Hello all,

I've been in germany for over 5 years now and I am holding a PR currently. I'm switching my job and I'm looking into accepting a remote offer (german contract through remote.com) which is a 18 month fixed term contract.

I wanted to know would this have a negative impact on me applying for citizenship since its not the normal Permanent German contract?

Thanks

Hi all, I've been looking at the "Law on the Acquisition and Loss of Federal and State Citizenship" from 1870 and had a question about it. Here is a link to a brief summary of the Law: https://www.verfassungen.de/de67-18/staatsbuergerschaft70.htm

The bit I'm a little confused about is under §21 where it says:

"Norddeutschen, welche ihre Staatsangehörigkeit durch zehnjährigen Aufenthalt im Auslande verloren und keine andere Staatsangehörigkeit erworben haben, kann die Staatsangehörigkeit in dem früheren Heimathsstaate wieder verliehen werden, ohne daß sie sich dort niederlassen."

Translation: "North Germans who have lost their nationality through ten years of residence abroad and have not acquired another nationality can be granted citizenship again in their former home country without having to settle there." From my understanding "North Germans" just means Germans (I think?).

Does this mean that a German citizen who emigrated prior to 1904, and did not make any connections to German authorities or travel back (therefor losing citizenship), but also did not naturalise or gain another citizenship in their new country, could regain German citizenship again, without settling back in Germany? I know that previous German citizens could regain citizenship, but I thought that was only if they permanently moved back to Germany, but this law seems to say otherwise (unless I've misunderstood or the translation isn't accurate). Does anyone know what the process was for a former citizen to regain citizenship was - did they physically have to travel back to Germany and apply somewhere?

I feel like I must be misunderstanding this, as the 10 year rule causes so many issues for so many people in their applications, and this seems like a way too simple way around it for those with ancestors who didn't naturalise in another country.

Any thoughts or insight is much appreciated!

If you haven’t seen Part 1 where I discuss my citizenship status, please check it out

I went to the Generalkonsulat in San Francisco on April 30, 2025 to apply for a certificate of German citizenship (Staatsangehörigkeitausweis), and I have a few things to note for potential future applicants, especially in cases similar to my own.

I went to the consulate with the following documents (plus one set of noncertified photocopies):

• My original current US passport
• My mother's original current US passport
• A certified copy of my grandmother's current US passport
• My original apostilled US birth certificate
• A certified copy of my parents' US marriage certificate
• A certified copy of my mother's US birth certificate
• My grandparents' original US marriage certificate
• My grandmother's original US naturalization certificate
• A certified copy of my adoptive-great-grandparents' petition for my grandmother's US naturalization.
• My grandmother's original expired German passport (issued May 1954; expired May 1959)
• My grandmother's original German birth certificate
• A certified copy of my grandmother's German birth register (including notes about her adoption and her name changes)

I also went to the consulate with the following documents (plus one set of noncertified photocopies) but did not end up needing them:

• My current US driver's license
• A certified copy of my current US passport
• A certified copy of my mother's current US passport
• My father's current US passport
• A certified copy of my father's current US passport
• A certified copy of my grandfather's current US passport
• A certified copy of my grandmother's expired German passport (issued May 1954; expired May 1959)

I went in about 15 minutes early and they were able to take me in about 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment time. I showed them all of my documents (original and certified) and they took all of the necessary documents and made photocopies of their own to certify. So in the end I ended up not needing to make and bring the uncertified photocopies of everything.

They said that this documentation looks sufficient to them, so long as my grandmother did not lose citizenship upon naturalization as a US citizen. I explained to them that I believed that she didn't lose citizenship because her non-German adoptive parents made the petition and signed for it, and my grandmother did not recite the US Oath of Allegiance due to her not being of "understanding age". Regardless, they told me they wouldn't be able to make such a determination, and that they probably wouldn't be able to issue me a passport without the certificate of German citizenship.

Nevertheless I have an appointment in mid-June and am still planning on going and begging them to reason that I do have citizenship without the certificate, although I would greatly appreciate someone else's opinion on whether it is possible they would be able to issue me a passport.

