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Ancestra helps you research, qualify for, and file citizenship by descent — across 120+ countries on five continents. Trace your lineage, recover the documents that prove it, get a written eligibility opinion, and connect with the right professionals to file your case. Start with our free 4-minute eligibility check.
Case File
Rosselli · Italy → USA
Applicant
M. Rosselli
b. 1992, New York
Father
G. Rosselli
b. 1961, NYC
Mother
C. Marconi
b. 1963, NYC
Grandfather · Anchor ancestor
Antonio Rosselli
b. 1934, Palermo · Emigrated 1958 · Never naturalized US
Compiled dossier · 17 documents
Years
Of practice
1,200+
Citizenships secured
120+
Countries covered
98%
Approval rate
11 yrs
Since 2014
What we do
We are genealogists, paralegals, translators, and admitted counsel, under one roof. You speak to one case lead, from first consultation to oath ceremony.
01 · Discipline
Trace the lineage that qualifies you.
Deliverables
02 · Discipline
Recover every record that proves the line.
Deliverables
03 · Discipline
Know the law — and your standing under it.
Deliverables
04 · Discipline
A flawless dossier, ready for filing.
Deliverables
05 · Discipline
We file — and stay with you to the oath.
Deliverables
Where we practice
From Italy's open jure sanguinis regime to Canada's Bill C-71, from Mexico's grandparent rule to South Africa's descent registration — we cover every CBD program that is practically achievable for the diaspora families we serve. All countries are listed alphabetically within each region.
The most generous and litigated citizenship-by-descent regimes in the world. We file under consular, judicial, and administrative paths — whichever is fastest for your case.
27 countries · alphabetized A→Z
Austrian citizenship is generally transmitted by descent, but Austria's strict stance on dual citizenship means applicants often must renounce their current nationality. Exceptions exist for descendants of Nazi-era persecutees (StbG §58c).
Belgian nationality passes by descent to children of Belgian nationals, with options for grandchildren under certain conditions. We file through the Belgian consulate or the commune of the ancestor's last residence.
Bulgarian citizenship by descent is available to children and grandchildren of Bulgarian citizens by origin. We coordinate with the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and consulates, recovering pre-1944 records from the National Archives in Sofia.
Croatian citizenship by descent is available to ethnic Croat descendants and to children of Croatian citizens. We file through the Ministry of Interior (MUP) and recover pre-1991 Yugoslav records from the Croatian State Archives.
Cypriot citizenship by descent is generously extended to children of Cypriot nationals, with provisions for grandchildren through registration. We file through the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia or via Cypriot consulates.
Czech citizenship by descent was significantly expanded by the 2019 amendment, allowing second-generation descendants and certain prior Czechoslovak citizens to claim citizenship. We file through the Ministry of Interior in Prague and recover pre-1993 Czechoslovak records.
Danish citizenship by descent is transmitted through Danish parents, with the 2014 amendment remedying several historical gender inequities. We file through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and Danish consulates.
Estonian citizenship by descent is uniquely generous: descendants of Estonian citizens as of 1918–1940 may qualify, with restored continuity after Soviet occupation. We file through the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) and recover pre-war Tallinn/Tartu records.
Finnish citizenship by descent is transmitted through Finnish parents, with the 2003 amendment extending eligibility to children of Finnish mothers who lost citizenship through marriage before 1963. We file through the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and Finnish consulates.
French nationality by descent follows a droits du sang (right of blood) principle. Recent reforms (2024) restore nationality to descendants of individuals who lost French citizenship by marriage. We file through the Tribunal Judiciaire and French consulates.
For descendants of those persecuted under the Nazi regime (1933–1945), Article 116 of the Basic Law provides a constitutional right to German citizenship. We file under StAG §15 for victims, descendants, and survivors of all persecuted groups. The 2021 reform remedied prior gender-equal treatment gaps.
