Who can apply for verification

• Individuals asserting Hungarian citizenship by descent or prior Hungarian citizenship.
• Children under 6: if you already have proof of your Hungarian citizenship, do not apply for verification for the child—initiate Hungarian birth registration instead.
• Minors aged 14+ must sign the application together with a parent; both must be present. For younger children, parents act on their behalf; the child’s presence is not required.

Where to apply (in person only)

File at the Hungarian representation with jurisdiction over your residence, or during announced extramural consular days.

Fees & payment

• Verification of citizenship: free of charge.
• Related civil status registrations (e.g., birth, marriage, divorce) submitted together may have fees. Embassies typically accept debit/credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover) for consular fees.
• When verification is approved, your data is entered into the Hungarian registry of personal data and addresses; many applicants do not need a separate citizenship certificate to obtain a passport.

Forms & how to fill

Required documents (by scenario)

Submit full (“long-form”) vital certificates. If a Hungarian birth or marriage certificate is missing, authorities can retrieve it from Hungarian archives.

Helpful supporting documents (especially if family left Hungary before 1945)

• Old Hungarian passports or ID booklets.
• Certificates of domicile (illetőségi bizonyítvány) or prior citizenship certificates.
• Historic Hungarian official documents: school records, labor booklets (munkakönyv), military booklets (katonakönyv), address registration sheets (lakcímbejelentő lap), legal name change documents (névváltoztatási okirat).
• Long-form U.S. (or foreign) certificates with Apostille/legalization and Hungarian translation if requested by the Embassy.

Why marital status matters

By law, all vital events of a Hungarian citizen (birth, marriage, divorce, death) are registered in Hungary. If a relevant event is not registered, your citizenship cannot be verified and you cannot obtain a Hungarian passport. Follow the scenario that matches your status:

a) Single (never married)

• If born in Hungary or already registered, attach your Hungarian birth certificate.
• If not registered, complete a birth registration form (Embassy helper available). Choose delivery to representation and specify Washington, DC.
• Attach:
  • Your birth certificate (long-form).
  • Your parents’ marriage certificate (long-form).
  • If born out of wedlock, add the acknowledgement of paternity.
  • Copy of non-Hungarian parent’s citizenship proof (passport or certificate).

b) Married

• If married in Hungary or already registered, attach your Hungarian marriage certificate.
• If married abroad and not yet registered, complete a marriage registration form (Embassy helper available). Choose delivery to representation and specify Washington, DC.
• Attach:
  • Your marriage certificate (long-form). If it only lists parties’ names, include the application to marry.
  • Copy of non-Hungarian spouse’s citizenship proof (passport or certificate), if requested.
  • If prior status was divorced or widowed, submit the relevant marriage/death certificate or court decree (with Hungarian translation; foreign decrees may need Apostille/legalization).

c) Divorced

• Ensure your birth and prior marriage are registered first (see a/b).
• If divorce was decided by a Hungarian court or your certificate bears a remark that a foreign court dissolved the marriage, attach your marriage certificate with the remark.
• If not, complete a divorce registration form and attach the final court decree showing the effective date, plus a Hungarian translation. For non-U.S. decrees, email the Embassy to confirm Apostille/legalization/translation requirements.

d) Widow/Widower

• Ensure your birth and marriage are registered first (see a/b).
• If your spouse was a Hungarian citizen, submit the Hungarian death certificate. If you do not have one, request a death registration in Hungary.

Appointments

To book, email: appointment.was@mfa.gov.hu with a concise description of your case.

Reserve one slot per application. Example: verifying citizenship + passport + marriage registration submitted together requires 3 slots.

Processing timeline & competent authority

• Responsible authority: Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala (Budapest Metropolitan Government Office).
• Typical duration: 8–12 months. The Embassy cannot expedite.

Quick FAQ

Is there a Hungarian language requirement for verification by descent?

No. Verification is document-driven and handled in person at the consulate.

Can I mail my application?

No. Mailed-in citizenship verification applications are returned without processing.

Do I need a separate citizenship certificate afterward?

Often not. Once verified, your data enters the national registry accessible by authorities (e.g., for passport issuance).

What version of certificates should I provide?

Always provide full (“long-form”) certificates. Foreign decrees may need Apostille/legalization and a Hungarian translation.

Disclaimer

This page summarizes Embassy guidance for verification of Hungarian citizenship by descent and related civil registrations. Procedures, forms, and fees can change. Always confirm the latest instructions directly with the Embassy of Hungary responsible for your jurisdiction.

Embassy of Hungary — Washington, DC • For official instructions and forms, consult the Embassy/Consular website and correspond directly via appointment.was@mfa.gov.hu.