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German Citizenship by Descent
German Coat of Arms
Would you like to obtain a second passport in Germany? If so, you've come to the right place. With over 20 years of experience in helping people like you with genealogy projects all over the world, our team of specialists can assist you in getting your second passport through the process of jure sanguinis, or citizenship by descent.
There are currently around 142.5 million people living in the world today claiming German ancestry, some of whom are eligible for German citizenship through the process of citizenship by descent. The countries with the largest populations of people with German ancestry include the United States with approximately 45 million people; Brazil with 5-12 million people; Argentina with 3.5 million people; and Canada with 3.3 million people. There have been many waves of emigration out of Germany, which began in the 1600s and continue in the present day.
In Germany, the process of acquiring citizenship through one's ancestors is legally referred to as the "Principle of Descent," as descendants of German citizens are entitled to citizenship through their genealogy, depending on various eligibility criteria. This means that you might already be a German citizen, as your citizenship rights were inherited through your ancestors. However, it is important to keep in mind that a person's citizenship rights can also be lost, for example if their parents were naturalized in another country prior to their birth. To get your German passport therefore requires gathering a checklist of records that prove your entitlement to citizenship, which comes with many rights and privileges, including the right to live, work, study, and travel in any of the 27 member states of the European Union.
To expedite your citizenship claim, documentation can be gathered for you with the help of professional genealogists, lawyers, and related professionals who can represent you with your citizenship goals. You will also need the help of professional translators to translate these documents into the German language, which can then be submitted to the German government.
There are currently around 142.5 million people living in the world today claiming German ancestry, some of whom are eligible for German citizenship through the process of citizenship by descent. The countries with the largest populations of people with German ancestry include the United States with approximately 45 million people; Brazil with 5-12 million people; Argentina with 3.5 million people; and Canada with 3.3 million people. There have been many waves of emigration out of Germany, which began in the 1600s and continue in the present day.
In Germany, the process of acquiring citizenship through one's ancestors is legally referred to as the "Principle of Descent," as descendants of German citizens are entitled to citizenship through their genealogy, depending on various eligibility criteria. This means that you might already be a German citizen, as your citizenship rights were inherited through your ancestors. However, it is important to keep in mind that a person's citizenship rights can also be lost, for example if their parents were naturalized in another country prior to their birth. To get your German passport therefore requires gathering a checklist of records that prove your entitlement to citizenship, which comes with many rights and privileges, including the right to live, work, study, and travel in any of the 27 member states of the European Union.
To expedite your citizenship claim, documentation can be gathered for you with the help of professional genealogists, lawyers, and related professionals who can represent you with your citizenship goals. You will also need the help of professional translators to translate these documents into the German language, which can then be submitted to the German government.
Eligibility for German Citizenship
Nuremberg Chronicles 1493
One pathway to German citizenship is available through your ancestry, which in Germany is legally referred to as the "Principle of Descent," or Abstammungsprinzip. However, proving eligibility for citizenship and obtaining a German passport can be a very lengthy and complicated process, as there are many different rules and regulations regarding who qualifies. Unlike other European countries where a person can claim citizenship through their grandparents or even great-grandparents, Germany limits citizenship by descent to one's parents.
According to German nationality law, citizenship is not established by birth on German territory, but by legal descent from either a German father or mother. However, there are additional rules regarding how these parents are defined, and a person can be disqualified from German citizenship depending on their parents' marriage status, or whether their parents lost their citizenship by naturalizing in another country. For example, if your parents became citizens of the United States before you were born and prior to 1 January 2000, they would have lost their citizenship rights. Therefore, those rights wouldn't have passed down to the next generation, as children of former citizens aren't eligible for citizenship.
If your ancestors lost their German citizenship due to racial, religious, or political persecution by the Nazi Regime during the time period of 1933 to 1945, you would be eligible to reclaim German citizenship if you were born in Germany, or had ancestors who were citizens of the country during this period of time. This means that you can apply for citizenship beyond the normal limit of your parents, and might be eligible through your grandparents, great-grandparents, or more distant ancestors.
It's worth noting that the loss of German citizenship occurred automatically when a person was naturalized in another country prior to 27 Jun 2024, when changes were made to the current nationality law. However, German citizenship could be retained during this period of time by obtaining a Retention Permit (AKA Beibehaltungsgenehmigung), or by acquiring foreign citizenship without an application for naturalization. However, the Retention Permit was only issued under limited circumstances, as Germany did not allow dual citizenship at that time.
