[Liz Vos]

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[Maria Adkins]

Thank you for your presentation, I have wondered if obtaining Hungarian Citizenship was a possibility. Your presentation was very informative.

[Renata Forgacs]

Hi Raymond,
Consulates don’t normally ‘translate’ this to B1 or B2: most of them talk about intermediate level of Hungarian. I would also add, the level can be slightly different for your different skill sets: e.g. consulates usually don’t mind if you make some grammar mistakes (as long as your Hungarian is easy to understand) but your listening comprehension is very important so that you can catch those questions!
It’s great to hear you’ve been to the embassy many times – when in the future you will go for submitting your paperwork for citizenship you will know your way!

[Renata Forgacs]

Hi Raymond,
Consulates don’t normally ‘translate’ this to B1 or B2: most of them talk about intermediate level of Hungarian. I would also add, the level can be slightly different for your different skill sets: e.g. consulates usually don’t mind if you make some grammar mistakes (as long as your Hungarian is easy to understand) but your listening comprehension is very important so that you can catch those questions!
It’s great to hear you’ve been to the embassy many times – when one day you will go for submitting your paperwork for citizenship you will know your way!

[Renata Forgacs]

Hi again Marianna,
You are correct: the first step for you is to decide whether you might be eligible for Verification of Citizenship or whether Simplified Naturalization is the right path for you.
So in the past, there were different laws that meant a person could have lost their citizenship and the line of Hungarian citizenship broke in the family. The details are quite complex and if in doubt it’s always your local consulate that can give you legal guidence but as a guideline you could check out the NY Consulate’s page on the verification procedure: https://newyork.mfa.gov.hu/page/verification-of-hun-citizenship
Do you know where exactly your grandparents were born and when exactly in the 1920s they left Hungary? Unfortunately, those, who left Hungary before September 1st, 1929 lost their citizenship by living continuously abroad for a period exceeding 10 years.
Please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we can look into your case.

[Raymond Sosnowski]

P.S., when you say ‘intermediate level’ Hungarian for the interview, how does this translate to the A1 through C2 scale? B1 maybe.

[Raymond Sosnowski]

Thank you for this presentation! I had been exploring this when COVID derailed “normal life!” Time to review my prior efforts. I live in MD just north of DC and have been to the embassy numerous times during the EU Open House in May over the past years.

[Renata Forgacs]

Hi Marianna,
Thank you so much for your feedback: it’s lovely to know you have found the presentation useful.
Just wanted to send you a note to say it’s getting a bit late here but I’ll be back tomorrow to answer your question. Many thanks for your patience.

[Dusty Fletcher]

I hope that I’m understanding your question about breaking citizenship.
My paternal grandfather Vincze immigrated from Gortva-kisfalud, Hungary in 1906. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, and after his service was granted U.S. citizenship; at that time, he renounced his allegiance to the Apostolic King of Hungary, and therefore, lost Hungarian citizenship.

[Marianna]

Hello Renata!

Wonderful presentation and so informative! I wanted to ask how someone who emigrated from Hungary, which my maternal grandfather, grandmother, and uncle did, would break their Hungarian citizenship? I have yet to find actual birth certificates in Hungary for them; however, I have found records of birth in registries. I am also lucky enough to have possession of my grandfather’s passport from when he emigrated in the 1920’s. I would be interested to find out as I would now what path to follow to obtain my own Hungarian citizenship! I do not speak Hungarian.
Thank you and definitely worth watching your presentation. Very well done and clear and imformative!
Marianna

[Author]

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