Swedish passport holder told he was never a citizen

Mohammed Hussein, 26, was born in Karlskoga, renewed his Swedish passport and voted in Swedish elections. Authorities now say he was incorrectly registered as Swedish at birth and must apply for citizenship.

His parents were Iraqi citizens when he was born. When they later became Swedish, they were told he needed no application because the register already listed him as Swedish, TV4 reports. A letter from Skatteverket this spring revealed the error.

The Migration Agency told TV4 that the mistaken registration had not made him a citizen. By the report on 1 October, he had waited almost six months for his application. The agency promised faster handling but would not guarantee approval.

People uncertain whether they acquired or lost Swedish citizenship can separately request a free declaration of citizenship. It establishes their existing status; it is not an application to become Swedish.

The application uses form 322011 and requires certified documents, including identification. Residents in Sweden send it to the Migration Agency in Norrköping; people abroad submit it through a Swedish embassy or consulate-general.

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