The German nationality act was amended on 27 Jun 2024, which now allows Germans to hold dual citizenship. This means that citizens will no longer lose their rights by naturalizing or holding citizenship in a foreign country, and a Retention Permit (AKA Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) is no longer required to prevent the loss of their citizenship. However, the law isn't retroactive, and if your ancestors lost their citizenship rights prior to 1 January 2000, you would still be ineligible to claim German citizenship under the new law.
Since 1 January 2000, another way a person could lose their German citizenship was if they served in the armed forces of another country where the individual also had citizenship without the prior consent of the Federal Ministry of Defence. However, this stipulation has been waived since 6 July 2011 for nationals of member states of the European Union; member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA); member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and countries as defined by Section 41 (1) of the Residence Ordinance (§ 41 Abs. 1 AufenthV). The United States, as a member of NATO, is also covered by this regulation.
In addition to the above rules, children born between 1 January 1914 and 31 December 1974 had to be born to a German father who was legally married at the time of their birth to qualify. If you were born during this period of time, you could only acquire German citizenship through patrilineal descent. However, children born on or after 1 January 1975 are entitled to citizenship if they were born in wedlock to at least one parent who was a German citizen at that time. It is also worth noting that children born out of wedlock between 1 April 1914 and 30 Jun 1998 could have acquired German citizenship through the process of legitimization, if their parents married during this period of time.
Between 1 April 1953 and 31 December 1974, children born in wedlock to a German mother and non-German father did not acquire German citizenship, but between 1975 and 1977 their parents could claim German citizenship for them. However, eligibility for this pathway to citizenship ended on 31 December 1977. Since 20 August 2021, children and their offspring can also obtain German citizenship by declaration, but this pathway is only available for 10 years after this date.
Children born in wedlock to a German mother between 1 Jan 1964 and 31 Dec 1974 could only become German citizens if they were at risk of becoming stateless. However, children born to a German mother on after 1 January 1975 would have automatically acquired German citizenship, regardless of their mother's marriage status.
In addition, children born out of wedlock to a German mother automatically acquired German citizenship on or after 1 January 1914. Children born out of wedlock to a German father after 1 July 1993 can only acquire German citizenship if paternity is proven, among other requirements. If you were born to an unmarried German father before this date, you did not acquire German citizenship. However, a person born before 1 Jul 1993 to an unmarried father can acquire German citizenship by declaration, if they do so before their 23rd birthday and have resided in Germany for at least three years.
It's also worth discussing the status of foreign women who married German citizens between the years of 1 April 1914 and 31 March 1953, as they would have automatically acquired German citizenship at the time of their marriage. However, during the period of 1 April 1953 to 31 December 1969, foreign women only acquired German citizenship under specific conditions, for example, by declaration at the time of their marriage. After 1 January 1970, citizenship by marriage was no longer possible, and could only be acquired through the process of naturalization.
If you were adopted as a minor by a German citizen on or after 1 January 1977, you are automatically a German citizen. However, if the adoption happened outside of Germany, there may be additional requirements that have to met to claim your citizenship. If you were adopted by a German citizen between 1 January 1959 and 31 Dec 1976, you could have claimed citizenship by declaration up to 31 December 1977.
It should also be noted that children born in Germany to non-German parents prior to 1 January 2000 didn't automatically become citizens at the time of their birth and are not eligible for a German passport. However, those born to foreign parents after this date are eligible for citizenship if one of their parents has fulfilled certain residency requirements.
According to German nationality law, citizenship is not established by birth on German territory, but by legal descent from either a German father or mother. However, there are additional rules regarding how these parents are defined, and a person can be disqualified from German citizenship depending on their parents' marriage status, or whether their parents lost their citizenship by naturalizing in another country. For example, if your parents became citizens of the United States before you were born and prior to 1 January 2000, they would have lost their citizenship rights. Therefore, those rights wouldn't have passed down to the next generation, as children of former citizens aren't eligible for citizenship.
If your ancestors lost their German citizenship due to racial, religious, or political persecution by the Nazi Regime during the time period of 1933 to 1945, you would be eligible to reclaim German citizenship if you were born in Germany, or had ancestors who were citizens of the country during this period of time. This means that you can apply for citizenship beyond the normal limit of your parents, and might be eligible through your grandparents, great-grandparents, or more distant ancestors.
