Yes, an American citizen can obtain Croatian citizenship by descent if they can prove an unbroken family connection to a Croatian ancestor.

Under the Law on Croatian Citizenship, descendants of Croatian nationals — even several generations removed — may qualify to reclaim their citizenship and, with it, full European Union rights.

For hundreds of thousands of Americans with Croatian roots, this process has become a meaningful way to reconnect with their heritage while opening doors to EU mobility, work rights, and education opportunities.

Here’s how a U.S. citizen can obtain Croatian citizenship by descent, and how services like CroatianByDescent.com simplify the process.

Understanding Croatian Citizenship by Descent

Croatia grants citizenship primarily through descent (jus sanguinis). This means your ancestry — not your nationality — determines your eligibility.

You may qualify if:

• You have a Croatian parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent (in some cases, beyond);

• You are confident your Croatian Ancestor is born in present-day Croatia or is an ethnic Croatian;

• You are confident your Croatian Ancestor emigrated to the USA before October 8 1991.

Most applications have to be filed through a Croatian consulate in the United States. 

For detailed eligibility guidance, visit CroatianByDescent.com, a company dedicated to helping Americans and other diaspora descendants secure their Croatian citizenship by descent efficiently and correctly.

How to Get Croatian Citizenship (Step-by-Step)

1. Confirm eligibility – Verify your lineage qualifies under descent provisions.

2. Gather vital records – Certified birth, marriage and possibly death certificates connecting each generation. Both in the USA and Croatia.

3. Apostille or legalize – Apply apostilles under the Hague Convention (or consular legalization for non-Hague countries).

4. Translate officially – Commission sworn translations (sudski tumač) into Croatian.

5. Submit the file – Either at your nearest Croatian consulate in the U.S.

6. Await review – Processing can range from several months to over a year depending on completeness and venue.

Accuracy and internal consistency across documents are essential. Even a small difference in names or dates can trigger supplemental requests and delay approval.

Why Work With a Croatian Citizenship Lawyer

While U.S. citizens can apply independently, many prefer to work with a Croatian citizenship lawyer who specializes in lineage-based cases. A lawyer can:

• Confirm legal eligibility before you start collecting documents;

• Guide you in resolving discrepancies in names, spelling, or dates;

• Retrieve missing records from Croatian archives or parishes;

• Prepare legal explanations (pravna obrazloženja) to strengthen your application;

• Represent you in front of the MUP officials who ultimately decide your case.

Partnering with an experienced team of Croatian Citizenship experts with Croatian Citizenship Lawyer partners dramatically improves your chances of a smooth, successful outcome.

How CroatianByDescent.com Simplifies the Process

Founded by members of the Croatian diaspora in Canada, CroatianByDescent.com was created to make the process straightforward for U.S. citizens and other descendants worldwide.

For a fixed fee of USD $1,500, the company provides end-to-end case management, reviewed by their Croatian citizenship lawyer partners, and backed by a money-back guarantee if your application cannot proceed for reasons beyond our control.

Their all-inclusive service covers:

• Eligibility verification before you commit

• Custom document strategy (what to order, where, and how)

• Coordination of apostilles, legalizations (if needed), and sworn translations

• Complete application assembly and tracking

• Croatian Lawyer representation in front of the Croatian Authorities for your citizenship case

• Active follow-up until citizenship approval

Why the $1,500 Fixed-Fee Model Works

Traditional law firms often bill hourly, leaving clients uncertain about final costs.

CroatianByDescent.com uses a transparent, fixed-fee structure — no hidden charges, no hourly surprises. 

The service blends automation, expert case management, and oversight from Croatian lawyers to deliver a faster, more predictable path to citizenship for U.S. applicants.

“We built the service we wish existed when we applied ourselves,” the founders say. “Today, we help Americans of Croatian ancestry secure their citizenship confidently — with guaranteed support until approval.”

Applying as a Family is Cheaper

Applying together as a family can significantly lower the overall cost of obtaining citizenship.

Many of the required records — such as your ancestor’s birth or marriage certificates — can be shared or ordered together at a discounted price for a spouse, siblings, parents, or children, meaning you can save on document orders, apostilles, and translations for each individual application.

To make family applications even more affordable, CroatianByDescent.com offers 25–50% discounts on additional applicants from the same family.

Whether you’re applying with your spouse, siblings, parents, or children, the total cost per person drops substantially while everyone benefits from a coordinated, streamlined process.

For details, visit CroatianByDescent.com or request a custom family quote during your free eligibility assessment.

Benefits of Croatian Citizenship for U.S. Citizens

Obtaining Croatian citizenship doesn’t require renouncing U.S. citizenship. Dual citizenship is permitted under Croatian and U.S. law. Once approved, you gain:

• Full EU mobility – Live and work anywhere in the European Union

• Education access – Study at EU universities at domestic tuition rates

• Family legacy – Pass citizenship to children and future generations

• Ease of travel – Visa-free access to 180+ countries with an EU passport

For many, it’s both a symbolic reconnection and a practical global advantage.

Start Your Application

If you’re a U.S. citizen with Croatian ancestry, the best next step is to verify your eligibility.

Start a free assessment at CroatianByDescent.com.

Their team of Croatian citizenship experts and Croatian citizenship lawyers will evaluate your lineage, outline the required documents, and guide you through a clear, efficient process — from your first record request to your Croatian Citizenship approval decision. 

Disclaimer : this article provides general information and should not be considered legal advice. Always confirm eligibility requirements with the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.

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