Recent reports show a record number of Americans are seeking dual citizenship—typically based on ancestry—particularly with countries in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) (including Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland), and Switzerland. Citizenship in any of these countries offers the right to live, work, and study across much of Europe.

​

While we do not provide representation abroad, we can assist domestically by obtaining necessary records from state and federal agencies. Many EU countries require U.S.-based documents—such as birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, death, and naturalization records—for citizenship applications. These documents often require an apostille, a form of document legalization recognized under the Hague Convention.

​

In the states where we are licensed, we can also help resolve discrepancies in your document set. Many Americans of European descent may qualify for dual citizenship under the laws of the target country. However, due to inconsistent historical recordkeeping, some older documents contain errors. Birth certificates may include misspellings, and marriage records can be incomplete. Each state has its own process for correcting such issues. For example, in some states a court order is required to amend records with the applicable vital records department. In Pennsylvania, we’ve even worked with Orphans’ Court staff to complete marriage records by obtaining church officiant records that were never returned to the clerk.

​

We can assist with obtaining, correcting, or amending records in select jurisdictions. In cases where legal amendment isn't possible, we may be able to help you petition a court for a declaratory judgment to confirm your family line. These court orders are sometimes accepted by U.S.-based foreign consulates when official corrections cannot be made for legal reasons.

 

Before we begin, we ask clients to confirm with a consular officer or foreign attorney which documents are required for their application. If you already have a foreign attorney, we’re happy to coordinate with them regarding your U.S.-based records. If you're preparing a dual citizenship application—whether for work, study, or residency—feel free to contact us.