Dual Citizenship: Which Documents to Translate for Each Country

You’re putting together your citizenship application, you’ve called three translation agencies - and suddenly you find out the translation done in Ukraine doesn’t count. Because Germany only accepts translations from a court-sworn translator, Italy verifies through the tribunal, and in Canada even your qualified translator cousin can’t touch your documents. Every country has its own specific translation requirements, and getting this wrong can delay your application by months.

Let’s break it down: which documents you need to translate for citizenship in different countries, who’s allowed to do the translation, how much it costs, and where people mess up most often.

What Changed in Ukraine: The Multiple Citizenship Law¶

First, some important context. Since January 16, 2026, Ukraine has had Law №4502-IX in effect - essentially legalizing multiple citizenship for the first time.

But there’s a catch: not with every country. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a list. As of September 2027:

• Germany
• USA
• Canada
• Poland
• Czech Republic

The list is gradually expanding - France, the UK, Australia, and other EU/NATO countries are expected to be added. But officially, it’s just these five for now.

As Baker McKenzie explains:

On the territory of Ukraine, a person with multiple citizenships is recognized exclusively as a citizen of Ukraine. They cannot invoke the diplomatic protection of another state while in Ukraine.

Even with a second passport, you’re only Ukrainian on Ukrainian soil. Government employees, judges, prosecutors, military, and security forces can’t hold dual citizenship. Everyone else is free to go for it.

One more thing: voluntarily acquiring Russian citizenship means automatic loss of Ukrainian citizenship. That’s a hard rule baked into the law.

Now let’s get into the specifics by country.

Germany: Einbürgerung and Beglaubigte Übersetzung¶

The most popular destination for Ukrainians. Since June 27, 2024, Germany allows dual citizenship during naturalization - no need to give up your Ukrainian passport anymore.

Naturalization Requirements¶

• Minimum 5 years of residence (from your Anmeldung date)
• German level B1
• Passed Einbürgerungstest (33 questions, need 17 correct)
• Stable income without Bürgergeld
• Clean criminal record

Documents to Translate¶

Document	Apostille needed?	Translation type
Birth certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Marriage/divorce certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Diploma / school certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Police clearance certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Children’s birth certificates	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung

Beglaubigte Übersetzung is a translation by a court-sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) appointed by a German court. They stamp it with their seal, signature, and registration number. A regular notarized translation from Ukraine won’t be accepted by the Einbürgerungsbehörde.

You can find a sworn translator through justiz-dolmetscher.de.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Einbürgerung fee	€255
Einbürgerungstest	€25
Translations (5-7 documents)	€200-400
Apostilles in Ukraine	from 670 UAH each
Total	~€600-800

Pro tip: get the apostille on the original in Ukraine first, then order the translation (including the apostille) from a sworn translator in Germany. Not the other way around - otherwise you’ll have to redo the translation.

Italy: Jure Sanguinis - Citizenship by Descent¶

Italy is one of the most popular options for anyone with Italian ancestry. The jure sanguinis process lets you claim citizenship through your forebears.

What Changed in 2025¶

Since May 24, 2025, Law №74/2025 significantly restricted this path:

• Now limited to two generations (previously unlimited)
• You need a parent or grandparent who was exclusively an Italian citizen
• Consular fee doubled from €300 to €600

Documents to Translate¶

This is the biggest document package of any country:

• Birth certificate of the Italian ancestor (formato internazionale from the comune)
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates for every descendant in the chain down to you
• Naturalization or non-naturalization certificate of the ancestor
• Your birth certificate (long form, not abstract)
• Your marriage certificate (if applicable)

Translation Requirements¶

Everything not in Italian needs to be translated into Italian. Two options:

1. Verification at the Italian consulate (translation + verification included in the fee)
2. Translation + asseverazione at a local court in Italy (more about asseverazione)

Every document needs an apostille under the Hague Convention. Order of operations: apostille first, then translation.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Consular fee	€600
Translations (full package)	€200-500
Apostilles	€50-150
Total	~€900-1,300

As noted on the Italian Citizenship Assistance forum:

Each document must be apostilled before translation. The apostille confirms the document’s authenticity, and the translation then covers both the original document and its apostille.