It's worth noting that the loss of German citizenship occurred automatically when a person was naturalized in another country prior to 27 Jun 2024, when changes were made to the current nationality law. However, German citizenship could be retained during this period of time by obtaining a Retention Permit (AKA Beibehaltungsgenehmigung), or by acquiring foreign citizenship without an application for naturalization. However, the Retention Permit was only issued under limited circumstances, as Germany did not allow dual citizenship at that time.
The German nationality act was amended on 27 Jun 2024, which now allows Germans to hold dual citizenship. This means that citizens will no longer lose their rights by naturalizing or holding citizenship in a foreign country, and a Retention Permit (AKA Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) is no longer required to prevent the loss of their citizenship. However, the law isn't retroactive, and if your ancestors lost their citizenship rights prior to 1 January 2000, you would still be ineligible to claim German citizenship under the new law.
Since 1 January 2000, another way a person could lose their German citizenship was if they served in the armed forces of another country where the individual also had citizenship without the prior consent of the Federal Ministry of Defence. However, this stipulation has been waived since 6 July 2011 for nationals of member states of the European Union; member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA); member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and countries as defined by Section 41 (1) of the Residence Ordinance (§ 41 Abs. 1 AufenthV). The United States, as a member of NATO, is also covered by this regulation.
In addition to the above rules, children born between 1 January 1914 and 31 December 1974 had to be born to a German father who was legally married at the time of their birth to qualify. If you were born during this period of time, you could only acquire German citizenship through patrilineal descent. However, children born on or after 1 January 1975 are entitled to citizenship if they were born in wedlock to at least one parent who was a German citizen at that time. It is also worth noting that children born out of wedlock between 1 April 1914 and 30 Jun 1998 could have acquired German citizenship through the process of legitimization, if their parents married during this period of time.
Between 1 April 1953 and 31 December 1974, children born in wedlock to a German mother and non-German father did not acquire German citizenship, but between 1975 and 1977 their parents could claim German citizenship for them. However, eligibility for this pathway to citizenship ended on 31 December 1977. Since 20 August 2021, children and their offspring can also obtain German citizenship by declaration, but this pathway is only available for 10 years after this date.
Children born in wedlock to a German mother between 1 Jan 1964 and 31 Dec 1974 could only become German citizens if they were at risk of becoming stateless. However, children born to a German mother on after 1 January 1975 would have automatically acquired German citizenship, regardless of their mother's marriage status.
In addition, children born out of wedlock to a German mother automatically acquired German citizenship on or after 1 January 1914. Children born out of wedlock to a German father after 1 July 1993 can only acquire German citizenship if paternity is proven, among other requirements. If you were born to an unmarried German father before this date, you did not acquire German citizenship. However, a person born before 1 Jul 1993 to an unmarried father can acquire German citizenship by declaration, if they do so before their 23rd birthday and have resided in Germany for at least three years.
It's also worth discussing the status of foreign women who married German citizens between the years of 1 April 1914 and 31 March 1953, as they would have automatically acquired German citizenship at the time of their marriage. However, during the period of 1 April 1953 to 31 December 1969, foreign women only acquired German citizenship under specific conditions, for example, by declaration at the time of their marriage. After 1 January 1970, citizenship by marriage was no longer possible, and could only be acquired through the process of naturalization.
If you were adopted as a minor by a German citizen on or after 1 January 1977, you are automatically a German citizen. However, if the adoption happened outside of Germany, there may be additional requirements that have to met to claim your citizenship. If you were adopted by a German citizen between 1 January 1959 and 31 Dec 1976, you could have claimed citizenship by declaration up to 31 December 1977.
It should also be noted that children born in Germany to non-German parents prior to 1 January 2000 didn't automatically become citizens at the time of their birth and are not eligible for a German passport. However, those born to foreign parents after this date are eligible for citizenship if one of their parents has fulfilled certain residency requirements.
Benefits of German Citizenship
Flag of Germany
There are many benefits relating to German citizenship, especially since Germany is one of the 27 member countries of the European Union. As a German passport holder, some of the rights, benefits, and privileges you will enjoy include the following:
- Right to visa-free travel within the EU and Schengen Area
- Right to live in any EU member state or Schengen Area
- Right to work or start a business in Germany and other EU countries
- Right to vote in German national elections and European Parliament elections
- Ability to purchase property anywhere in the EU
- Access to universal health care
- Reduced or free tuition at the university level in any EU member state
- Constitutional protections of your civil rights
Required Documents
It is not enough to simply supply the German government with a few records like birth, marriage, or death certificates to prove your eligibility for German citizenship. A large collection of records, along with their associated certifications, apostilles, and translations must be submitted to the German government to correctly document your heritage. These records would be found at many different locations, including civil registry offices, regional archives, public libraries, national archives, church parishes, and elsewhere. Records that would help substantiate your claim would include many different types of records relating to yourself, spouse, children, parents, and other relatives, and might include the following:
Map of Germany circa 1690
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Where to Apply
Diplomatic missions of Germany
After gathering all of the required records for your citizenship application, you can apply to a German embassy or consulate with jurisdiction in your area, or to the German Federal Office of Administration, or Bundesverwaltungsamt (also known as BVA).
