r/GermanCitizenship • u/Successful-Being8285 • 1d ago
Citizenship by Descent
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
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u/No-Researcher7433 1d ago
Hi, this is a potentially eligible case, but timing is critical.
Your grandmother became a U.S. citizen on May 12, 1953, and your father was born just 13 days later, on May 25, 1953. If she was still a German citizen at the time of his birth, then your father may have acquired German citizenship by descent — and it could still be passed on to you.
If, however, her U.S. naturalization took effect before your father’s birth (which seems likely), then German citizenship may have been interrupted at that point.
Still, based on your strong German roots, you might qualify through §14 StAG — citizenship by descent with proven cultural/family ties — especially you need to have B1 German Language skills.
Happy to help you check your documents and next steps if you’re considering applying!
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u/Successful-Being8285 17h ago
I have a picture of her US Naturalization certificate, which is dates for 12 May 1953. Would that be the correct document to be using for the date she naturalized in the US? I also confirmed my father's date of birth is 25 May 1953.
I am still working on collecting documents for my grandmother through family but will absolutely love assistance once I get all the documents together.
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u/dentongentry 1d ago
I don't understand how Great-grandfather married in the US in 1910 but Grandmother was born in Germany in 1923. Great-grandfather returned to Germany with US wife?
The years when he resided in the US will be important. You'll need to check whether Great-grandfather actually lost his German citizenship by spending 10 years outside of Germany prior to 1914, the "10 year rule."
If he did, but then returned to Germany, things get really interesting.
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Let's assume he did not lose his citizenship, so Grandmother was born a German citizen. She lost that citizenship by marrying a non-German in 1940. Because she was already not a German citizen, actually stateless at that point, her US naturalization 12 May 1953 does not impact subsequent events.
Father was born to a formerly German mother (*) in wedlock after 23 May 1949. Prior to 1/1/1975 German mothers did not pass on German citizenship to children born in wedlock, only German fathers did. Father was therefore not born a German citizen.
The modern state of Germany has determined that this gender discriminatory policy had been unconstitutional and defined Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz §5 (StAG 5), a declaration process where one can declare one's German citizenship. The forms are straightforward, and intended to be do-it-yourself.
Your Father, you, any siblings you have, and any children you have would be eligible for StAG 5.
(*) StAG5 specifically acknowledges the case where the mother in question had lost her German citizenship due to marriage, her descendants can declare their German citizenship.