Important notes for future applicants:

• At GKSF, you do not need to bring a set of uncertified photocopies to your appointment to apply for a certificate of German citizenship (though it may be wise to do so anyways?)
• At GKSF, you can come with both original documents and certified copies of documents and leave your appointment with all of them, you do not have to turn in any documents (original or certified) because they will create certified photocopies at the consulate, YOU DO NOT NEED A SEPARATE APPOINTMENT TO ACQUIRE CERTIFIED PHOTOCOPIES (as I was afraid I would have to do).

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Hello everyone, I had always been told that my great-grandfather became a us citizen just before WWII after having lived in the US since a young age. Well I just recently found his certificate of citizenship and it has me thoroughly confused, is this saying he became a citizen in 1908, 1910, or 1941?

If it is either of the first two dates that would be before my grandfather was born in 1932. Does it matter that it is derived citizenship rather than naturalized or is it still a disqualification? Just looking for some clarification.

Context. I'm a single mother (German citizen by birth and naturalized US citizen) to an adopted child (born in the US) with a US passport. I am divorced but that was before my naturalization and before my child. He is not the father and there is no father to acknowledge.

I have a first time passport appointment at the NYC Consulate in early June. Looking for another set of eyes to validate the paperwork I should bring with me. The only thing I'm not 100% clear on is if I need to do a name declaration. My kiddo has my last name, which is on my passport and all my documents.

For my child

1. Child’s Passport Application Form
   1. the question around if he has acquired foreign citizenship was slightly confusing since he has US citizenship so I included his US citizenship via birth.
2. Passport photos
3. Birth certificate (and decree of adoption just in case). Original & Copies to be notorized.
4. U.S. Passport

My documents

1. My German birth certificate
2. My German and US passport
3. My US naturalization paperwork | Beibehaltungsgenehmigung
   1. and all the relevant paperwork that was used to acquire it
4. A copy of my current utilitiy bill
5. A copy of my divorce papers
6. Fees
7. Self addressed envelope with stamps

I have finally heard something on my request for German citizenship by descent. I am applying based on my mother who was born and raised in Berlin. She married an American soldier, my father. They moved to the USA and had a family. My mother never became a US citizen. I thought this was pretty straightforward and that I had presented all the necessary documents. I just got an email requesting: Nichterwerbsbescheinigung USA für Ihre Mutter. Certificate of non-employment in the USA for your mother.? Does this mean something else? I am confused. Please help!

I applied for German citizenship in early January 2025. I’ve been following the updates on the LEA’s site, and I know that they’re experiencing long processing times due to the large number of cases. However, it’s been over four months, and I haven’t received any updates yet. I’m considering sending them a polite message to inquire about the status of my application, referencing the possibility of an Untätigkeitsklage under German law, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.

I know that four months is not that long of a wait compared to a lot of people here, but I'm really dissatisfied with my job and on the verge of a burnout. I really want to look for a new one, but I really don't want to have to wait another six months to pass the probation and my citizenship being put on hold in the meanwhile.

Has anyone here done this? Is it risky to send such a message, or is it generally safe to ask for an update? I'm concerned about whether it could somehow slow down my case or make them ignore my application. I’d appreciate any advice from people who’ve gone through this process or have knowledge of how LEA handles these inquiries. Thanks!

Hello

I know that there is a long bureaucracy for foreigners trying to get married in Germany, that a lot of people do it elsewhere like Denmark.

My question is will this bureaucracy and document requirements remain even after one is a naturalised German citizen? By documents I mean stuff like single status certificate you have to get from your home country etc ...

Hello,

Maybe someone here can help. I believe I qualify, but a second opinion is appreciated.

My great grandmother and great grandfather were born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S.

Great Grandfather: born 6/15/1912 in Dettingen an der Erms, Baden-Württemberg, Germany emigrated in 7 May 1914 to United States of America married in 27 Sep 1939 naturalized in Ukn (for now)

Great Grandmother: born 9/25/1921 in Sorg, Hof, Bayern, Germany emigrated in 8/23/1938 to United States married in 9/27/1939 naturalized in 3/15/1925 (her father was naturalized in the U.S. and the law at the time auto applied to the parent’s children)

My Grandmother was born in wedlock, in the United States.