It is important to note that any documents found outside of Germany would need to include apostilles for international records, as well as certified translations into the German language.
The current charge for processing applications is €255 per adult and €55 for children under 18. It is also worth noting that processing time for applications generally take 2 to 3 years, although the research and records collection part of the process usually happens much more quickly.
It is important to note that any documents found outside of Germany would need to include apostilles for international records, as well as certified translations into the German language.
The current charge for processing applications is €255 per adult and €55 for children under 18. It is also worth noting that processing time for applications generally take 2 to 3 years, although the research and records collection part of the process usually happens much more quickly.
Application with Family Members
Dresden, Germany in 1521
Another great benefit of German citizenship is that you can pass it on to your descendants. If you're applying for citizenship with other members of your family, any children under 16 are automatically entitled to German citizenship. If you have any adult children who would also like to apply, their applications would need to be submitted individually, and they would need to obtain any relevant documents, certifications, apostilles, and translations separately from your research package.
Spouses of those acquiring citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis are ineligible for German citizenship, but through their spouse they would have many of the same rights and privileges to live and work in the European Union. However, after a period of residency, they can apply for citizenship through the standard naturalization process.
Spouses of those acquiring citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis are ineligible for German citizenship, but through their spouse they would have many of the same rights and privileges to live and work in the European Union. However, after a period of residency, they can apply for citizenship through the standard naturalization process.
Getting Your German Passport
German Passport
The German passport is one of the strongest in the world and currently ranks third globally, along with Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. It allows visa-free access to 189 countries, making it a highly sought after travel document for those seeking second citizenship. Germany also allows dual citizenship, so citizens of countries like the United States, Canada, Argentina, and elsewhere would still be able to retain their native citizenship after getting their German passport.
After your application for German citizenship has been approved, you can apply for a passport through the German consulate that has jurisdiction in your current place of residence. To do this, you'll need to make an appointment with the consulate through their online reservation system to schedule an in-office visit for completion of your application, as German passports now require fingerprinting and other biometrics before being issued. You will need to bring a number of important records to your visit, including your application form, two identical biometric photos, birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree (if applicable), previous passport, proof of current name usage, German naturalization certificate, driver's license or utility bill (showing proof of residence), passports/identification cards of parents, residence title of parents, and parents' marriage certificate.
After your application for German citizenship has been approved, you can apply for a passport through the German consulate that has jurisdiction in your current place of residence. To do this, you'll need to make an appointment with the consulate through their online reservation system to schedule an in-office visit for completion of your application, as German passports now require fingerprinting and other biometrics before being issued. You will need to bring a number of important records to your visit, including your application form, two identical biometric photos, birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree (if applicable), previous passport, proof of current name usage, German naturalization certificate, driver's license or utility bill (showing proof of residence), passports/identification cards of parents, residence title of parents, and parents' marriage certificate.
German Citizenship FAQS
What is citizenship by descent?
Citizenship by descent is the process by which an individual attains citizenship in a country through one's ancestry or family tree. The process, known in legal terminology as jus sanguinis or jure sanguinis, would be translated from Latin as the "right of the blood," meaning that one's right to citizenship is based upon their ancestry, regardless of where they were born. This differs from jus soli, or birthright citizenship, where one's citizenship rights are determined by their place of birth.
Does Germany offer citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis, also known as citizenship by descent?
Yes, in Germany this process is known as the "Principle of Descent."
How many generations of ancestry does Germany allow for a citizenship by descent application?
Germany allows citizenship by descent through your parents.
Why would I want a second citizenship?
Having a second passport and additional citizenship rights opens a world of possibilities for you and your family in terms of travel, economic opportunities, political freedom, access to high-quality healthcare, and world class education. In an ever-changing political landscape and globalizing world, possibilities also exist for a backup plan if needed for you and your family to begin a new life elsewhere.
How strong is the German passport?
The German passport is one of the strongest in the world and currently ranks at #3 globally. It is tied with Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and allows visa-free access to 189 countries.