Greek citizenship by descent is transmitted through Greek parents, with the 2015 amendment enabling registration of children born abroad. We file through the Greek consulate (with the relevant municipality in Greece) and recover records from the General State Archives in Athens.
Hungarian citizenship by descent is available under simplified naturalization for descendants of Hungarian nationals, with no generational limit, provided basic Hungarian language is demonstrated. We file through the Budapest Office of Immigration and recover pre-1920 records from the National Archives.
If you have one Irish-born grandparent, you are eligible for the Foreign Births Register. Your parent must have been registered before your birth in some cases — we trace the chain and confirm eligibility precisely. Ireland permits dual citizenship and recognizes all diaspora returns.
The most accessible CBD regime in Europe. No limit on generations provided the line was never broken by naturalization before the next child's birth. We handle both consular filings and the accelerated judicial path (1948 cases) in Rome.
Latvian citizenship by descent is available to descendants of Latvian citizens as of 1918–1940, with restored continuity after Soviet occupation. We file through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) and recover inter-war Riga records.
Lithuanian citizenship by descent is available to descendants of Lithuanian citizens who held citizenship between 1918–1940, with the 2023 amendment expanding eligibility to descendants of those who emigrated before 1990. We file through the Migration Department in Vilnius.
Luxembourgish citizenship by descent was significantly expanded by the 2017 reform (Article 7), allowing descendants of Luxembourg emigrants (1890–1940 era) to reclaim citizenship. We file through the Ministry of Justice and coordinate with the Luxembourg City Archives.
Maltese citizenship by descent is generously extended to children and grandchildren of Maltese nationals. We file through Identity Malta (the Maltese citizenship authority) and recover pre-1964 records from the Public Registry in Valletta.
Dutch citizenship by descent is transmitted through Dutch parents, with the 2003 amendment introducing restrictions that the 2010 'option' procedure partly remedied. We file through the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) and Dutch consulates.
Polish citizenship passes by blood without limit, but the historical overlay (partitions, WWII, emigration) creates documentation gaps. We reconstruct pre-war residency, military, and consular records to confirm continuity through the Polish consulates or Warsaw provincial offices.
Portuguese citizenship is available to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled in the Inquisition, and to children/grandchildren of Portuguese nationals under the 2020 amendment. We coordinate with recognized Jewish communities for the required certificate.
Romanian citizenship by descent is available to descendants of Romanian citizens up to the third generation, with the 1991 Citizenship Law providing the framework. We file through the National Citizenship Authority (ANC) in Bucharest and recover pre-1989 records.
Slovak citizenship by descent is available to children of Slovak citizens, with the 2022 amendment extending eligibility to grandchildren under certain conditions. We file through the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic and recover Czechoslovak-era records.
Slovenian citizenship by descent is available to children and grandchildren of Slovenian citizens, with the 2017 amendment clarifying eligibility for descendants of pre-1991 Yugoslav-era Slovenians. We file through the Ministry of Interior in Ljubljana.
The 2022 Ley de Memoria Democrática opened Spanish citizenship to descendants of exiles from the Civil War and Franco era. We handle both the historical-exile path and standard grandparent descent.
Swedish citizenship by descent is transmitted through Swedish parents, with recent reforms remedying historical gender inequities (pre-1979 cases). We file through the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) and Swedish consulates.
Browse all 122 country guides
Each country has its own deep-dive landing page with eligibility, documents, timeline, costs, and FAQ.
How we work
Citizenship by descent is not a transaction. It is a multi-month legal engagement with dozens of moving parts. Our process keeps every part visible to you, with one case lead from start to finish and clear deliverables at every milestone.
We sit with you (and your family) for a private consultation, gather what you already know, and deliver a written eligibility opinion citing the specific statute and consular venue that applies to your case.
What you receive
Our genealogists map the qualifying line — civil registries, parish records, immigration manifests, census rolls, military drafts. We then retrieve every supporting document, with apostille and certified translation.