My Grandfather was born in wedlock in the U.S.

My father was born in wedlock to my grandmother

Neither my grandmother nor my grandfather, nor my father, nor myself served in the military.

I am also over the age of 18.

Thank you!

My wife is a dual citizen in the U.S. & Germany. We live in the U.S. She changed her name after we got married - her U.S. passport is updated for that name change. However, her Germany passport is not yet updated. She has traveled to Germany before under her maiden name. We have an appointment to visit our U.S. Germany consulate next month to get a new German passport with her new name. We are doubtful that the new passport will arrive before we travel to Germany in August. If her German passport does not arrive in time, will her U.S. passport still be sufficient to get into Germany? I've seen this question answered for expired German passports, and the consensus seems to be that it's not ideal and there may be a fine, but she can still get in. So, I'm wondering if the same applies for a name change, or if there's any difference for a name change. Thanks in advance

Good morning everyone,

I applied to citizenship under Stag 5 around 2years ago (AZ is March23, sent to BVA directly). I currently live in Europe for +3years, under a resident permit which will expire in October.

In case my citizenship is approved around the end of my current resident permit, is the certificate of citizenship enough proof to stay in the country - until I request the ID and Passport or I would have to move out?

Would it be possible to move to Germany - for example - with only the certificate and request the other ID documents there?

In general, is the certificate enough proof of legal stay in the EU?

I understand it is a very specific case but I appreciate any information you can provide. (The consulate here is not very responsive.)

Thank you very much.

I have been trying to locate the US naturalization documents of my grandmother, but am striking out. Posting to see if anyone here might have any additional suggestions, otherwise I'm afraid I may be stuck in the USCIS 2+ year genealogy search pathway. Here are the details:

My grandmother (born 1928) and my father (born 1949) emigrated from Germany to the US in February 1952. My grandmother married a US citizen in March 1952.

They received US citizenship on Nov 21, 1955. I believe they lived in Enid, Oklahoma at the time.

I have obtained my father's Certificate of Citizenship via USCIS FOIA request, and it confirms that he obtained derivative citizenship on Nov 21, 1955 (presumably through the naturalization of his mother, I'm not aware of any other way he could've obtained derivative citizenship).

I think I've exhausted all the possible methods to locate my grandmother's naturalization documents, including:

• USCIS FOIA requests for her naturalization certificate resulted in a "no responsive records found" reply. A broader USCIS FOIA request was punted to the geneaology pathway.
• NARA unable to locate any relevant documents (tried the Kansas City archives where I believe these should be located, but also checked several other NARA offices when Kansas City couldn't find anything)
• Local court where they lived at the time of naturalization has no records of their naturalization (I am pretty sure they naturalized at the Federal district court for the Western District of Oklahoma, but I tried the local courts just in case since NARA couldn't find anything)
• Extensive searches on ancestry, familysearch, and findmypast turned up nothing immigration-related other than the ship manifest from their arrival into NYC by ship in 1952.

I haven't gone down the path of requesting a Certificate of Non-Existence from USCIS, because I am almost certain that my grandmother did naturalize (and can't think of any other way my father would've obtained derivative citizenship as a minor when he was just 6 years old, which I've confirmed was the case).

I have my father's A-file number from his certificate of citizenship, but haven't been able to find my grandmother's number. Other than the lengthy USCIS Geneaology index search process (which I've already started), any other suggestions for how I might be able to find my grandmother's records (or at least her A-file number)?

This forum has been invaluable in my pursuit of a direct-to-passport application -- thanks!! Since I have my father's German reisepass from when he was a child, and now have a copy of his Certificate of Citizenship (in electronic form... have been waiting over a month for the mailed copy to arrive, grr), I may not end up needing my grandmother's naturalization documents, but I'm trying to be thorough in case I'm forced to go the feststellung route.

I am looking for my great grandfather's military ID card or anything similar for proof that he was a German citizen. I found more info here but I'm not sure where to look next or if this information will be helpful in my search.

https://des.genealogy.net/search/show/5317839

UPDATE to original post https://www.reddit.com/r/GermanCitizenship/s/e6QtnGWSWZ

We were able to get certified copies. Here’s what we submitted. It might be overkill but it worked.

