In a prior post, I detailed all the documentation I provided to Swedish Migrationsverket to confirm my Swedish citizenship. Based on my success and the letter I received, I believe my travel dates to and from Sweden had a huge bearing on the positive outcome.
My advantage came from saving every old passport, so I had accurate and complete travel dates that could be proven with the old passports. Compiling those dates showed I had more than one year of total time spent in Sweden before age 22, which helped me meet the requirement to maintain citizenship despite not applying to retain it prior to age 22.
The Travel History That Made the Difference
Directly from the translated Migrationsverket website:
“To avoid losing your citizenship, you can apply to retain it. You must do this after you are 18 years old, but before you turn 22. You do not need to make such an application if you have lived in Sweden or if you have regularly visited Sweden.”
My travel history showed 8 separate visits to Sweden before age 22:
- 1979: 82 days
- 1980: 76 days
- 1982: 78 days
- 1984: 76 days
- 1985: 55 days
- 1987: 51 days
- 1989: 31 days
- 1991: 28 days
My citizenship confirmation letter included the total number of days as 474 days / 1.30 years based on what I had submitted, which tells me this data was important enough for someone to do the math. I was extremely lucky to spend so much time in Sweden visiting family, and I can see now how it reflects a real connection to Sweden beyond tourist visits.
Don’t Let Lower Numbers Discourage You
Based on the vague wording from the Migrationsverket website – “lived in Sweden” or “regularly visited Sweden” – it could be easy to think you don’t have enough days. But don’t let fewer days than my list keep you from trying.
The case managers are looking for a pattern of connection to Sweden based on family ties, not just sightseeing visits.
What to Do When You Don’t Have Old Passports
Not everyone has every childhood passport saved. Because all my travel was before we had multiple ways to access data online, I didn’t have old travel confirmation emails or e-tickets to reference. I’ve researched ways to access very old travel information, and here’s what I found:
Option 1: Recent Travel (Last 10 Years) – Free and Instant
If you need recent travel information, you can use the US Customs and Border Protection I-94 website:
Website: i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Process: Click “View Travel History” and enter basic information
My experience: I tried this with my current passport number and nothing turned up, despite multiple overseas trips in the past five years. It’s worth trying since it’s free and instant, but results may be limited.
Option 2: Historical Travel Records – FOIA Request
For older travel records, you can request them through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
Website: FOIA.gov
Agency: U.S. Customs & Border Protection
How the FOIA Process Works:
- Visit FOIA.gov and search for U.S. Customs & Border Protection
- Review the helpful resources at https://www.foia.gov/how-to.html (includes instructional videos)
- Complete the online request form with your personal information. As emphasized a few times on the site, the more details the better. The more information they have to go by for research, the easier it will hopefully be for them to find your information.
- Provide notarized identification (required for personal records)
Identity Verification Requirements:
From the official requirements: “When an individual makes a request for access to their own records, their identity must be verified. The individual must provide their full name, current address, date and place of birth, and country of citizenship or residency. The individual must sign the request and provide a signature that must either be notarized or submitted under 28 U.S.C. 1746, a law that permits statements to be made under penalty of perjury as a substitute for notarization.”
You can also include optional identifying information like passport numbers or Alien Registration Numbers to help locate records.
Contact for questions: http://www.dhs.gov/foia or 1-866-431-0486
The Reality Check: Wait Times and Bureaucracy
2024 average wait time: 127 business days
2025 expectation: Likely longer due to staff reductions and increased requests from Americans exploring international options
This is exactly the type of bureaucracy that makes people want to give up. But for something as life-changing as possibly having access to an EU passport, think about what it would mean for you. If you want it, power through the process.
My Advice: Just Start
Assuming your request is complete and accepted, yes, it’s a long wait. But here’s the truth: each day that passes is a day further from your goal.
The process may be tedious, but if dual citizenship or international moving options matter to your future, the investment in time and paperwork could be worth it.
Have you tried accessing old travel records? What methods worked (or didn’t work) for you? Share your experience in the comments – it could help fellow readers navigate this bureaucratic maze.
Next week: I’ll share what happened during my first summer in Sweden and how those early visits shaped my lifelong connection to the country.