What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors, based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent.

Which countries offer citizenship by descent?

Over 90 countries offer CBD. The most accessible include Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

How long does citizenship by descent take?

Timelines vary by country. Italy: 12-36 months. Ireland: 9-18 months. Poland: 12-24 months. Germany: 12-30 months. Mexico: 6-14 months. Brazil: 6-12 months.

Can I have dual citizenship?

In most cases yes. The US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and most EU states permit dual citizenship. Notable exceptions: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, China, Singapore.

How much does citizenship by descent cost?

Costs vary by country. Typical all-in fixed fees: Italy $8,000-$25,000, Ireland $4,000-$9,000, Poland $5,000-$15,000, Germany $8,000-$25,000, Mexico $3,000-$8,000, Brazil $3,000-$7,000.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. Every consultation is confidential. Nothing you share can be disclosed without your consent. When you're matched with a professional in our network, that professional's own confidentiality and privilege policies apply to your engagement.

How long does the consultation take?

The first consultation is 90 minutes for video and in-office meetings, or 60 minutes for phone calls.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first 90 minutes are confidential, candid, and free of charge. No retainer required.

What should I prepare for the consultation?

Bring whatever you know about your ancestor: full name, date and place of birth, country of origin, emigration date, naturalization status, and any documents you already have.

How quickly will I hear back after requesting a consultation?

We reply to every consultation request within 24 hours, in your timezone.

What consultation formats are available?

We offer private video consultation (90 minutes), in-office meeting (90 minutes, available in New York, Lisbon, and Mexico City), and telephone call (60 minutes).

Do I need to commit to anything after the consultation?

No. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.

What languages are consultations available in?

Case leads are available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Polish.

Last reviewedJuly 4, 2026·Ancestra editorial team

PolishVery common

The Kowalski surname

Derived from 'kowal' meaning 'blacksmith' — an occupational surname for a metalworker or farrier.

Origin: Poland

Throughout Poland, especially Mazovia and Greater Poland

Origins & history

Kowalski is the second most common Polish surname. It originated as an occupational name in the medieval period and became hereditary by the 15th-16th centuries. Blacksmiths were essential to every Polish village.Large Kowalski populations in the United States (Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Wisconsin), Canada, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina — descendants of Polish emigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries, especially the Partitions era (1795-1918).

Spelling variants

KowalKowalczykKowalikKowalewski

Surname variants often arose from regional pronunciation differences, transliteration between alphabets, or Americanization at immigration. Check all variants when searching records.

Genealogy research tips

1Polish civil registration began in 1808 in the Napoleonic era (Duchy of Warsaw) — search the Polish State Archives (szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl) for civil records.

2If your Kowalski ancestor emigrated during the Partitions (1795-1918), they may have been recorded as Russian, Prussian, or Austrian subjects — check emigration records under all three empires.

3Polish parish records (księgi metrykalne) often predate civil registration — the Catholic Church kept baptism, marriage, and death records from the 1600s onward.

4Kowalski is so common that you'll need the exact village or parish. Polish emigration records often list the province (województwo) — start there.

Citizenship by descent

Poland uses a 'continuity of citizenship' principle. If your Kowalski ancestor was a Polish citizen (or a citizen of one of the Polish successor states after 1918) at the time of their child's birth, the citizenship passed. The 1951 and 1962 Citizenship Acts govern confirmation of Polish citizenship — and Poland permits dual citizenship.Read the Poland citizenship guide

Notable bearers

•Tadeusz Kowalski (various historical figures)
•Hedwig Kowalski (Saint Faustina)

Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Kowalski mean?

Derived from 'kowal' meaning 'blacksmith' — an occupational surname for a metalworker or farrier.

Where does the Kowalski surname come from?

Kowalski originates from Poland, specifically Throughout Poland, especially Mazovia and Greater Poland. Kowalski is the second most common Polish surname. It originated as an occupational name in the medieval period and became hereditary by the 15th-16th centuries. Blacksmiths were essential to every Polish village.

Can I get citizenship if my last name is Kowalski?

Related surnames

Rossi

Italian

Derived from 'rosso' meaning 'red' — originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

Read guide

Russo

Italian (Southern)

Southern Italian variant of Rossi — 'red-haired one.' Also a Sicilian form derived from the Greek 'Erythros' via Byzantine influence.

Read guide

Esposito

Italian (Neapolitan)

Literally 'exposed' — given to foundlings (esposti) abandoned at churches or orphanages. A 'surnames of the foundlings' (cognomi dei trovatelli).

Read guide

Murphy

Irish (Gaeilge)

Anglicized form of Ó Murchadha ('descendant of Murchadh'), where Murchadh means 'sea warrior' or 'sea battler.'

Read guide

Origins & history

Genealogy research tips

1Polish civil registration began in 1808 in the Napoleonic era (Duchy of Warsaw) — search the Polish State Archives (szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl) for civil records.

2If your Kowalski ancestor emigrated during the Partitions (1795-1918), they may have been recorded as Russian, Prussian, or Austrian subjects — check emigration records under all three empires.

3Polish parish records (księgi metrykalne) often predate civil registration — the Catholic Church kept baptism, marriage, and death records from the 1600s onward.

4Kowalski is so common that you'll need the exact village or parish. Polish emigration records often list the province (województwo) — start there.

Citizenship by descent

Read the Poland citizenship guide