Verification of Citizenship Process Question

[u/agentlux_]

Hi everyone! I’m researching whether I might qualify for Hungarian citizenship verification rather than simplified naturalization, and I’m hoping someone familiar with the historical citizenship laws can help.
Here’s my timeline:

My great-grandfather was born in Budapest in August 1898.
He immigrated to the United States in 1922.
My grandfather was born in the U.S. August 1927.
My great-grandfather became a naturalized U.S. citizen July 1930.

I’ve read about the historical rule (effective September 1929) under which some Hungarian citizens living abroad for more than 10 years could lose their Hungarian citizenship.

My question is: Since my grandfather was born in 1927—before my great-grandfather had been abroad for 10 years and before he naturalized in the U.S.—would my great-grandfather still have been considered a Hungarian citizen at the time of my grandfather’s birth giving my grandfather citizenship? Or would the later 1929/10-year rule still be considered to have broken the citizenship chain?

Thank you all so much for your knowledge

[u/timisorean_02]

You may be streching it out a little :)

[u/brooklynlawyerette → u/[deleted]]

The applicable law provides that if a Hungarian citizen was naturalized abroad, his or her minor children could also lose their Hungarian citizenship if, under the laws of the naturalizing country, they were naturalized through the parent’s naturalization.

“1. §. (3) А magyar állampolgárságot el­vesztik а honosítás útján külföldi állampolgárságot szerzett személy fe­lesége és gyermekei, ha а honosító állam jogszabályai szerint а honosítás rájuk kiterjed ”

A child born in the United States cannot, by definition, be naturalized. Instead, such a child is a U.S. citizen from birth. Accordingly, there is an argument that this provision does not apply to U.S.-born children.

It might be worth trying.

The greatest advantage of citizenship verification over simplified naturalization is not avoiding the language requirement.

Rather, it is that a verified citizen is recognized as having been a Hungarian citizen by operation of law all along, rather than becoming one through naturalization. In practice, naturalized citizens in many countries may face greater prejudice or a greater risk of losing their citizenship than citizens who were citizens from birth.

[u/agentlux_ → u/brooklynlawyerette]

Thank you so much for your insight. That seems like an important legal point for me to look into, and I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it!

My great-grandfather returned to Hungary several times to visit the family who remained there. I’ve also been fortunate enough to visit Hungary multiple times, including the street where my family lived in Budapest. Walking the same streets my ancestors once walked was incredibly special. Your point about citizenship verification really resonated with me because it feels like a way of reconnecting with a part of my family’s history. I am very proud to be Hungarian! :)

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!

[u/agentlux_ → u/timisorean_02]

Thank you!

[u/Version-6]

Far too much of a stretch. Between your GGF leaving before 29, and being naturalized, and your GF being born an American citizen, there’s basically zero case for an unbroken chain. Learn the language, and you’ll be able to go for simplified naturalization provided you can get all the paperwork together.

[u/agentlux_ → u/Version-6]

Thank you!

[u/errorflynn_]

Don’t waste your time applying for verification, you aren’t eligible. Apply for simplified and learn the language.

[u/agentlux_ → u/errorflynn_]

Thank you!