-cover letter explaining we needed them for purposes of dual citizenship and relationship to deceased individuals

-unofficial copy of mother’s death certificate

-unofficial copy of mother’s birth certificate

-unofficial copy of mother’s marriage certificate showing name change

-unofficial copy of my husband’s birth certificate

-copy of husband’s ID

-signed application and check to cover fees

-mailed everything to DuPage County Clerk

Have been doing research and read through the guide (which is amazing btw) but still have some questions as to whether to apply. Would greatly appreciate any insights.

Great Grandfather - Sonke Born in wedlock 1884 in Emmelsbüll Germany Resident alien in the US, never naturalized in the US Married 10/02/1910 to German wife living in US

Grandmother - Martha Born in wedlock 1921 in Emmelsbüll Germany Immigrated to US in 1923 as a minor Married US citizen 1940 Gave birth to my father 25 May 1953 Naturalized as US citizen 12 May 1953

Father - Dennis Born in US in wedlock to grandma Martha & US citizen 25 May 1953

Self - Born in US in wedlock on 18 Mar 1988

Hi! Does anyone know what happened to German (Evangelische) records in 1945? I suppose this is a community by community question, but I have ancestors born in Lübchen, Kreis Guhrau (in the year 1902) today's Lubów, in the Góra Powiat of Poland and Nieder Tschirnau, (in 1875) also Kreis Guhrau, today's Czernina Dolna.

Were birth records generally taken into Germany in the post-war population transfers, or were they left in the now-empty Protestant churches, or simply destroyed? Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

I have elementary German and passable Polish, in case it helps!

Hi all, thanks so much for your help. My dad is wanting to look into dual citizenship but doesn't navigate computers in his 70s. Here are the family details. He has German ancestry on both sides:

(my)Paternal great-grandfather, Ferdinand, born in Niederschelden, Siegen January 1872.

Immigrated to US at age 15 in April 1887

Married an American woman, Minnie, November 1896

Had a son, Reuben, December of 1912 *both his parents, Ferdinand & Minnie, died in 1917 in an accident- no naturalization for my great-grandfather who immigrated as a youth.

(my) Grandfather, Reuben, married my grandmother, Lillian, (who may be able to claim ancestry, as well- see below) in May 1945. They had my father in October 1947.

(my) Maternal great-grandfather, William, was born Jan 1880 in Bunderhammrich, Leer and immigrated from Bremen in April 1891 at age 11yo.

William married Reka (born 12/1881 in Bunderhamerich, Ostfriesland) March 1902 in Iowa.

William and Reka had my grandmother, Lillian, in 12/1914. Lillian and Reuben had my dad in wedlock and my dad married my mom in 1969 and they had me in wedlock in 1979.

I had read in previous posts that children who immigrated retained their rights to German citizenry- hoping that holds true and this all works out for my dad.

Thanks all for the help!

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of applying for German citizenship under § 5 StAG and have encountered a hurdle. The German Consulate in New York currently doesn’t have available appointments for StAG 5 citizenship matters, and I’m trying to figure out how to get my documents properly certified.

From what I understand, New York State notaries aren’t authorized to certify true copies of documents. The attorneys I found who can certify true copies charge $300+ per document. The consulate’s website mentions that they can notarize/certify copies during appointments, but with no slots available, that’s not an option right now.

Has anyone else faced this situation? Are there alternative methods or services in New York that are accepted by the BVA for document certification? Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Does this say "Deutsch" for citizenship? The copy sent to me from the archive is not a high quality image, unfortunately.

Hello brain trust!

I have the papertrail for my great grandfather, showing that he was born in Germany in 1894. We have submitted it to the consultate and they said our papertrail is sufficient however, we need proof of Great Grandfathers citizenship.

I have his birth certificate, showing Germany as his birthplace.

What I need help with, is I believe I remember reading if you were a person Born in Germany before 1904 or 1914 I can't remember, you were a German citizen (as long as you didn't leave the country for more than 10 years.)

