Many countries allow individuals to apply for dual citizenship based on ancestry—a legal principle known as jus sanguinis, or “right of blood.” If you have a parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent who was born in another country, you may be eligible for citizenship through that ancestral connection. Our team of professional genealogists specializes in building the lineage documentation needed to pursue dual citizenship under jus sanguinis rules. We aid you in your application for dual citizenship by identifying the birthplaces of qualifying ancestors, lineage building and document retrieval.
Jus sanguinis (Latin for “right of blood”) is a legal concept where a person can claim citizenship through their biological ancestry rather than through place of birth. Many countries—especially in Europe—offer citizenship to descendants of emigrants, often with no generational time limit. This is different from jus soli (“right of soil”), which grants citizenship based on birth within a country’s territory (e.g., the United States). Countries like Italy, Ireland, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Portugal have established processes for granting citizenship by descent. Each has its own requirements regarding documentation, generational cutoffs, and proof that ancestors did or did not naturalize in another country.
Dual citizenship offers personal, professional, and cultural benefits:
But applying for dual citizenship through ancestry often requires detailed genealogical evidence, sometimes spanning four or more generations. That’s where we come in.
We provide comprehensive genealogy services tailored for citizenship by descent:
We offer genealogical research for individuals pursuing citizenship by descent in a wide range of countries, including:
Home to millions of descendants of 19th- and 20th-century emigrants, Italy offers rich civil and church records across every region. We help trace Italian ancestors, construct family trees, and locate the vital records required to support heritage-based claims.
Irish genealogy often spans multiple generations of emigration, famine-era departures, and county-level documentation. We specialize in locating records from Irish civil registration, parish books, and diaspora communities worldwide.
Polish ancestry research may involve navigating records written in Polish, German, or Russian. Our team works across regional archives and international databases to uncover family histories from the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth through the 20th century.
We research German ancestors across fragmented state archives, church registers, and immigration sources. Whether your family came from Bavaria, Prussia, or Alsace-Lorraine, we trace their path from local parishes to port cities and beyond.
From Jewish shtetl roots to Catholic village communities, Lithuanian genealogy presents linguistic and geographic complexity. We assist with archival access and family reconstruction across border-shifting regions.
For those tracing Spanish heritage, especially in connection with regional migrations or historical diaspora programs, we research parish registers, civil records, and emigration data across Spain's provinces.
We also work with ancestry research for additional countries in Europe and South America. If your heritage leads elsewhere, we’re happy to evaluate your family history and research needs.
We conduct U.S. and global archival research, including:
When needed, we work with local in-country researchers to obtain non-digitized records directly from regional municipalities and parishes.
"Trace Your Past guided me through every step of my Italian citizenship application. They found my great-grandfather’s birth and marriage records in Sicily—and confirmed he never naturalized in the U.S. We now hold dual citizenship as a family!"
— Luca D., Chicago, IL
"My Irish citizenship journey stalled for years. The researchers found my grandfather’s baptismal certificate in County Clare and helped me finish the Foreign Births Register paperwork. Their expertise was unmatched."
— Shannon K., Seattle, WA
Citizenship by descent is more than a passport—it's a connection to your family’s history and homeland. Let us help you build the paper trail your ancestors left behind.
How do I know if I qualify for citizenship by descent?
Each country has different eligibility rules. We can help you determine whether your ancestral connection qualifies under jus sanguinis and whether the required documentation exists.
Do you handle legal filings or passport applications?
We focus on the genealogical side—document retrieval, family trees, and evidence collection. We can refer you to legal professionals for the application process.
What if some records were lost or destroyed?
We’re skilled at identifying alternative sources: substitute records, church documents, military papers, and regional archives.
Want to deepen your understanding of the historical and legal frameworks behind dual citizenship applications? Explore our professionally developed courses, designed to empower you with research tools and country-specific insight:
Learn how U.S. immigration and naturalization laws have evolved—and how to locate the records that prove whether your ancestor retained or relinquished their original citizenship. A must-watch for those pursuing Italian, Irish, or Polish citizenship where naturalization status affects eligibility.
This course breaks down the pathways to Irish citizenship through descent, from grandparents to great-grandparents. Understand the Foreign Births Register, vital record requirements, and how to navigate Irish repositories.
Expand your skills and your options—browse all courses to continue your journey.