childhood.

How to Submit the Application

The application must be submitted electronically via the MIGRIS system.

After submitting the application, you must:

• Appear in person within 4 months at the Migration Department in Lithuania or at a Lithuanian consulate abroad, or

• Have the documents submitted by an authorized representative in Lithuania.

If the original documents are not submitted within the prescribed time limit, the application will be considered invalid.

Lithuanian Citizenship for Children: Required Documents and Procedures

To confirm Lithuanian citizenship after the age of 18, the following documents must be submitted:

• A valid passport;

• Documents proving the family relationship with your parent(s);

• Documents confirming that one or both parents were citizens of the Republic of Lithuania at the time of your birth;

• Documents confirming the acquisition of another country’s citizenship at birth or before the age of 18, such as:

  • an official foreign document stating that you have been a citizen of that country since birth;

  • a foreign passport issued before the age of 18;

  • other equivalent evidence.

Translation and Legalization Requirements

• All documents must be translated into Lithuanian;

• Translations must be certified by a qualified translator;

• Foreign documents must be legalized or certified with an Apostille, except for documents issued by Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova, and in certain humanitarian situations.

Key Rules 

For a detailed explanation of the legal background, eligibility criteria, and practical application steps, please see our article Can a Child Obtain Lithuanian Citizenship After the Age of 18?.

Lithuanian Citizenship for Children Born After 22 July 2008

For children born abroad, the child’s birth must first be registered in Lithuania, and the birth must be recorded in the Lithuanian civil registry system.

Free Initial Consultation

Not sure if your child qualifies for Lithuanian Citizenship for Children? We offer a free initial legal assessment of your child’s case by email.

Get a professional evaluation: info@migration.lt 

Issuance of Lithuanian Passport for a Child

After Lithuanian citizenship is confirmed or acquired by birth, parents may apply for the issuance of a Lithuanian passport or identity card for the child.

The passport is issued by the Migration Department in Lithuania or by a Lithuanian diplomatic mission/consulate abroad.

Prior to applying for a passport, the child’s birth must be registered in Lithuania and the birth record must be entered into the Lithuanian civil registry system.

For detailed instructions, documents and procedures, see:

• Issuance of a Lithuanian Passport for a Child Born Abroad – step-by-step guide for parents.

• Lithuanian Passport: Order of Issuing and Deadlines – official deadlines and requirements.

• Registration of Child Birth Born Abroad in Lithuanian Civil Records – how to include your child’s birth in the Lithuanian registry.

Special Cases of Citizenship Acquisition by Children

Children With Unknown, Missing, or Incapacitated Parents

Citizenship of Adopted Children

Citizenship When Parents Regain Lithuanian Citizenship

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