The Next Passport
How to Apply: Hungarian Simplified Naturalization
Step-by-step guide to claiming Hungarian citizenship by descent — from Konzinfo appointment to the fogadalom oath ceremony.
The Next Passport is not affiliated with the Hungarian government or any Hungarian consulate. Content is informational only and is not legal advice.
Processing time
6–18 mo
Submission → oath
Gov fee
Free
No application fee
US posts
3 only
DC, NYC, LA
Critical: OFFI translation is mandatory — generic certified translators are not accepted
All US-issued documents must be translated by OFFI (Országos Fordító és Fordításhitelesítő Iroda) or an OFFI-certified translator. This is a common rejection reason — confirm your translator's OFFI certification before ordering translations.
Step-by-step application process
- 1
Evaluate your ancestry chain
Trace your lineage back to the Hungarian qualifying ancestor. Identify each generation (you, parent, grandparent, etc.) and note any potential chain-breaker situations: pre-1929 emigration, female ancestors who married non-Hungarians before 1957, Trianon ceded territories, or communist-era citizenship deprivation. If any of these apply, consult a Hungarian citizenship attorney before proceeding.
- 2
Gather vital records for each ancestor in the chain
Collect certified birth, marriage, and death certificates for every link from yourself back to the qualifying Hungarian ancestor. For US-issued documents: order certified copies from the issuing state or county. Hungarian-issued documents (anyakönyvi kivonat) can be ordered from the relevant Hungarian civil registry office or via the IRN online portal. Hungarian-issued documents do not need apostilles.
- 3
Apostille all US-issued documents
Each US-issued vital record must be apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state that issued it (or the US Department of State for federal documents like FBI background checks). The apostille authenticates the document for international use. Allow 2–6 weeks per state — some states offer expedited processing.
- 4
Obtain OFFI-certified Hungarian translations
All US-issued documents must be translated into Hungarian by OFFI (Országos Fordító és Fordításhitelesítő Iroda — Hungary's official translation authority) or an OFFI-certified translator. Generic certified translators are not accepted. Find OFFI-certified translators through the OFFI website or ask the consulate for a referral. Budget $60–$150 per document and 2–4 weeks for translation.
- 5
Order your FBI criminal background check — ORDER LAST
The FBI Identity History Summary is required for all adult applicants. Order at fbi.gov/identify-me. Allow 10–14 weeks for processing. After receiving it, get it apostilled by the US Department of State. Then get an OFFI-certified Hungarian translation. Order this last because criminal record certificates are time-sensitive — check with the consulate for the accepted validity window.
- 6
Book your Konzinfo appointment
All appointments at the three eligible US posts (Washington DC, New York City, Los Angeles) are booked through konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu. Appointment availability varies by post. Book as early as possible — slots fill quickly. At the appointment, you will submit your documents, complete the conversational Hungarian language interview, and write your handwritten autobiographical statement (önéletrajz) in Hungarian.
- 7
Attend your consulate appointment
Bring your complete document package: e-honosítási form, your documents (birth certificate apostilled and translated, ID, FBI background check, 2 passport photos), and documents for each ancestor in the chain. The consulate officer will conduct the conversational Hungarian interview. You will write a short autobiographical statement in Hungarian by hand at the appointment.
- 8
Wait for Budapest Ministry review
The consulate forwards your file to the Hungarian Ministry of Interior in Budapest. The Ministry reviews your file and may request additional documents through the consulate. Expect 6–18 months from submission. There is no online status tracker — contact the consulate for updates if you have not heard after 18 months.
- 9
Fogadalom — citizenship oath ceremony
When the Ministry of Interior approves your application, the consulate invites you back to take the fogadalom — the Hungarian citizenship oath. After taking the oath, you are a Hungarian citizen. You can then apply for a Hungarian passport at the consulate. Hungary is a member of the EU, so Hungarian citizenship grants EU freedom of movement rights.
US consulates that process citizenship
Only 3 US posts — honorary consulates cannot help
Only the Embassy of Hungary (Washington DC), Consulate General (New York City), and Consulate General (Los Angeles) process citizenship applications. Honorary consulates cannot.
Washington, DC
Embassy of Hungary — Appointments via Konzinfo
New York City
Consulate General — Appointments via Konzinfo — high demand
Los Angeles
Consulate General — Appointments via Konzinfo
Book appointments at konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu
The conversational Hungarian interview
No formal exam or certification required — the consulate officer conducts a conversational interview and the applicant writes a short autobiographical CV in Hungarian by hand at the appointment.
- What to expect: Basic questions about yourself, your family, why you are applying — conducted by the consulate officer in Hungarian
- Önéletrajz: You write a short autobiographical statement in Hungarian by hand at the appointment — name, date of birth, family history, why you are applying
- Preparation: Heritage Hungarian community programs, Duolingo Hungarian, private tutors, and YouTube immersion are commonly used
- Children:Minor children included in a parent's application have no separate language requirement
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a Hungarian consulate appointment for citizenship?
All Hungarian citizenship appointments in the US are booked through the Konzinfo system at konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu. Only three US posts process citizenship: the Embassy of Hungary in Washington DC, the Consulate General in New York City, and the Consulate General in Los Angeles. Book as early as possible — appointment slots fill quickly.
How long after I submit does it take to get an answer?
Expect 6–18 months from your consulate submission. After you submit, the consulate forwards your file to the Hungarian Ministry of Interior in Budapest, which conducts the full review. When approved, the Ministry notifies the consulate, which then invites you back for the fogadalom (citizenship oath). There is no online tracking portal — inquire with the consulate for a status update if you have not heard after 18 months.
Do I need to bring original documents or certified copies?
Bring certified copies with apostilles and OFFI-certified Hungarian translations. US vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates) must be certified copies (not photocopies) from the issuing authority, then apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state, then OFFI-translated. Check with the specific consulate for their exact requirements — requirements may vary slightly by post.
What happens if the Ministry requests additional documents?
The Ministry of Interior may send a request for additional documents through the consulate during the review period. The consulate will contact you. Respond promptly with the requested documents — delays in responding extend the overall processing time. Common requests include clarifying documents for historical chain-breaker situations or name discrepancies across documents.
Can I include my children in the same application?
Yes. Minor children can typically be included in a parent's simplified naturalization application. Children do not have a separate language requirement. Check with your consulate for the current policy on including dependents and what additional documents are needed for each child.
Check your eligibility first
Before gathering documents, confirm your likely eligibility with our free eligibility check. It covers the ancestry requirements, language commitment, and flags historical chain-breaker situations.
Check your eligibility →The Next Passport is not affiliated with the Hungarian government, Ministry of the Interior, or any Hungarian consulate or embassy. Content is informational only and is not legal advice. Verify all requirements at konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu and the relevant Hungarian consulate before submitting documents.