What to Bring to Your Hungarian Consulate Appointment: The Complete Checklist

What to bring to a Hungarian consulate appointment is the question that comes up most in the week before a scheduled visit. Arriving with an incomplete document package means either rescheduling or making a second trip — neither of which is convenient when you have arranged to come to Derry, NH on a Monday.

This checklist is organized by service type. Find the service you need, confirm you have every item listed, and arrive confident. If you have any doubt about a specific document, use the contact form before your appointment — we will tell you in advance.

For Every Appointment: Universal Requirements

• Valid government-issued photo identification — US passport, driver's license, or Hungarian identity card. Must be current and not expired.
• The document(s) you need certified, notarized, or authenticated — originals only. Photocopies are not accepted for most services.
• Payment — cash or check made payable to Sylvia Rich. The fee depends on the service; contact us in advance if you are uncertain of the amount.
• Any correspondence you received from a Hungarian authority related to your matter, even if you cannot read it — bring it anyway.

Life Certificate (Életigazolás) for Hungarian Pension

• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Life certificate form from the Hungarian pension authority (NYUFIGAZGATÓSÁG) — or request that this office provide the form at your appointment
• Your Hungarian personal identification number (if known)
• The pension authority notice you received (if you received one)

Consular Authentication of a US Document

• Original US document (birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, court order, educational diploma, etc.)
• Apostille already affixed by your state Secretary of State — if the receiving Hungarian authority requires apostille first
• Certified Hungarian translation of the document (required for submission to Hungarian institutions)
• The letter or form from the Hungarian authority that describes what they need — this helps us certify it correctly
• Valid photo ID

Power of Attorney for Hungarian Property or Legal Matters

• The power of attorney document, drafted in Hungarian by a Hungarian attorney — printed, unsigned. Do not sign it before your appointment.
• Valid photo ID
• Contact information for the Hungarian attorney or notary who drafted the document, in case we have questions

Child's Birth Registration with Hungary

• Child's US birth certificate — with apostille from the state Secretary of State
• Hungarian parent's birth certificate and valid Hungarian passport or ID
• Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable) — apostilled if US-issued
• Certified Hungarian translations of all US documents
• Completed Hungarian civil registry application forms — this office can assist with these at your appointment

Citizenship Application Support / Simplified Naturalization

• Proof of Hungarian ancestry: birth certificates, marriage certificates, and citizenship records tracing the family line from you to your Hungarian ancestor
• Apostilles on all US-issued documents in the chain
• Certified Hungarian translations of all US documents
• Valid photo ID
• Any previous Hungarian documents you hold — passports, identity cards, prior civil registry documents

Declaration or Sworn Statement for Hungarian Proceedings

• The text of the declaration or statement — drafted in Hungarian if possible, or in English with a certified translation
• Any supporting documents referenced in the declaration
• Valid photo ID

When in doubt about any item on this list, send a message before your appointment. Describing your situation takes five minutes. Rescheduling because of a missing document takes weeks.

Practical Tips for Your Appointment

• Arrive a few minutes early — consular appointments run on a schedule and a late start can affect services rendered
• Bring originals AND clear photocopies of every document. Some services require us to retain a copy.
• If your name appears differently on different documents (maiden name, middle names, name changes), bring documentation explaining the discrepancy
• If you are acting on behalf of someone else, bring documentation of your authority to do so
• Children must be present for any appointment involving their documents, unless you have documented authority to act on their behalf

Book your Monday appointment using the online scheduling system, or contact this office with questions. We are here to make this process as smooth as possible.