2018 10 31 Dual citizenship for adopted children in Lithuania

The Seimas of Lithuania has adopted amendments to the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship, which will ensure retention of Lithuanian citizenship for adopted children. After an adoption of these amendments to the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship, a requirement for adopted persons to decide upon retention of Lithuanian citizenship thereof until 21 years of age will not be applied. Children who have acquired dual citizenship due to adoption will be able to retain it for life.

A version of Paragraph 6 and 7 of Article 7 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship valid hitherto has entrenched that “A citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may be a citizen of another state at the same time, provided he is a person under 21 years of age and was adopted by citizens (citizen) of the Republic of Lithuania before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 17 of this Law. Also, if he is a person under 21 years of age, provided he, being a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, was adopted by citizens (citizen) of another state before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired citizenship of that state.”

On the basis of provisions of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship valid hitherto, an adopted person had to decide upon country of citizenship which he/she wants to keep until he/she reaches the age of 21 years.

Amendments to the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania enacted by the Seimas of Lithuania on 18.10.2018, which came into force on 31.10.2018, will enable adopted persons to retain dual citizenship indefinitely.

A new version of Paragraph 6 and 7 of Article 7 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship entrenches that “A citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may be a citizen of another state at the same time, provided he is a person adopted by citizens (citizen) of the Republic of Lithuania before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 17 of this Law. Also, if he is a person - a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, who was adopted by citizens (citizen) of another state before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired citizenship of that state.”

Upon enactment of amendments to the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania adopted by the Seimas of Lithuania, rights of children who were born in a family and rights of adopted children will be equalized in respect of dual citizenship. Both types of children will be able to retain dual citizenship throughout the entire life thereof, and they will not be subject to the requirement to decide upon country of citizenship they want to keep until they reach 21 years of age.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER