Do I qualify?
Pick the country your family came from and the relative you’re claiming through. A few yes-or-no questions later, you’ll see the likely route, or whether it doesn’t look possible.
Rules last checked . Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or saved. New to all this? Start here.
Your result will appear here
Answer a few questions
You’ll see whether the route looks likely, might be possible, or doesn’t look possible, and what to do next.
This is a guide to what’s likely, not a decision. Only the country’s own authorities can confirm your citizenship. If you have relatives from more than one country, or more than one family line, run the checker again for each.
How it works
- The questions follow each country’s rules as set out in our country guides, which link to the official sources.
- “Not sure” is a fine answer. You’ll be told what to find out.
- Your answers stay in your browser and disappear when you close the page.
What it checks
The checker asks only the questions that decide whether citizenship can pass down to you: where and when your relative was born, whether they were a citizen when their child in your line was born, whether anyone gave up or lost citizenship, and the cut-off dates each country sets. Each answer leads to one of four results: looks likely, might be possible, find out first, or doesn’t look possible.
Where the answers come from
Every question and result is written from the country’s own rules, as set out in our country guides, which link to the official government, consulate and court sources. Each country is fact-checked against those sources, and every route through the checker is tested so it always ends in a clear answer. How this guide is researched.
What it can’t do
It gives general information, not a decision on your own case. It can’t see your documents, and it can’t cover every unusual situation, such as adoption, a parent who later lost their citizenship, or a family line through more than one country. Only the country’s own authorities can confirm citizenship. Rules change, so check the date at the top of each country guide.
Not listed?
The checker covers all 34 countries on the list of countries. If yours isn’t there, email hello@mydescentpassport.com to suggest it.
A plain-English guide, not a legal opinion. Nationality laws can be amended at short notice, so confirm the details with the consulate or the official body before you send an application or pay anything. The full disclaimer.
Cousins and siblings may qualify as well
One ancestor can open the same door for a whole branch of the family, and you can split the cost of the certificates. Send them this page while it’s fresh in your mind.