What you receive
With documents in hand, we re-confirm eligibility, identify any disqualifiers or discrepancies (name variants, date conflicts, prior renunciations), and choose the fastest filing venue — consular, judicial, or in-country administrative.
What you receive
Our paralegals compile the application binder in the exact format the filing authority requires — application forms, originals, translations, apostilles, supporting letters, cross-reference indexes. Counsel signs off before submission.
What you receive
We book the consular appointment or file with the ministry, attend the appointment with you (where required), draft every RFE response, and stay with you until the oath is sworn and the passport is in your hand.
What you receive
We attend your oath ceremony (in person or by proxy), file your passport application, and brief you on the dual-status tax and civic obligations that come with your new nationality. Then we close the file — and stay on call for your family's next chapter.
Free · confidential · 5 minutes
Answer six short sections about your family and your situation. A specialist will review your facts and reply within 48 hours with a written, no-obligation preliminary assessment.
Step 1 of 6
17% complete
We cover 122 countries across five continents.
Client portal
Once you retain Ancestra, you receive a private, encrypted portal. Every document we retrieve, every filing we make, every counsel message — all in one place, accessible to you and the family members you authorize. No more chasing the firm for updates.
Discovery & eligibility memo
Genealogy research complete
Documents retrieved (Italy)
Translations & apostilles
Dossier compiled
Consular appointment booked
Consular interview
Approval & oath ceremony
Passport issuance
Illustrative case. Your portal will reflect the specifics of your file, your country, and your family.
Why Ancestra
Citizenship by descent is not an immigration product. It is the reconstruction of a legal relationship that was, in many cases, broken by war, migration, or simply time. We treat every case with the seriousness that deserves.
Ancestra is led by admitted attorneys in the US, EU, and LatAm. Every case is supervised by counsel, every filing is signed by counsel, and every conversation is privileged.
We don't outsource to third-party researchers. Our genealogists work directly with civil registry and parish archivists in 30+ countries, on retainer.
You receive a written engagement letter with a fixed fee, a clear scope, and a milestone schedule. No hourly surprises, no add-on charges mid-case.
Our team works in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, and Polish. We draft filings in the language of the receiving authority — not machine-translated.
“Three generations of my family thought Italian citizenship was lost when my grandfather naturalized in 1955. Ancestra proved it wasn't — found the 1948 court decision that opened our line, filed in Rome, and I held my Italian passport eleven months later.”
Marco V.
San Francisco → Italy · 2024
“I'd been told by two other firms that my Mexican grandmother's line wasn't recoverable. Our network of genealogists located her birth record in Jalisco, retrieved the apostille, and filed with the SRE. My entire family is now dual Mexican-American.”
Daniela R.
Phoenix → Mexico · 2024
“After Bill C-71 passed, my sister and I were finally eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent. Ancestra handled the IRCC filing, the substantial-connection documentation, and our oath ceremony in Toronto. Seamless from start to finish.”
James & Aileen K.
Boston → Canada · 2025
Accreditations & memberships
Admitted counsel in multiple jurisdictions; members of the bars and bodies below.
The Ancestra Journal
Deep guides to specific countries, legal updates as they happen, case studies from our files, and explainers on the process. Written for families researching their citizenship options — and for the AI engines that answer their questions.
If your Italian grandmother gave birth before January 1, 1948, the consular path is closed — but the judicial path is open. Here's how 1948 cases work in Rome, why they're often faster than consular filings, and what evidence you need.
L. Moretti
Lead Counsel · Milan Bar
Bill C-71, the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, restores Canadian citizenship to beyond-first-generation descendants of Canadians born abroad. Here's who qualifies, what the substantial connection test means, and how to file.
J. Tremblay
Counsel · Law Society of Ontario
The 2022 Democratic Memory Law opened Spanish citizenship to descendants of Civil War and Franco-era exiles. The application window is now open — here's what you need to know about eligibility, evidence, and the closing deadline.