Poland: Karta Polaka and Recognition as a Citizen¶

For Ukrainians from Western Ukraine (especially Lviv, Ternopil, and Volyn regions), Poland is one of the most realistic paths to dual citizenship.

Two Main Routes¶

1. Karta Polaka → citizenship: After 1 year of residence with a Karta Polaka and permanent residence permit, you can apply.

2. Uznanie za obywatela polskiego: Recognition as a citizen - after 3+ years of residence with stable income and housing.

Documents to Translate¶

• Birth certificate
• Birth/marriage/death certificates of parents and grandparents (to prove Polish ancestry)
• Police clearance certificate
• Polish B1 language certificate
• Permanent residence card

Translation Requirements¶

Everything must be translated by a tłumacz przysięgły - a sworn translator with official status in Poland. You can find one through the Ministry of Justice registry.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Recognition fee	219 PLN (from 01.07.2025 - 1,000 PLN)
Translations (sworn translator)	500-1,200 PLN
Total	~700-2,200 PLN

Heads up for Western Ukrainians: Archival documents from territories that belonged to Poland before 1939/1945 - the voivodeship won’t request them from Ukrainian archives on your behalf. You need to track them down yourself. These can include birth, marriage, and death records, census records, military records, even school reports.

Romania: Citizenship by Descent¶

If your ancestors lived in territories that belonged to Romania in 1918-1940 (Bessarabia, Bukovina - now Chernivtsi Oblast), you may be eligible for citizenship restoration.

Documents to Translate¶

• Birth certificates of the applicant, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents
• Marriage certificates for the entire chain
• Death certificates (if applicable)
• International police clearance certificate
• All certificates must have been issued within the last 2 years!

Translation Requirements¶

Translation into Romanian must be done by a traducător autorizat - a certified translator registered with the Romanian Ministry of Justice. After translation, notarial certification is mandatory.

As Henley & Partners warns:

Non-certified translations will result in automatic rejection and months of delay. Every document must be apostilled under the Hague Convention before translation.

New 2025 Requirements¶

Law 14/2025 added a mandatory Romanian B1 language certificate. Transition period runs until April 2026. Exceptions: applicants 65+, minors.

Costs¶

Romania is the most expensive option due to process complexity:

Expense	Amount
Legal assistance (full package)	from €3,500
Translations (if done independently)	€300-700
Processing time	30-36 months (!)

USA: N-400 Naturalization¶

USCIS translation requirements are the most flexible of all the countries covered here.

Documents to Translate¶

• Birth certificate
• Marriage / divorce certificate
• Military documents
• Education documents
• Police clearance certificate

USCIS Requirements¶

The key difference from Europe: in the US, you don’t need a licensed translator. Any competent person can translate a document, as long as they include a certification:

“I [name], certify that I am fluent in the English and Ukrainian languages, and that the above document is an accurate translation of the document entitled [document name].”

But the applicant themselves can’t translate their own documents. A third party is required. Notarization isn’t technically required, but USCIS recommends it to avoid unnecessary questions.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
N-400 filing fee	$760
Translation (per page)	$18-40
Typical package (5-7 docs)	$100-300
Total	~$860-1,060

Canada: The Strictest IRCC Requirements¶

Canada is the opposite of the US when it comes to translation rules. IRCC has some of the toughest requirements among English-speaking countries.

Who Can Translate¶

Option 1: A Canadian certified translator (member of a provincial organization like ATIA, ATIO, OTTIAQ).

Option 2: Any person + an affidavit (sworn statement about language proficiency and translation accuracy).

BANNED: The applicant, family members, or their immigration representative CANNOT translate - even if they’re qualified translators. As Isaev.ca explains:

IRCC specifically prohibits translations done by the applicant, their family members, or their immigration representative, even if those individuals are qualified translators. This is a conflict-of-interest rule.

Translations must be word-for-word - even stamps and seals need to be translated.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Citizenship fee	$630 CAD
Translation (per page)	$25-60 CAD
Typical package	$150-400 CAD
Total	~$780-1,030 CAD

France: Traduction Assermentée¶

French naturalization requires 5 years of residence and French B2 level (since 2025 - for everyone, no exceptions). Starting January 1, 2026, there’s a new civics test - 40 questions, you need 32/40 (80%).

