How to get domovnica – Croatian proof of citizenship: Guide for 2023

UPDATED: 19.5.2023.

Anyone with Croatian citizenship can request a copy of their proof of citizenship called domovnica. This document is often required during different application processes.

In this post, we cover:

The facts are these…

How to get Croatian proof of citizenship – domovnica

What is domovnica – Croatian proof of citizenship?

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What is a domovnica?

Domovnica is a Croatian government document that states when you were granted Croatian citizenship. It functions as proof of nationality.

Domovnica is only one of several documents that can serve as proof of Croatian citizenship.

Croatian citizenship can also be proven with:

If you do not have one of the above-mentioned documents, you can prove your Croatian citizenship with domovnica. Domovnica is also often required as a mandatory document during different application and registration processes.

For example, domovnica is required when:

Where can you get domovnica in Croatia?

Domovnica can be issued in a registrar’s office in Croatia called matični ured.

To get your domovnica, you must be entered into the book of citizens called knjiga državljana. The Book of citizens is a unique record of people who have acquired Croatian citizenship under the regulation of the Zakon o hrvatskom državljanstvu (Croatian citizenship act).

[Read: How to apply for Croatian citizenship (hrvatsko državljanstvo)]

To get the domovnica, you must visit any registrar’s office in Croatia. A list of registrar’s offices in Croatia organized by Croatian counties is available here.

If you have access to the e-Građani government online application, you can get domovnica through its service called e-Matične knjige (e-Registry books). It is available here.

[Read: e-Građani (e-Citizens) – Online portal for Croatian government services]

How to get your domovnica in Croatia

In the following sections, we will describe the process of getting domovnica depending on different scenarios.

#1 You have Croatian parents but were not born in Croatia

If you’re Croatian diaspora but were not born in Croatia, then you will not be automatically registered in matica rođenih, which is the master registry of Croatian births. A Croatian citizen born in a foreign country can be registered after the fact in matica rođenih. Only after registration can the citizen get a birth certificate.

[Read: How to register a new child in Croatia]

The request for Croatian citizenship can be submitted to any police department in Croatia or a Croatian consular office in a foreign country. For people with disabilities, the request can be submitted by their legal representative or authorized person with power of attorney.

To make the request for registration and the associated domovnica, you will need to provide:

  • Completed application form
  • Curriculum vitae (životopis)
  • Original birth certificate
  • Original marriage certificate, if applicable
  • Proof showing family relationship with your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents
  • Background check from your country of birth
  • Certified copy of a valid identity document

[Read: How to apply for Croatian citizenship (hrvatsko državljanstvo)]

After a decision is made on your application, you will be notified by mail whether or not it was approved. If your request is accepted, then you will receive Croatian citizenship.

After your application is approved, your domovnica can be picked up at:

  • Any registrar’s office in Croatia – view a list of offices here
  • Croatian consular office abroad – view a list of offices here
  • Via e-Građani online service called e-Matične knjige – available here

#2 You were born in Croatia and/or have citizenship through other means

If you were born in Croatia, you already have Croatian nationality. Or, perhaps you recently applied for and were granted citizenship.

In both of these cases, you can pick up your domovnica at:

  • Any registrar’s office in Croatia – view a list of offices here
  • Croatian consular office abroad – view a list of offices here
  • Via e-Građani online service called e-Matične knjige – available here

#3 You have a Croatian ancestor and need their domovnica, not your own domovnica

To get the domovnica of your parents, grandparents, etc., you must prove the lineage between you and your family member. As evidence, you can enclose either:

  • Your relative’s birth certificate OR
  • Authorization from your relative verified by a notary public confirming your lineage.

[Read: How to get something notarized]

Once you have one of the two pieces of evidence, you can get the domovnica at:

  • Any registrar’s office in Croatia – View a list of offices here
  • Croatian consular office abroad – View a list of offices here

If your relative is dead and you need their domovnica, it is impossible to get it. In this case, you can only get written confirmation from the registrar confirming that your relative was a Croatian citizen.

This confirmation can also be obtained at the registrar’s office in Croatia or in the Croatian Consular office abroad. You can get it personally or via a person authorized by the notary public.

Need help with your Croatian citizenship application?

Interested in applying for Croatian citizenship but not sure where to start? We can point you in the right direction.

Our expat-vetted lawyer network can take care of your application from beginning to end. We have excellent English-speaking lawyers across the country that specialize in citizenship and are in constant communication with the ministry. These are the same lawyers who help us vet all of our information on this site. Learn how we built this network here.

You do not have to live in Croatia to take advantage of this service.

For one flat rate, they can:

  • Validate your claim (which includes confirming if you qualify and checking the citizenship status of your relative)
  • Prepare a plan specific to your case to ensure you have the best chance of approval
  • Target possible red flags and prepare solutions
  • Collect birth records in Croatia (new copies are required)
  • Confirm exact requirements with your embassy or consulate and coordinate with them on your behalf
  • Provide guidance on preparing a successful CV biography (and coordinating translation into Croatian)
  • Prepare your family tree
  • Prepare supporting documentation
  • Coordinate translations for foreign documents, as needed
  • Assist with any issues or questions that arise after submission. They are with you throughout the process from start to approval.

As part of this service, you’ll have a dedicated Expat in Croatia caseworker who will follow up periodically to ensure you’re getting everything you need. You’ll also be able to reach out to them as well if any issues arise.

Having Expat in Croatia and our lawyer network on your side will give you the best shot at approval. It takes 1-2 years on average for applications to be processed, so best not to risk denial. This is nationality, after all, and obtaining nationality is a big deal.

View reviews from people who have used our services for citizenship here or jump to this section to view the last 20 reviews.

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Read about other Croatian legal documents


Source:
Domovnica

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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