[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

LITHUANIA

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, dated December 5, 1991. Questions concerning persons born before June 15, 1940, should be sent to either the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York or in Chicago.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT TO CITIZENSHIP: Persons who possessed Lithuanian citizenship prior to June 15, 1940, their children and grandchildren, must apply for citizenship to the Consulates in New York or Chicago.

BY BIRTH: Birth within Lithuania does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child of unknown or stateless parents.

BY DESCENT: Child, both of whose parents are citizens of Lithuania, regardless of child's country of birth. Child born abroad, one of whose parents is a citizen of Lithuania. Child born abroad, one of whose parents is a citizen of Lithuania with permanent residence in Lithuania.

BY NATURALIZATION: Lithuanian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has passed examinations in the Lithuanian language and in the basic provisions of the Constitution, has permanently resided in Lithuania for at least 10 years, has a permanent place of employment or a legal source of support, and is a stateless person or has renounced previous citizenship.

MARRIAGE: Foreigner who marries a citizen of Lithuania must fulfill all the basic naturalization requirements except that residency requirement is three years after marriage.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: Not generally recognized. Specificity not provided.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Lithuanian citizenship is permitted by law. Contact Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Lithuanian citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship. Person lives abroad over 3 years without government permission. Person enters the civilian or military service of a foreign state.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, should be directed to an address below: Consulate General of Lithuania 420 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018

Telephone: 212-354-7840/7849

Fax: 212-354-7911

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania Consular Section 2622 16th St., NW Washington, DC 20009

Telephone: 202-234-5860/2639

Fax: 202-328-0466

www.std.lt

Consulate General of Lithuania 211 East Ontario Street, Suite 1500 Chicago, IL 60611

Telephone: 312-397-0382

Fax: 312-397-0385

Copyright (C) 2002-2007 All rights reserved.