German Citizenship by Descent & Ancestry

Under German Nationality Law, a person can be considered a German citizen only if the circumstances regarding their birth fall into one of the below categories.

(This means that those who are the child or grandchild of a person who is listed below will be considered eligible for German citizenship by descent.)

• Those born to married parents between January 1st, 1914, and December 31st, 1974, are eligible if their father was a German citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
• Those who were born to parents who were married between January 1st, 1964, and December 31st, 1974, with a German mother but a foreign father, who would have otherwise been stateless, are eligible. In this period, women who married foreign citizens would have to renounce German nationality and would be unable to pass it on to their children. The key aspect here is that the child would otherwise be stateless.

• Those born to married parents after January 1st, 1975, with one of the birth parents being a German citizen at the time of their birth.
• Those who were born to unmarried parents after January 1st, 1914, with a mother who had German citizenship at the time of birth.
• Those born after July 1st, 1993, with unmarried parents but a father who was a German citizen and proved paternity following German laws.
• Those born to unmarried parents before July 1st, 1993, with a father who was a German citizen who legally established paternity. In this case, the child must also have declared their German citizenship by the time of their 23rd birthday.
• Those who were born to parents who were unmarried between January 1st, 1914, and June 30th, 1998. Yet, the parents did marry after the time of the child’s birth.

Overview

Those who wish to apply for German citizenship by descent can do so through a German embassy in the country they reside in. Alternatively, they can also apply via the Federal Office of Administration in Germany.

For a person to be able to apply, they must have all required documents and proof of paternity and family history, including family books and birth certificates, ready before they apply.

While the application process for German citizenship by descent is typically streamlined and simple, the requirements and necessary documents can be time-consuming and complicated.

Since this is the most critical aspect of the application, many of those who apply will grant the power of attorney to immigration lawyers. If you are applying for citizenship by descent in Germany, our Total Law experts can help you with your application process with power of attorney.

Step-By-Step Application Process

1. The first step necessary is to complete the relevant application forms. A form package can be downloaded from the German Federal Office of Administration (BVA). Applicants only need to complete the ones that apply to them.

2. After this, applicants should collect the required documents for their application. The documents needed will depend on the specific circumstances of the applicant. These documents will need to be either original documents or notarized copies.
3. Once all the documents are collected and in order, the applicant needs to submit them. Documents should be submitted at the German consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country, or they can be submitted directly to the BVA. All documents need to be submitted either by post or in person; it is not recommended that applicants send documents via email.
4. After this, applicants should receive a file number. This will come in the form of a confirmation of receipt from the German Federal Office of Administration, which can be received by email or letter. This document will contain a file number, which must be saved and used in future correspondence.
5. After this, the applicant needs to be prepared to wait to hear an answer. It can be some time before you hear an answer, as these applications can take years before receiving the certificate of citizenship. If further information or documents are required, the Federal Office of Administration will inform you of this. Then, once all is prepared, the application will be processed.
6. The applicant will then receive their certificate of acquisition of German citizenship if their application was successful. This certificate will prove that you have obtained citizenship in Germany.

Before applying to obtain German citizenship by descent, applicants first need to collect the documents required to support the case. Applicants will need to supply documents that prove the person’s parentage:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Family books
• Certificates of descent
• Evidence of the family having had or having lost German citizenship
• Evidence of the family having had or possessed any other nationalitie

Should the applicant meet the parentage requirements for obtaining German citizenship, they will need to submit the following documents:

• Certificates showing good conduct from the policing authorities in the individual’s country of residence
• Proof of impunity. An applicant must not have been convicted of youth detention or imprisonment for two or more years
• Proof of custody (in the case of children under 16 years of age)
• Certificate of name changes, if required

All the documents that are required for an application will depend on the specifics of the situation and the individual’s circumstances. The BVA will inform the applicant if they need to submit any additional documentation.