Slovak citizenship for a child born abroad

If a child is born abroad, they automatically acquire citizenship from their parents. It is sufficient if only one of the parents is a citizen of the Slovak Republic. In order for the Slovak Republic to formally recognize the child as a Slovak citizen, the parents must obtain a Slovak birth certificate for the child.

A personal identification number (rodné číslo) for a child born outside the territory of the Slovak Republic is assigned by the Special Registry Office (Osobitná matrika) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, located in Bratislava.

According to § 23, section 2 of Act No. 154/1994 Coll. on Registries, as amended, an application for entry into the registry is not submitted directly to the Special Registry Office, but through one of the following:

• The diplomatic or consular office of the Slovak Republic in the relevant country

• The registry office in which the citizen has permanent residence

• The registry office in which the citizen last had permanent residence

• Any registry office in Slovakia, if the citizen never had permanent residence in the Slovak Republic

When submitting the application, the following documents are required:

• The child’s foreign birth certificate, which must be translated into Slovak by a certified court translator. Some Slovak embassies may also require an apostille — a form of authentication of the signature and stamp of a public document for use abroad

• The marriage certificate (if the parents are married)

• The identity card or passport of the parents

• The birth certificates of the parents

The Special Registry Office has a statutory period of three months to issue the Slovak birth certificate. If this period is extended, the registry is required to inform you. However, diplomatic or consular offices are not bound by any statutory deadline, which may delay the processing of your request.

We also draw your attention to the possibility of submitting the application electronically for the issuance of a birth certificate via the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

A similar question has also been addressed in this post.

According to the Slovak Citizenship Act, “A child acquires Slovak citizenship by birth if at least one of the parents is a citizen of the Slovak Republic…”

We also recommend checking with the relevant authorities in the country where the child is born to see whether it is possible to acquire that country’s citizenship without having to renounce Slovak citizenship.

The law allows a child to acquire Slovak citizenship even if they were not born on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Pursuant to Section 5(1)(a) of Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on Citizenship of the Slovak Republic:
“A child acquires Slovak citizenship by birth if at least one of the parents is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.”

It can be stated that Slovak citizenship is automatically “inherited” from the parent. However, considering that the child was born abroad, in order to acquire Slovak citizenship validly, the child must obtain a Slovak birth certificate.

The application for a birth certificate is submitted by the parent to the Special Registry Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, located in Bratislava. It should be noted that the application is not submitted directly to the Special Registry Office, but through:

• the diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic in the respective country,

• the registry office in which the citizen has permanent residence,

• the registry office in which the citizen last had permanent residence, or

• any registry office, if the citizen has never had permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• the child’s birth certificate issued abroad, which must be translated into Slovak by a certified court translator. Some diplomatic missions also require an apostille – verification of the signature and seal on the public document for use abroad,

• marriage certificate (if the parents are married),

• identity card or passport of the parents,

• parents’ birth certificates.

The Special Registry Office has a statutory period of three months to issue the birth certificate. If this period is extended, the registry office is obliged to inform you. However, diplomatic missions are not subject to any statutory deadline, which may delay the processing of your application.

A specific situation arises in the case of citizenship for a child born in Hungary or the Russian Federation.

According to Slovak law, your daughter most likely acquired Slovak citizenship by birth if you were a Slovak citizen at the time of her birth. To confirm this, it is necessary to apply for a Certificate of Slovak Citizenship, which will confirm that she has been a Slovak citizen since birth.

Procedure for obtaining a Slovak passport:

1. Application for a Certificate of Slovak Citizenship:

The application is submitted at Slovak embassies or directly at the competent District Offices in the Slovak Republic. Required documents include your daughter’s birth certificate, proof of your Slovak citizenship (at the time of her birth), marriage certificate, and other relevant documents. The authorities may request additional documentation depending on the specifics of the case.

2. Registration in the Special Registry:

Once your daughter’s Slovak citizenship is confirmed, her birth must be registered in the Special Registry in the Slovak Republic. Based on this registration, a Slovak birth certificate will be issued.

3. Application for a Slovak passport:

With the Certificate of Slovak Citizenship and the Slovak birth certificate, it is possible to apply for a Slovak passport. This application may be submitted at Slovak embassies or directly in Slovakia.

We would be pleased to assist you throughout the entire process, including preparation and review of documents, communication with the relevant authorities, and guidance during the application procedures. Should you be interested in our services or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The law allows a child to acquire Slovak citizenship even if they were not born on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Pursuant to Section 5(1)(a) of Act No. 40/1993 Coll. on Citizenship of the Slovak Republic:
“A child acquires Slovak citizenship by birth if at least one of the parents is a citizen of the Slovak Republic.”

For the Slovak Republic to officially recognize the child as a Slovak citizen, it is necessary for the parents to obtain a Slovak birth certificate for the child. A personal identification number (rodné číslo) for a child born outside the territory of the Slovak Republic is assigned by the Special Registry Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, located in Bratislava.

According to Section 23(2) of Act No. 154/1994 Coll. on Registry Offices, as amended, the application for registration is not submitted directly to the Special Registry Office, but through:

• the diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic in the respective country,

• the registry office in which the citizen has permanent residence,

• the registry office in which the citizen last had permanent residence, or

• any registry office, if the citizen has never had permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• the child’s foreign birth certificate, which must be translated into Slovak by a certified court translator. Some diplomatic missions also require an apostille – a verification of the signature and seal on the public document for use abroad,

• marriage certificate (if the parents are married),

• identity card or passport of the parents,

• birth certificates of the parents.

The Special Registry Office has a statutory period of three months to issue the birth certificate. If this period is extended, the registry office is obliged to inform you. However, diplomatic missions are not bound by any statutory deadline, which may cause delays in the processing of your application.

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at the email address recepcia@akmv.sk or by phone at +421 915 046 749.

Thank you for your inquiry.

If a child is born abroad, they acquire citizenship from their parents. It is sufficient if only one parent is a Slovak citizen.

To have the child recognized as a citizen of the Slovak Republic, it is necessary to obtain a Slovak birth certificate.

Pursuant to the Act on Registry Offices, the application for birth registration may be submitted to:

• the diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic abroad,

• the registry office in whose territorial jurisdiction the citizen has permanent residence,

• the registry office in whose territorial jurisdiction the citizen last had permanent residence, or

• any registry office, if the citizen has never had permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• the child’s foreign birth certificate, which must be translated into Slovak by a certified court translator. Some diplomatic missions also require an apostille – a verification of the signature and seal on the public document for use abroad,

• marriage certificate (if the parents are married),

• identity card or passport of the parents,

• birth certificates of the parents.

The Special Registry Office has a statutory period of three months to issue the birth certificate.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at recepcia@akmv.sk or by phone at +421 915 046 749.