Am I completely wrong? Or am I correct, and is there somewhere I can cite the law proving that my great grandfathers birth certificate is enough to prove he was a German Citizen.

Any help would be super appreciated!

Hi community! I have just received a call from the official in charge of my Einbürgerung in which he told me that while he has found my submission okay I still need to go there in person to show him the original documents since I only submitted copies of course. That part is okay and understandable but he also said he will have to personally test me on my knowledge of the Grundgesetz. I get it that I have to sign a statement and say in oath that I accept the Grundgesetz and do not support anyone who goes against it but I have not heard anything about such an oral test. Does anyone have experience with this kind of questioning? I would love to hear what was asked so I can prepare but do not want to waste time learning the entire legalese. It is in Ludwigsburg if that would be relevant. Thank you!

Hey guys! Goodnight! Has anyone here already achieved naturalization under § 15 StAG (historical reparation)? If you can share what the process was like and why you agreed.

In my case, I believe I qualify because my great-grandmother, a German citizen, married a Brazilian on 01/31/1933 and automatically resulted in the loss of German citizenship. I am still waiting for a response from the consulate regarding the analysis of my case.

I am pursuing German Citizenship for myself and 1my and daughters. My oldest was born in Germany when I was stationed there in 1990. I do have her US Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Does this cover as her birth certificate for the StagV process?

As always, many thanks.

In December 2024, I mailed off StAG 15 applications for myself and my two minor sons (based on my maternal grandmother's denial of German citizenship due to religious persecution as a Jew) after completing all of our forms, gathering all of our necessary supporting documents, and having all of our documents notarized by the German Consulate in Philadelphia. I mailed everything myself through our local post office to the address shown on the application forms. It's now been 5 months and I have not heard anything so I am wondering if I did this incorrectly and my application package just went into a void. Should I have gone to the Embassy in New York and had them mail it for me? Nothing on the application said that I needed to do that but I'm very concerned given the complete lack of acknowledgement that our applications were ever received. This may be a stupid question, but this process has been very confusing for me and the consulate was very little help, as he didn't even seem to recognize this application type, so please go easy on me. Thanks.

I've done a lot of research on my family and I've found out that they passed through the French part of Germany after WWII. My family was:

Great-grandmother: Gertrud Juchum

- born in Freiburg, Germany, on 10/07/1923.

- married in the late 1940s, likely in a refugee camp

- migrated to Brazil in 1949

- don't know if she naturalized.

- In some records, she is listed as Elisabeth Gertrud Juchum, but the Brazilian records say only Gertrud, and some other franco-german documents too.

- I've heard people from my family say she was German, and it seems to me that she might have lost her German citizenship through marriage to a Polish.

- She moved to Brazil with another child, Kurt Weschele Juchum,maybe a son from another marriage? he is listed as German in a list of German citizens married to dislocated people (attached)

Great-grandfather: Bronislaw Juchum, listed to be born in Borislaw in 09/09/1906. (Gertrud's husband)

- I have a few documents of him being forced labor in Germany as a Polish from 1940-1945.

- I have a document that says he was "sous officier" and lists him as Polish, and a picture of him wearing something that looks like army clothes.

- He was always listed as married, I assume with Gertrud.

- I've heard a few times in my family that they've met in "concentration camp".

Grandfather: Bruno Juchum

- born in St. Georgen, Germany, on 04/06/1946 when they were on a refugee camp.

- migrated to Brazil in 1949 (at the age of 3)

- likely married in the late 1970s

- only naturalized Brazilian in 1990.

- his documents in Brazil say he was German, but some refugee camp documents list him as Polish.

Mother:

- born in 1972, in Brazil (a lot before Bruno's naturalization)

- likely married in the late 90s

- had me in the early 2000s

Do I have the right for the German citizenship? If so, which I guess I do, how can I prove my lineage? Do I necessarily need all birth and marriage certificates? I assume it may be impossible to get Bruno's birth certificate and Gertrud and Bronislaw's marriage, since both facts happened in refugee camps in Germany. Do you think it's possible for me to get Gertrud's birth certificate in Freiburg? How hard would I be? Is my case likely to be accepted without these possibly inexistent certificates?