Which records are needed for my German citizenship application?
You will need to document an unbroken chain of evidence between yourself and your German ancestors. To do this, you will need to acquire copies of vital records for each generation of your tree (i.e. birth, marriage, and death certificates). You will also need to locate ships’ passenger lists, naturalization records, and many other types of records.
Is there a language requirement for acquiring my German citizenship?
No. Your citizenship rights are derived from your heritage and don't require proficiency in the German language. However, it is recommended that you learn the language if your goal is to live in Germany and better integrate into the society there.
Is there a residency requirement for acquiring my German citizenship?
No. Acquisition of German citizenship is an automatic process, and your citizenship will be recognized even if your are living or applying from overseas.
How many hours does it take to do a German citizenship case?
Every project is unique, but most citizenship cases take on average between 40 to 80 hours of work from start to finish.
Can I apply for German citizenship along with my spouse, children, and other members of my family?
Yes. When submitting your citizenship application, you will be required to submit primary source records for yourself and other members of your family. However, only children under 16 can be naturalized with you, and your spouse would not be granted citizenship under your application. Children 16 and over would need to gather their own records and submit applications separately. Although spouses are not automatically granted citizenship during the citizenship process, as a spouse of a German citizen they would still have many of the same rights and privileges of a German passport holder, including the right to live and work in Germany and the European Union.
Will the German government accept digital or printed copies of my genealogy records?
No. All records submitted with your application must be paper documents with the appropriate certifications and apostilles for international records originating outside of Germany.
Do I have to renounce my current citizenship?
No. Germany allows dual citizenship.
How long have you been doing citizenship cases?
Our current research team, which includes many genealogists, attorneys, and other experts in the field, have been doing citizenship cases for more than 20 years. We have helped many clients get second passports in places like Germany, Italy, Ireland, and elsewhere.
Where are you located?
We are currently in the process of opening a new office in Dublin, Ireland, which gives us direct access to the European Union, United Kingdom, and Schengen Area. Our company headquarters, which falls under the umbrella of MyGenealogist.com, is located in Salt Lake City, USA, where we have access to the world's largest collection of genealogical records at the Family History Library. We also have on-the-ground contacts in many major international cities, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., London, Rome, Madrid, and elsewhere.
I can only budget a small amount of money for this. What are the cheapest options available for people with limited resources?
Citizenship cases are generally much more challenging than standard genealogy projects, as on-the-ground research is usually required at multiple archives and in multiple geographic jurisdictions and countries. Unlike standard family history projects, you are also required to get translations and special certifications of records during this type of project, which requires much more labor and time-management in terms of editing, records ordering, report-writing, letter-writing, and overall administration. This is the reason we generally recommend working in either a 40-hour or 80-hour block of research time, as most projects like this take around 80 hours total from start to finish. However, if you'd like assistance doing research on your own, we offer hourly consultations at €150 an hour, as well as research plans that take about 5 hours to put together, since we have to review all of your past research, records, and eligibility for citizenship based upon your current documentation. The price for this service would be €700. However, even if you are saving money on a smaller block of research time, you will still need to order certified copies and translations of the records needed for your case, which oftentimes ends up costing several hundred euros even when doing your own research.
If I only need a few records for my citizenship application, why would it take so many hours to complete my project?
Although you might only need a few records to help solve your case, gathering those individual records will be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process as these records will no doubt be found at multiple archives, libraries, public health departments, courthouses, registry offices, churches, cemeteries, and elsewhere. In addition, and especially for clients in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, records will need to gathered in more than one country, and records in Europe will need to found during onsite visits to a variety of government agencies and archives overseas. In addition to this, there is a huge amount of records review, analysis of evidence, editing, report-writing, and other tasks that must be completed during a citizenship case, which means that these projects are much more challenging than standard family history projects where research can be completed online at websites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage from the comfort of home.
How much does a standard standard German citizenship case cost?
As noted above, we recommend starting with at least a 40-hour block of research time for citizenship cases, although some cases take 80 hours or more to complete. It's possible that your case could be completed in 40 hours, but it might take up to 80 hours or more if we're encountering a lot of brick walls during the search for your ancestors, or if we're doing research in a lot of different jurisdictions. Our hourly rate for a standard 40-hour project would be €135/hour, so a project of this size and scope would cost €5,400. If the 80-hour project fits into your budget, there would be a €1,200 discount on the larger project, which would come out to €9,600. Although these projects might be out of the range of affordability for some people, it's important to keep in mind that the process of acquiring a second citizenship is a huge investment in you and your family's future, with all of the associated rights, responsibilities, privileges, and benefits that would accrue not only to yourself, but also to your descendants. Genealogy research can be a substantial investment, but it is also a great value in terms of what you'd ultimately be getting with affordable health care, educational opportunities, property ownership, freedom of movement, and citizenship rights in Germany and the 27-member block of the European Union.
