Czech Roots, American Chapter
The client’s father was born in Czechoslovakia near the end of World War II. Later in life, he emigrated to the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen and started a family. In the early 2000s, he returned to Prague to finish his career and lived there until his death around 15 years ago.
His daughter wished to reclaim her Czech heritage and pass it on to her son by applying for citizenship by descent. Given her father’s Czechoslovak birth and emigration history, the case appeared relatively straightforward.
One Missing Piece: The Birth Certificate
The process stalled when her father’s birth certificate couldn’t be found in the town the family believed he was born in. Despite documentation of his emigration and return, no birth record was located in the expected registry.
Some information hinted that he might have been born in Prague, though this contradicted the family’s memories. But Prague, with its many district offices and parish archives, can be challenging to navigate without precise details.
A Lead From the End of Life
We knew in which hospital the father had passed away and submitted a request to the relevant authority for his death certificate. This turned out to be the breakthrough we needed. The death certificate listed his true place of birth – a specific part of Prague, not the originally assumed town.
With this confirmed, we were able to locate the correct birth record in Prague’s archives.
Citizenship Confirmed for Two Generations
Once the birth certificate was secured, the remaining steps proceeded smoothly. Applications were completed, submitted, and ultimately approved. Both mother and son were recognized as Czech citizens by descent.
Look what was her reaction to the great news:
This is such exciting news !!!!!! Thank you all so much for helping us get everything we needed to get approved !!!
This case shows how even simple applications can be delayed by gaps in historical records. But with careful research and the right approach, Czech ancestry can be honored and preserved.
Curious about your own Czechoslovak roots? We’re here to help you explore your family history and navigate your path to Czech citizenship.
