How to obtain German citizenship by descent

If you are a parent or grandparent of a child or grandchild of German descent, you may be wondering if you can apply for German citizenship yourself. The answer is yes and the process is relatively simple. In this article, we will outline the steps you need to take to apply for German citizenship by descent and provide you with some helpful tips along the way.

What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent is a type of citizenship that can be acquired through the father’s or mother’s line of citizenship. This form of citizenship allows people to automatically become citizens of the country in which they reside, even if they have no other citizenship. It is important to note that this form of citizenship is not granted automatically and must be obtained through a process known as naturalization.

Citizenship by descent is often considered more advantageous than other forms of citizenship, as it offers many benefits, such as the automatic right to live and work in the country, protection from deportation, and the right to vote. Additionally, children of German citizens who were born outside of Germany but have lived in Germany for at least five years can also obtain citizenship by descent.

Benefits of being a German citizen by descent

• You have the right to live and work in Germany without a visa.
• You can apply for certain government benefits, such as healthcare and social security, without having to live in Germany full-time.
• You can vote in federal and state elections in Germany.
• If you are married to a German citizen, you will automatically become a German citizen.

Types of citizenship by descent

As a resident of Germany, you may enjoy certain rights and privileges as a result of your German citizenship. Here are four types of German citizenship by descent:

1. Nationality through Father:

If your father was a German citizen at the time of your birth, you automatically become a German citizen. However, this citizenship is not automatic if his father was not a German citizen at the time of his birth or if he did not reside in Germany during his childhood. In this case, it is possible that he can acquire German citizenship through naturalization.

2. Nationality through Mother:

If your mother was a German citizen at the time of your birth, you automatically become a German citizen. However, this citizenship is not automatic if his mother was not a German citizen at the time of her birth or if she did not reside in Germany during her childhood. In this case, it is possible that he can acquire national citizenship through naturalization.

3. Dual Nationality with another country:

If you have dual citizenship with another country, you may still be able to retain your German citizenship if both countries allow it.

4. Citizenship through ancestry (Jus Sanguinis):

This type of citizenship is granted to any person who meets the requirements established by law (usually having been born in Germany to one or both parents who were also born in Germany).

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Obtaining German Citizenship by Descent

1. Check your Descent:

Make sure your ancestors were German citizens at the time of your birth or naturalization. If you cannot find evidence of your ancestry, there is a chance that your ancestors were forced to leave Germany during the Holocaust or lost their citizenship for political reasons.

2. Meet residency requirements:

You must have lived in Germany continuously for at least five years and have a good reputation.

3. Demonstrate your Integration into Society:

Demonstrate that you are a responsible member of society by having a clean criminal record, participating in community activities, and having knowledge of the German language and culture.

Requirements for German citizenship by descent

• You must be a descendant of a German citizen.
• Your parents or grandparents must have been born in Germany.
• You must have lived in Germany for at least five years from the date of your application.
• You must have good character and have basic knowledge of German.

How to apply for German citizenship by descent

The first step is to determine if you are an eligible descendant. To do this, he must answer a series of questions about his family history. For example, did his ancestors live in Germany when the country was an independent nation? Did they fight on the side of Nazi Germany during World War II? If so, he may not be eligible for citizenship.

Once you have determined whether or not you are an eligible descendant, the next step is to gather evidence to prove your eligibility. This may include birth certificates, marriage licenses, military records, or other documents proving your connection to Germany. He will also need to provide documentation proving that he speaks German fluently and has lived in Germany for a certain amount of time.

The last step is to apply for citizenship through the German consulate or embassy in your home country. The application process is usually simple and only requires a few documents and some proof of residence in Germany. Once your application is submitted, the consulate or embassy will review it and approve or deny your citizenship application based on the evidence provided.

Cost of German citizenship by ancestry

The cost of acquiring German citizenship by descent depends on the type of citizenship sought. Extensive genealogical research is necessary to determine if any family member has been a German citizen or national.

However, if one or more family members were citizens or nationals, proof may include documentation such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, or military records. It is also possible to apply based solely on documentary evidence if all other requirements are met.

There is no cost to applying for citizenship by descent in Germany. However, fees may apply for meeting additional requirements, such as proving residency in Germany for the required period or taking the German language exam.

Frequent questions

1. What is German citizenship by descent?

German citizenship by descent is the right of children of German citizens born abroad to acquire German citizenship. This right is regulated by the Nationality Act (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, or BGB) and can be acquired automatically if both parents are German citizens at the time of the child’s birth or through a formal process.

2. How do I know if I am entitled to German citizenship by descent?

If both parents are German citizens when your child is born outside of Germany, then you will automatically be entitled to German citizenship by descent. If one parent is a citizen but the other is not, then their child may still be eligible for citizenship by descent if they meet certain requirements outlined in the Nationality Law (such as living in Germany for a continuous period of at least five years). . .

3. How do I apply for German citizenship by descent?

To apply for German citizenship by descent, you must first submit an application form to the relevant regional office (Amt für Staatsangehörigkeit). Once your application has been received and evaluated, a decision will be made whether to grant you or your child German citizenship. If you are granted citizenship, it will be retroactive to your child’s date of birth.