What is the current turnaround time on citizenship projects?
Depending on your situation, most projects take an average of 10-12 weeks to complete. However, if brick walls are encountered in finding your documentation, the project could take considerably longer. In addition, some government agencies are notoriously slow in responding to record requests, which is the primary reason we recommend larger projects where we have enough time to do on-the-ground research in the places of interest, where we can often get records on the same day, thus saving time and labor, as opposed to waiting for records requests to come in from overseas, where you could sometimes end up waiting for several months or longer. The other thing to take into consideration in terms of timing and completion of your overall citizenship case, is that we will attempt to complete your project in 2-3 months, but you would still most likely need to make an appointment with your new country's consulate near your current place of residence. For example, if doing a German citizenship case, where you're currently residing in New York City, you will need to take your package of documentation to them during your appointment, and with the various consulates getting booked up many months in advance, the German government may take several months or more than a year to process your application, even after all of the research work and document gathering has been completed.
How long does it take to acquire citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis (AKA citizenship by descent)?
As earlier discussed, the genealogical research required for citizenship cases usually takes a couple of months. However, the entire process of confirming your citizenship can sometimes take a year or two because there are additional steps that must be completed in terms of your new country processing your application, and interviews with various consulates and government agencies might be required before your final papers are processed. Many countries, Germany being a good example of this, are literally swamped with requests for citizenship from people overseas in places like the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia, so processing time on the government side of things can often take a bit of time and patience for the person applying.
Will I have the contact information of the genealogists assigned to my case?
Yes. You will be in contact with a project manager from start to finish of your case. All projects are worked on collectively as a team, with researchers working in many different geographic areas and with different specialties. The project manager is responsible for handling all aspects of your case and would be collaborating with researchers, libraries, lawyers, archives, and government agencies as needed for completion of your case.
Why do records need to be certified?
Official copies of records would be needed for your citizenship case, which means that these records must be paper copies (not photocopies or digital copies) with the proper certifications or embossed seals as proof of official certification. For example, you can't print out copies of vital records, passenger lists, or census records from websites like FamilySearch or Ancestry.com and present them to the German government as evidence for your case. For these types of records, you would need to obtain official copies from many different repositories including libraries, archives, health departments, courthouses, and civil registry offices. In addition, you would need to get a separate certification, or apostille, for all international records.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an internationally recognized certification as defined by the Hague Treaty of 1961. Countries like Germany require that records found outside the country have this certification in addition to that provided by local health departments, government archives, and other agencies.
I now have all of the records required for my citizenship application. Which consulate or government agency do I need to contact for submission of my application?
You will need to visit the German consulate closest to your place of residence.
Do my documents need to be translated into the German language for my citizenship application?
Yes. Any records found outside of Germany will need to be translated into the German language by a certified translator.
Do I need an attorney to help with my case?
You may need the help of an attorney with your case if you are going before a court to apply for citizenship in Germany. However, if you are submitting your documentation to a consulate and were able to gather all of your required records by yourself or through the help of a genealogist, this might be unnecessary. For example, the consulate through which you're applying will be reviewing a checklist of documents needed for your case. If you have everything needed as required by the German nationality law, your citizenship will be confirmed based upon this checklist of records.
Can I live anywhere in Europe after acquiring my German passport?
Yes. after confirming your citizenship, you can not only live in Germany, but also in countries like Germany, Spain, France, or elsewhere. As a German and EU citizen, you have the right to live, work, study, and travel in all 27 EU member states.
How many countries are there in the European Union?
There are 27 member countries in the European Union.
What is the Schengen-Area?
The Schengen Area is associated with the European Union but not under its jurisdiction. The Schengen Treaty allows visa-free travel and residency in EU member states, as well as the Schengen Area countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Can I also live, work, or study in other countries in the Schengen Area but outside of the EU?
Yes, as a European citizen you would have all the rights and privileges to live, work, travel, and study in Schengen countries outside of the European Union. These countries include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, so you will have access to 31 countries total with your German passport.
Can I live, work, or study in the UK after getting German citizenship?
