A fairly common misconception is that there is a single passport issued from the European Union. A European Union passport is really just a passport issued by any one of its twenty-seven member countries. Each country's passport states on its cover that it is a European Union Passport. If you are a citizen of any European Union country, you are free to travel to any other member country without any passport or visa, but you must obtain a passport for travel outside the European Union. To obtain a passport from any of the EU countries, there are a few common requirements.
Things You'll Need
Things You'll Need
Passport application form
Two passport photos
Birth certificate and/or proof of citizenship
Fees
For EU Citizens
Obtain a passport application form. Most countries have application forms available online or you can contact that country's embassy.
Get two pictures of yourself that are 32mm by 36mm (1 1/4th inches by 1 ½ inches). The pictures must show a clear frontal view from the chin to the hairline.
Include a birth certificate with your application. Besides birth certificates, some countries will require proof of citizenship.
Mail the application along with all the required items. Make sure that you include payment for all applicable fees.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if it is required.
For US Citizens Desiring Dual Citizenship
Find out the qualifications for claiming citizenship in an EU country; generally these involve proving a paternal relationship. This information can be obtained from any EU member consulate.
Obtain personal information such as marriage, birth, death records, and documentation of citizenship for yourself, your father, and your paternal grandfather.
Get two signatures of certification for all documents. One is for validity and the other is to certify that the document is legal.
Birth certificate and/or proof of citizenship
Fees
For EU Citizens
Obtain a passport application form. Most countries have application forms available online or you can contact that country's embassy.
Get two pictures of yourself that are 32mm by 36mm (1 1/4th inches by 1 ½ inches). The pictures must show a clear frontal view from the chin to the hairline.
Include a birth certificate with your application. Besides birth certificates, some countries will require proof of citizenship.
Mail the application along with all the required items. Make sure that you include payment for all applicable fees.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if it is required.
For US Citizens Desiring Dual Citizenship
Find out the qualifications for claiming citizenship in an EU country; generally these involve proving a paternal relationship. This information can be obtained from any EU member consulate.
Obtain personal information such as marriage, birth, death records, and documentation of citizenship for yourself, your father, and your paternal grandfather.
Get two signatures of certification for all documents. One is for validity and the other is to certify that the document is legal.
Have the consulate of the country where you wish to gain citizenship have your documents recorded in the town where your paternal ancestors are from. This process could take several months.
Take all the paperwork to the consulate after the process is completed, along with passport photos to get a new passport from your ancestral home country.
Tips & Warnings
Dual citizenship is not a requirement for travel in the European Union; an American passport is adequate.
Don't make travel plans before you receive notification because dual citizenship is not granted in all cases.
Take all the paperwork to the consulate after the process is completed, along with passport photos to get a new passport from your ancestral home country.
Tips & Warnings
Dual citizenship is not a requirement for travel in the European Union; an American passport is adequate.
Don't make travel plans before you receive notification because dual citizenship is not granted in all cases.
Author,
By Peggy Epstein