C. Vega
Counsel · Madrid Bar
Article 116 of the German Basic Law grants a constitutional right to citizenship for descendants of those persecuted by the Nazi regime. The 2021 reform expanded eligibility further. Here's the complete guide.
K. Schneider
Counsel · Berlin Bar
Polish citizenship passes by blood with no generational limit — but proving it requires reconstructing pre-war records from partitioned Poland. Here's our network of genealogists' guide to the archives that matter.
M. Kowalski
Senior Genealogist
If you have one Irish-born grandparent, you're likely eligible for Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register. Here's the complete timeline, eligibility rules, and what to do if your parent wasn't registered before your birth.
N. O'Brien
Counsel · Dublin Bar
We publish 1–2 articles per month. Subscribers get the link first, plus a quarterly digest of citizenship-by-descent legal updates from the countries we cover. No marketing, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
People also ask
Plain-language, fact-dense answers — reviewed by admitted counsel — for the questions that come up most often in consultations. Designed to be citable and accurate.
What is citizenship by descent (CBD)?
Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors — typically a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent — without being born in that country. It is grounded in the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), as opposed to jus soli (right of the soil). Most CBD regimes require documentary proof of an unbroken lineage between the applicant and the qualifying ancestor. Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent, including Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and South Africa.
What is the difference between jus sanguinis and jus soli?
Jus sanguinis (Latin for 'right of blood') grants citizenship based on the citizenship of one's parents or ancestors, regardless of where one is born. Jus soli (Latin for 'right of the soil') grants citizenship based on being born in the territory of the state. Most countries use a combination of both. Citizenship by descent is the application of jus sanguinis: the applicant acquires the citizenship of their ancestor's country of origin, even if they were born in a different country.
How many countries offer citizenship by descent?
Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent. The most accessible regimes include all 27 European Union member states (with varying rules), the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, India (via OCI), the Philippines, Israel, South Korea, and Japan. Ancestra covers over 90 countries across Europe, Latin America, Canada, Africa, and Asia.
What is RCBI?
RCBI stands for Residency & Citizenship by Investment — a broader category of services that includes citizenship by investment (CBI, acquiring citizenship through a financial contribution to the country), residency by investment (RBI, acquiring residency through investment), and citizenship by descent (CBD, acquiring citizenship through ancestry). Ancestra is an RCBI platform that specializes specifically in the CBD segment.
How many generations back can I claim citizenship by descent?
It depends on the country. Italy has no generational limit — you can claim citizenship from an Italian ancestor of any generation, provided the line is unbroken. Poland also has no generational limit. Ireland is limited to grandparents (the 'grandparent rule'). Germany's Article 116 has no generational limit for descendants of Nazi-era persecutees. Hungary's simplified naturalization has no generational limit. Canada's Bill C-71 (2025) extends to second-generation and beyond with a substantial connection test. Most Latin American countries (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina) extend to grandchildren.
Can I claim citizenship through a female ancestor?
In most cases, yes — though historically many countries restricted citizenship transmission to fathers. Italy's 1948 case path was specifically created to address the pre-1948 gender rule. Germany's 2021 reform addressed gender-equal treatment gaps in Article 116 restitution. Ireland, Poland, Portugal, and most Latin American countries transmit citizenship equally through mothers and grandmothers today. Ancestra's eligibility memo flags any historical gender rule that applies to your case.
Does naturalization of my ancestor break the citizenship line?
It depends on the country and the timing. In Italy, the line is broken only if the ancestor naturalized in another country BEFORE the next child in the line was born. If they naturalized AFTER the birth, the line is intact. In Poland, naturalization after 1918 (when Poland was reconstituted) breaks the line, but naturalization before 1918 (when Poland did not exist) does not. In Ireland, the Foreign Births Register does not consider naturalization, only the Irish birth of the grandparent. Each country's rule is different — Ancestra's eligibility memo addresses this for your specific case.
Do I need to speak the language of the country?
