People origination from Sephardic ancestry have struggled to become a part of the Portuguese world again, since immigration laws haven’t been very welcoming. However, Sephardic Jews can now get Portuguese citizenship under a few amendments. Even though most people choose to consult an attorney for the citizenship process, there are numerous things you can take care of beforehand. However, before anyone starts applying, it’s essential to prove their Sephardic ancestry.
Now, several ways can help prove your Sephardic Ancestry. Whether it’s your Sephardic surnames or a load of paperwork that will help prove your ancestry when applying for Portuguese citizenship. Before you start applying, let’s explore your options!
Ways to Prove Sephardic Ancestry
If you’re applying for Portuguese citizenship and hail from a Sephardic origin, , we’re sure you’re wondering how you will prove your lineage. Whether you’re a Sephardic Jew, or simply have a Sephardic lineage, we’ve put together a list of ways for you to consider.
Proof of Ancestory Using Sephardic Origin
There were numerous Sephardic ancestors that migrated to areas in countries such as North Africa, Middle East, Meditteranean or even areas in Netherlands after they were expelled from Spain and Portugal. One way to prove your Sephardic ancestry is by providing proof that one or more ancestors hailed from these areas. You could access these records through the Synagogue of London.
Discovering the Spanish or Portuguese Last Name
One of the most basic ways to prove your Sephardic Jewish Ancestry is discovering that one or more of your ancestors have a Portuguese or Spanish last name. While this may seem weak evidence, it definitely plays an important part in helping you further dig into your Sephardic Jewish lineage.
However, in order to find out the lineage or an age-old name, you must access the records of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation of London. These records are not available for the general public and can only be accessed with special authorization. In order to prove your lineage through the basic last name rule, you must find official proof in one of these records.
Providing a Ketubah
If you’re still looking for a way to prove your Sephardic Jewish lineage, then we might have another way for you. You can do this by providing a Ketubah. A Ketubah is a marriage contract or a prenuptial contract that can prove your Sephardic Jewish ancestry. The document contains the name of the spouse and their father’s name, written in Aramaic; it’s then signed by the groom.
Both the bride and the synagogue get a copy of the marriage certificate. While the bride’s copy can get lost over the years, the synagogue copy is the one that survives and exists in the Bevis Marks Records. In order to prove your ancestry, you can get a hold of the copy of a Ketubah and provide that as proof.
Having a difficult time trying to fill out the Portuguese Sephardic citizenship application? Then don’t do it on your own! Here, at Cohen & Cohen, we can help you through the entire process of applying for Portuguese citizenship. Whether you need help proving your Sephardic Jewish ancestry or just need someone to help you fill out the forms. we can help with it all. Reach out to us today, and we’ll get the work done for you.
*Warning: The Portuguese government is expected to change the laws in the future. The best time to apply for Portuguese nationality due to Sephardic Origin is now!!!