No, after the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2018, European citizens no longer have any rights or privileges to reside, work, or study in the United Kingdom without a residency permit. The exception to this would be Ireland, which has a reciprocal agreement with the UK.
Will I be subject German income taxes after acquiring my citizenship?
No, unless you become a tax resident of Germany and live there for more than 183 days a year.
Can my children or grandchildren attend university in the European Union after getting German citizenship?
Yes, unlike the United States where premier universities like NYU, Harvard, or Princeton charge upwards of $50,000-$60,000 per year in tuition, European institutions of a similar pedigree often charge much less or are even free for EU citizens. However, your children or grandchildren would first need to confirm their German citizenship through your application, if under 18 years of age, or on their own if they have reached adulthood.
Am I eligible for healthcare in the European Union after getting citizenship in a member country?
Yes. Health care in Europe is considered a human right, unlike countries like the United States, where people often go into bankruptcy because of high medical expenses.
Can I buy property in the EU after getting second citizenship there?
Yes, as a European citizen you can acquire property in any of the 27 member states, but there generally aren't many restrictions on foreigners buying property in most EU countries. However, having rights to ownership differ from rights to residency, so if you plan on living in your new property, you will need to get a residency visa or second citizenship in your country of choice.
Citizenship by descent is the process by which an individual attains citizenship in a country through one's ancestry or family tree. The process, known in legal terminology as jus sanguinis or jure sanguinis, would be translated from Latin as the "right of the blood," meaning that one's right to citizenship is based upon their ancestry, regardless of where they were born. This differs from jus soli, or birthright citizenship, where one's citizenship rights are determined by their place of birth.
Does Germany offer citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis, also known as citizenship by descent?
Yes, in Germany this process is known as the "Principle of Descent."
How many generations of ancestry does Germany allow for a citizenship by descent application?
Germany allows citizenship by descent through your parents.
Why would I want a second citizenship?
Having a second passport and additional citizenship rights opens a world of possibilities for you and your family in terms of travel, economic opportunities, political freedom, access to high-quality healthcare, and world class education. In an ever-changing political landscape and globalizing world, possibilities also exist for a backup plan if needed for you and your family to begin a new life elsewhere.
How strong is the German passport?
The German passport is one of the strongest in the world and currently ranks at #3 globally. It is tied with Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and allows visa-free access to 189 countries.
Which records are needed for my German citizenship application?
You will need to document an unbroken chain of evidence between yourself and your German ancestors. To do this, you will need to acquire copies of vital records for each generation of your tree (i.e. birth, marriage, and death certificates). You will also need to locate ships’ passenger lists, naturalization records, and many other types of records.
Is there a language requirement for acquiring my German citizenship?
No. Your citizenship rights are derived from your heritage and don't require proficiency in the German language. However, it is recommended that you learn the language if your goal is to live in Germany and better integrate into the society there.
Is there a residency requirement for acquiring my German citizenship?
No. Acquisition of German citizenship is an automatic process, and your citizenship will be recognized even if your are living or applying from overseas.
How many hours does it take to do a German citizenship case?
Every project is unique, but most citizenship cases take on average between 40 to 80 hours of work from start to finish.
Can I apply for German citizenship along with my spouse, children, and other members of my family?
Yes. When submitting your citizenship application, you will be required to submit primary source records for yourself and other members of your family. However, only children under 16 can be naturalized with you, and your spouse would not be granted citizenship under your application. Children 16 and over would need to gather their own records and submit applications separately. Although spouses are not automatically granted citizenship during the citizenship process, as a spouse of a German citizen they would still have many of the same rights and privileges of a German passport holder, including the right to live and work in Germany and the European Union.
Will the German government accept digital or printed copies of my genealogy records?
No. All records submitted with your application must be paper documents with the appropriate certifications and apostilles for international records originating outside of Germany.
Do I have to renounce my current citizenship?
No. Germany allows dual citizenship.
How long have you been doing citizenship cases?
Our current research team, which includes many genealogists, attorneys, and other experts in the field, have been doing citizenship cases for more than 20 years. We have helped many clients get second passports in places like Germany, Italy, Ireland, and elsewhere.
Where are you located?
We are currently in the process of opening a new office in Dublin, Ireland, which gives us direct access to the European Union, United Kingdom, and Schengen Area. Our company headquarters, which falls under the umbrella of MyGenealogist.com, is located in Salt Lake City, USA, where we have access to the world's largest collection of genealogical records at the Family History Library. We also have on-the-ground contacts in many major international cities, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., London, Rome, Madrid, and elsewhere.