Most citizenship-by-descent programs do not require language proficiency — Italy, Ireland, Poland (consular path), Germany (Article 116), Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and most others have no language requirement. Notable exceptions: Hungary's simplified naturalization requires basic Hungarian; Portugal's naturalization (not descent) path requires A2 Portuguese; Spain's general naturalization requires A2 Spanish. Ancestra flags any language requirement in your eligibility memo.
What documents do I need for citizenship by descent?
Typical documents include: (1) certified long-form birth certificates for each person in the line (you, your parent, your grandparent, etc.); (2) marriage certificates for each generation (and divorce or death certificates where applicable); (3) the anchor ancestor's birth certificate from the country of origin; (4) the anchor ancestor's naturalization records in the destination country — or a 'no record' letter proving they never naturalized; (5) apostilles on all foreign documents; (6) certified sworn translations by a translator recognized by the receiving authority. Our network of genealogists retrieve most of these documents on your behalf.
What is an apostille and when do I need one?
An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. For citizenship by descent, you typically need apostilles on: the anchor ancestor's birth certificate, marriage certificates, and any other civil registry documents issued by a foreign country. The apostille is issued by the competent authority of the country that issued the document — for example, the U.S. Department of State for federal documents, or state-level Secretaries of State for state-issued documents. Ancestra handles apostille procurement globally.
How long does citizenship by descent take?
Timelines vary by country and filing venue. Italy: 12–36 months consular, 6–18 months judicial (1948 cases). Ireland Foreign Births Register: 9–18 months. Poland: 12–24 months. Germany Article 116: 12–30 months. Portugal: 18–36 months. Spain Memory Law: 12–24 months. Mexico: 6–14 months. Brazil: 6–12 months. Argentina: 9–18 months. Canada Bill C-71: 8–16 months. Ancestra quotes a specific timeline forecast in your eligibility memo based on the country and filing venue applicable to your case.
Do I need to travel to the country of my ancestor?
Usually not. Most consular filings are handled at the relevant embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Some programs (Brazilian, certain Italian judicial paths, certain Spanish paths) are faster if filed in-country, in which case Ancestra coordinates with local counsel and you may attend one oath ceremony. Where in-person appearance is required, our editorial team attends with you; where it is not, we file on your behalf under power of attorney.
Can I have dual citizenship?
In most cases, yes. The United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain (under Memory Law), France, Sweden, and most other countries permit dual or multiple citizenship. Notable exceptions: Austria (with limited exceptions for Article 116 restitution), Germany (with exceptions for Article 116 and EU citizens), Japan, China, Singapore, India (which offers OCI instead of full dual citizenship), and Saudi Arabia. Ancestra flags any dual-citizenship restriction in your eligibility memo.
How much does citizenship by descent cost?
Costs vary widely by country and case complexity. Document retrieval (vital records, apostilles, translations) typically runs $2,000–$8,000 depending on the number of countries and documents. Legal services (eligibility memo, dossier compilation, filing) typically run $5,000–$25,000 depending on the country and whether judicial filing is required. Filing fees (consular or court) range from $200 to $3,000. Ancestra works on fixed fees quoted in advance in a written engagement letter — no hourly billing, no add-on charges for translations, apostilles, or routine RFE responses.
What happens if my application is denied?
Most citizenship-by-descent denials are not final — they are requests for evidence (RFEs) or appealable decisions. Ancestra drafts every RFE response under counsel and, where necessary, pursues administrative appeal or judicial review in the relevant country's courts. Our 98% approval rate reflects cases that complete the process — we do not take on cases we assess as unviable, and we tell you in writing at the start.
Can my whole family apply together?
In most programs, yes — and it is almost always more cost-effective to file as a family. Once the anchor ancestor's line is established, every descendant in that line is typically eligible. Minor children can usually be included on a parent's application. Adult siblings, cousins, and second-generation descendants may each need their own filing, but they benefit from the genealogical work already done — Ancestra discounts those cases substantially.
