Restoration for the Litvak Diaspora
Honoring your heritage and securing your future. Since 2016, Lithuanian laws have made it significantly easier for descendants of Litvaks to restore citizenship without renouncing their current ones.
Can descendants of Lithuanian Jews (Litvaks) restore citizenship? Yes. Since 2016, the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) has explicitly recognised that descendants of Litvaks who left between 1918 and 1990 qualify for citizenship restoration with dual nationality. The individual burden of proving persecution has been removed. This pathway applies to descendants from cities such as Kaunas, Vilnius, and Šiauliai — regardless of which country the family subsequently settled in.
Last updated: May 2026 · Reviewed by our Lithuanian citizenship specialists.
A Historic Shift in Law
In 2016, the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) clarified the citizenship law, explicitly recognizing that Litvaks who left between 1918 and 1990 are eligible for dual citizenship. The burden of proving individual "political persecution" has been removed.
Identity Recognition
We understand the specific historical context of the Jewish community in Kaunas, Vilnius, Šiauliai, and the many regional "shtetls."
Specialized Archives
We search beyond standard records, looking into Kahal registers, Jewish metrical books, and revision lists often missed by standard searches.
Dual Nationality
We ensure your application is filed under the specific legal exceptions that allow you to keep your current passport.
Finding Your Ancestors' Records
For many Litvaks, original documents were lost during migration or the war. We specialize in building a "chain of evidence" using both direct and indirect records:
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Internal Passports (Vidaus pasas): Records of citizenship applications or passport cards from interwar Lithuania.
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Voter & Resident Lists: Mention of your ancestor in 1920s-1940s voter registers or local "Pobūriniai" books, which confirm citizenship status.
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Military & Employment Records: Service in the Lithuanian Army or certificates from interwar state employers.
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Metrical & Kahal Books: Official Jewish birth, marriage, and death registers used as secondary proof of residence and lineage.
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Indirect Proof: If primary documents are missing, we use ship manifests, foreign naturalization papers mentioning "Lithuanian" nationality, and archival excerpts about family property or businesses.
*The Migration Department evaluates the "totality of evidence." We know how to present these indirect records to support your case.*
Justice for Generations
Lithuania was once a vibrant center of Jewish life. By restoring your citizenship, you are reclaiming a part of that lost history. Today, the Lithuanian passport is not only a tribute to your ancestors but also a gateway to the entire European Union for you and your children.
Our firm has successfully helped hundreds of Litvak families from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tel Aviv, London, and New York to reconnect with their heritage.
Verify Your Litvak Roots
Provide us with the names of your ancestors and their town of origin. Our experts will perform a preliminary eligibility check.