The following are the proofs of Hungarian citizenship:

  • A valid Hungarian ID card.
  • A valid Hungarian passport.
    If your Hungarian passport has expired, you may still use it as proof of Hungarian citizenship for one year following the date of its expiry.
  • A valid Hungarian citizenship certificate.
  • A certificate of naturalization, until proven otherwise.
  • The registry of personal data and addresses.

Please note that Hungarian birth and marriage certificates are not proof of Hungarian citizenship.

VERIFICATION OF CITIZENSHIP

 

If you do not have at least one of the above-mentioned documents, you need to submit a verification of Hungarian citizenship application.  Please note that you do not have to have to apply for the verification of the citizenship of your child under the age of 6, simply initiate the registration of the birth at the consulate.

As a general rule, Hungarian citizenship is based on the principle of descent (jus sanguinis – ’right of blood’ in Latin). That is, if one of your parents or grandparents is a Hungarian citizen, or was at your birth, you probably are as well. This can be justified by the procedure of ’verification of citizenship’. By confirming/verifying your citizenship, you can be a Hungarian citizen even if you do not speak Hungarian.

Please contact us via konz.edi@mfa.gov.hu to determine if this is the right procedure for you.

How to apply

The application can only be submitted in person with prior appointment. To book an appointment, please contact us on the following e-mail address with your request and a short explanation of your case: konz.edi@mfa.gov.hu.

Documents to be submitted       

  • The original birth certificate.  
    We only accept a full birth certificate, showing data for parents as well!
  • If applicable: original marriage certificate.
  • If applicable: original divorce decree absolute of the applicant.
    If the marriage was dissolved within the EU (including the UK) between 1 May 2004 and 31 December 2020, please also submit the certificate issued by the court in accordance with Brussels II regulation (Certificate referred to in Article 39 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning judgments in matrimonial matters). 
  • Marriage certificate of the applicant's parents (it is necessary to trace the entire chain back to the last ancestor born in Hungary).
  • Hungarian birth and marriage certificate of the applicant's ancestors of Hungarian origin.
  • If there has been a name change in the family, a record of it (with Hungarian translation) must be presented.
  • If you or your ancestors left Hungary before 1945, it is advisable to attach other documents proving the Hungarian citizenship (for example: old Hungarian passport, identity card, residence certificate or contemporary citizenship document, document issued by a contemporary Hungarian authority, school certificate, workbook, military book, address form, name change document, etc.),
  • Valid photo ID of the applicant and – if applicable – his/her spouse (valid passport, ID card).
  • If you have minor children (under 18 years of age): their birth certificate and valid ID documents (if they have any).

Please note that some certificates require Apostille certification or diplomatic legalisation! If the certificates were not issued in the UK or Hungary, please let us know via konz.edi@mfa.gov.hu.

Translation of the documents

Please note that as a general rule, foreign birth, marriage, death certificates and court orders are to be submitted with Hungarian translation.

The translation could be prepared

  • by the Hungarian Office for Translation and Attestation Ltd (OFFI) – in this case, it does not need to be further legalized;
  • by a UK-based Hungarian translator or even the applicants themselves. In this case, there is an extra consular authentication fee in addition.

Consular fee

Consular fees are listed here. Please note that we are a cashless office, card payment only!

Duration of procedure

The Government Office of the Capital City Budapest (Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala) is responsible for the verification of citizenship and the vital statistics registration.

The nationality procedure takes an average of 8-12 months. The consulate is unable to speed up the proceedings.

If you have any questions, please contact the consular office via konz.edi@mfa.gov.hu.