These answers are general in nature and do not constitute legal advice for any specific case. Eligibility for citizenship by descent depends on the specific facts of your lineage, the law of the country in question, and the filing venue. For a written assessment of your case, run our free 4-minute eligibility check or book a private consultation.
Common questions
If your question isn't here, the answer is almost certainly country-specific — book a consultation and we'll answer it for your case.
Still have questions? The first 90 minutes are confidential and free of charge.
Begin the conversation
The first 90 minutes are confidential, candid, and free of charge. We listen to what you know about your family, tell you what we believe is achievable, and quote a fixed fee in writing — all before you commit to anything.
counsel@ancestra.legal
Phone
+1 (212) 555-0148
Offices
New York · Lisbon · Mexico City
Hours
Mon–Fri · 09:00–18:00 (in your timezone)
Confidential from first contact
Every consultation is confidential. Nothing you share can be disclosed without your consent. Legal services are provided by independently licensed professionals in our network.
One-on-one with a specialist. Confidential. Recommended for first engagements.
We reply to every request within 24 hours, in your timezone. No retainer required.
For professionals
Ancestra partners with RCBI firms, genealogists, immigration attorneys, document searchers, and translators who help our clients research, qualify for, and file citizenship by descent cases. If you offer any of these services, you can receive client referrals, access our case-management tools, and list in our professional directory.
Every lead completes our 4-minute eligibility checker before routing. You receive leads with a country, relationship, key dates, and an internal eligibility score — not tire-kickers.
Run your entire CBD practice from one workspace: intake, milestones, documents, alerts, co-counsel collaboration, and pipeline analytics. Stop juggling email, Drive, and Notion.
Need a genealogist in Palermo? A translator in Warsaw? A co-counsel in Mexico City? The Ancestra network routes referrals between professionals — and you keep your client.
How lead routing works
Our routing engine runs on a weighted score across five factors. Higher-weight factors gate eligibility; lower-weight factors break ties. Professionals can tune their preferences in the dashboard.
Lead's selected ancestor country must match the professional's declared specializations. A professional specializing in Italy jure sanguinis will not receive Mexico leads.
Each lead gets an internal score (0–100) based on the user's answers in the eligibility checker. Higher-score leads go to higher-tier professionals first; lower-score leads go to intake teams for nurturing.
Where in-person filing is required (Italian 1948 cases, certain Latin American venues), leads are preferentially routed to professionals in the same metro area as the relevant consulate.
Each professional declares a monthly lead cap. We respect it. If a Partner's cap is reached, the next lead is routed to the next-best match.
Professionals with high close rates and client satisfaction scores get prioritized routing. Bad actors (spam, ghosting, missed SLAs) get throttled or removed.
The CRM
Custom-branded intake, auto-populated from the eligibility checker.
5-step standard workflow, customizable per country program.
RFEs, deadlines, status changes — pushed to email, Slack, or your API.
Counsel, paralegals, genealogists, translators — all in one workspace.
Encrypted storage with chain-of-custody logging and version control.
Lead-to-close rate, average case duration, revenue by program.
Professional pricing
All plans include lead routing, CRM access, and directory listing. Upgrade as your CBD practice grows.
For solo practitioners testing the channel.
For established CBD firms and genealogists.
For multi-jurisdiction firms & white-label resellers.
All plans are month-to-month. Per-lead fees (beyond plan cap): $50/lead for Associate, $35/lead for Partner, $0 for Enterprise. Volume discounts available.
Add CBD to your CBI/RBI offering without building the genealogy capability in-house.
Get qualified leads in your archive specialty — Italian, Polish, Jewish, Galician, Caribbean.
Receive consular-ready dossiers with the legal opinion already drafted; you file and bill.
Get referred into active cases by the case lead — no marketing required.
Professional network · Apply
Tell us about your practice — jurisdictions, capacity, and specialties. We review every application within 5 business days.
We review every application within 5 business days.