Documents to Translate¶

• Birth certificate (with apostille)
• Parents’ birth certificates
• Marriage/divorce certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Diplomas and academic records

Translation Requirements¶

Only a traducteur assermenté - a sworn translator accredited by the Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel) - will do. Regular translations aren’t accepted by the préfecture.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Fiscal stamp	€55
Typical translation package	€200-400
Total	~€300-500

United Kingdom: British Naturalisation¶

The most expensive country for naturalization. Since April 2025, the application fee is £1,605, plus £130 for the ceremony.

Translation Requirements¶

All documents not in English or Welsh need full translations. Summaries aren’t accepted.

The translator must be a member of ITI (Institute of Translation & Interpreting) or CIoL (Chartered Institute of Linguists). The translation must include the date, translator’s full name and signature, and contact details.

Costs¶

Expense	Amount
Naturalisation fee	£1,605
Ceremony	£130
Typical translation package	£150-350
Total	~£1,900-2,100

Comparison Table: Everything in One Place¶

Country	Citizenship fee	Translation/page	Who translates	Apostille?
Germany	€255	€40-80	Vereidigter Übersetzer	Yes
Italy	€600	€40-80	Consulate or court	Yes
Poland	219-1,000 PLN	50-150 PLN	Tłumacz przysięgły	Depends
Romania	from €3,500 (package)	€20-50	Traducător autorizat + notary	Yes
USA	$760	$18-40	Any competent person	No
Canada	$630 CAD	$25-60 CAD	Certified translator or affidavit	No
France	€55	€26-70	Traducteur assermenté	Yes
UK	£1,735	£25-60	ITI or CIoL member	No

Common Mistakes: Where People Lose Time and Money¶

1. Wrong order: translating before the apostille. In most European countries, you need to apostille the original first, then translate the document including the apostille. Do it backwards and you’ll pay for the translation twice.

2. Using the “wrong” translator. In Germany - only vereidigter Übersetzer, in Poland - only tłumacz przysięgły, in France - only traducteur assermenté. A notarized translation from Ukraine isn’t accepted for naturalization in any of these countries.

3. Name transliteration inconsistencies. Oleksandr vs Olexandr vs Aleksandr - if your name is spelled differently across documents, it’ll slow things down. Solution: give the translator all your documents at once, including your passport, so the transliteration stays consistent.

4. Outdated certificates for Romania. All certificates for Romanian citizenship must be issued within the last 2 years. Brought a birth certificate from 5 years ago? You’ll need to order a fresh copy.

5. Family member translating for Canada. IRCC explicitly prohibits translations by family members or the applicant’s representative. Even if your brother is a certified translator, his translation of your documents won’t be accepted.

Tip: If you need a quick draft translation to understand what’s in your documents, upload them to ChatsControl and get a draft in minutes. For the official submission, order from the appropriate sworn/certified translator.

FAQ¶

Which country is cheapest for dual citizenship?¶

In terms of total costs, France is the cheapest (just €55 for the fiscal stamp plus translation costs). The most expensive are the UK (~£2,000) and Romania (from €3,500 with legal assistance). But don’t choose a country based on price alone - it depends on your specific situation, eligibility, and future plans.

Do I need an apostille for document translations?¶

It depends on the country. For most European countries (Germany, Italy, France, Romania) - yes, an apostille is mandatory under the Hague Convention. For English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, UK) - usually no, though there can be exceptions for specific document types.

Does Ukraine allow dual citizenship?¶

Since January 16, 2026 - yes, but only with countries on the Cabinet of Ministers’ approved list (Germany, USA, Canada, Poland, Czech Republic). Government employees, judges, and military personnel still can’t hold dual citizenship. Voluntarily acquiring Russian citizenship means automatic loss of Ukrainian citizenship.

How long does the naturalization process take?¶

It varies: Germany - 6-18 months processing (after 5 years of residence), Romania - 30-36 months, Canada - 12-18 months, France - 12-24 months, UK - 6-12 months, USA - 8-14 months. This is just the application processing time, not including document preparation and translation.

Can I translate documents myself?¶

For official naturalization applications - no, no country accepts self-translation. In the US, any competent third party can translate (but not the applicant). In Canada - only a certified translator or through an affidavit by a third party. In European countries - only officially appointed sworn translators.