AKMV 
The arrival of a new family member into the world is a joyful occasion for parents residing abroad, yet it is accompanied by essential administrative procedures. If your child was born in France and at least one parent is a citizen of the Slovak Republic, the child automatically acquires Slovak citizenship by operation of law (under the principle of jus sanguinis).
We will assist you in obtaining a Slovak birth certificate and citizenship!
Please contact us at recepcia@akmv.sk
To obtain a Slovak passport for your child, it will first be necessary to secure their Slovak birth certificate. Only upon presentation of the Slovak birth certificate can a passport for the child be issued by the Documents Department or a diplomatic mission abroad.
In order for the child to fully exercise their rights as a Slovak citizen, hold a passport, and be registered in Slovak official registers, you must apply for the registration of the birth in the civil registry, which will subsequently issue the Slovak birth certificate. Our law firm will assist you with navigating this entire process.
Let us examine step-by-step how to proceed and which French documents you will require.
Documents Required for a Slovak Birth Certificate
In addition to the standard application form, you will also require the following documents:
- French birth certificate (Acte de naissance – copie intégrale)
- Child’s identity document (passport)
- Parents’ identity documents (national identity card, passports) – copies
- Parents’ birth certificates – copies with translations (the child’s mother must provide all available information regarding the child’s father; if any data is unknown to her, she must submit an affidavit with an authenticated signature confirming this fact – our firm will draft this upon request)
- Parents’ marriage certificate, if married (if divorced, the divorce decrees; or death certificates, if widowed)
- If the parents are not married, a document establishing acknowledgment of paternity (an official document issued in the child’s country of birth; in France, this refers to an acte de reconnaissance issued by the competent town hall / Mairie, unless the acknowledgment is explicitly recorded in the French birth certificate), or a translated joint declaration of paternity; if such a document is not issued, we recommend attaching an affidavit from the parents attesting to their single marital status (our firm will draft this upon request)
- Certificate of the child’s citizenship, required only if the parent does not hold a valid identity document (Slovak national identity card or passport) that was valid on the date of birth of the minor child.
When is an Application for a Certificate of Citizenship Not Required?
Effective from June 1, 2026, “Proof of citizenship of the Slovak Republic (note: Certificate of Citizenship) may, upon the registration of the birth of a minor with the Special Registry, be substituted by a valid proof of citizenship of the Slovak Republic of one of the parents, provided that such proof was valid at the time of birth of the minor whose registration of birth is being applied for.”
Apostille and Certified Translations
Apostille Exemption: Pursuant to European Union regulations and bilateral treaties between the Slovak Republic and the French Republic, French civil status documents (such as the Acte de naissance) are exempt from higher authentication – the Apostille.
Official Translation: Every French document must be officially translated into Slovak. The translation must be executed by a certified sworn translator registered in the Register of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic. We will be pleased to assist you with the official translation.
- Recognition of a Foreign Divorce Decree in Slovakia
- Recognition of a Foreign Judgment on Child Custody and Access Rights
- Recognition of a Judgment in Matters of Establishment of Paternity / Determination of Parentage
- Recognition of a Marriage with a Foreign National in Slovakia (Registration of Marriage with the Special Registry)
Time Limits
The entire procedure generally takes approximately three months. Upon successful registration, the official Slovak birth certificate will be delivered to you.
Final Advisory Note: Please be advised that a Slovak travel document (passport) cannot be issued for a child without a Slovak birth certificate. Should you plan to travel to the Slovak Republic prior to its issuance, please consult the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Paris regarding alternative travel document options.