I can only budget a small amount of money for this. What are the cheapest options available for people with limited resources?
Citizenship cases are generally much more challenging than standard genealogy projects, as on-the-ground research is usually required at multiple archives and in multiple geographic jurisdictions and countries. Unlike standard family history projects, you are also required to get translations and special certifications of records during this type of project, which requires much more labor and time-management in terms of editing, records ordering, report-writing, letter-writing, and overall administration. This is the reason we generally recommend working in either a 40-hour or 80-hour block of research time, as most projects like this take around 80 hours total from start to finish. However, if you'd like assistance doing research on your own, we offer hourly consultations at €150 an hour, as well as research plans that take about 5 hours to put together, since we have to review all of your past research, records, and eligibility for citizenship based upon your current documentation. The price for this service would be €700. However, even if you are saving money on a smaller block of research time, you will still need to order certified copies and translations of the records needed for your case, which oftentimes ends up costing several hundred euros even when doing your own research.
If I only need a few records for my citizenship application, why would it take so many hours to complete my project?
Although you might only need a few records to help solve your case, gathering those individual records will be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process as these records will no doubt be found at multiple archives, libraries, public health departments, courthouses, registry offices, churches, cemeteries, and elsewhere. In addition, and especially for clients in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, records will need to gathered in more than one country, and records in Europe will need to found during onsite visits to a variety of government agencies and archives overseas. In addition to this, there is a huge amount of records review, analysis of evidence, editing, report-writing, and other tasks that must be completed during a citizenship case, which means that these projects are much more challenging than standard family history projects where research can be completed online at websites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage from the comfort of home.
How much does a standard standard German citizenship case cost?
As noted above, we recommend starting with at least a 40-hour block of research time for citizenship cases, although some cases take 80 hours or more to complete. It's possible that your case could be completed in 40 hours, but it might take up to 80 hours or more if we're encountering a lot of brick walls during the search for your ancestors, or if we're doing research in a lot of different jurisdictions. Our hourly rate for a standard 40-hour project would be €135/hour, so a project of this size and scope would cost €5,400. If the 80-hour project fits into your budget, there would be a €1,200 discount on the larger project, which would come out to €9,600. Although these projects might be out of the range of affordability for some people, it's important to keep in mind that the process of acquiring a second citizenship is a huge investment in you and your family's future, with all of the associated rights, responsibilities, privileges, and benefits that would accrue not only to yourself, but also to your descendants. Genealogy research can be a substantial investment, but it is also a great value in terms of what you'd ultimately be getting with affordable health care, educational opportunities, property ownership, freedom of movement, and citizenship rights in Germany and the 27-member block of the European Union.
What is the current turnaround time on citizenship projects?
Depending on your situation, most projects take an average of 10-12 weeks to complete. However, if brick walls are encountered in finding your documentation, the project could take considerably longer. In addition, some government agencies are notoriously slow in responding to record requests, which is the primary reason we recommend larger projects where we have enough time to do on-the-ground research in the places of interest, where we can often get records on the same day, thus saving time and labor, as opposed to waiting for records requests to come in from overseas, where you could sometimes end up waiting for several months or longer. The other thing to take into consideration in terms of timing and completion of your overall citizenship case, is that we will attempt to complete your project in 2-3 months, but you would still most likely need to make an appointment with your new country's consulate near your current place of residence. For example, if doing a German citizenship case, where you're currently residing in New York City, you will need to take your package of documentation to them during your appointment, and with the various consulates getting booked up many months in advance, the German government may take several months or more than a year to process your application, even after all of the research work and document gathering has been completed.
How long does it take to acquire citizenship through the process of jure sanguinis (AKA citizenship by descent)?
As earlier discussed, the genealogical research required for citizenship cases usually takes a couple of months. However, the entire process of confirming your citizenship can sometimes take a year or two because there are additional steps that must be completed in terms of your new country processing your application, and interviews with various consulates and government agencies might be required before your final papers are processed. Many countries, Germany being a good example of this, are literally swamped with requests for citizenship from people overseas in places like the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia, so processing time on the government side of things can often take a bit of time and patience for the person applying.
Will I have the contact information of the genealogists assigned to my case?
Yes. You will be in contact with a project manager from start to finish of your case. All projects are worked on collectively as a team, with researchers working in many different geographic areas and with different specialties. The project manager is responsible for handling all aspects of your case and would be collaborating with researchers, libraries, lawyers, archives, and government agencies as needed for completion of your case.
Why do records need to be certified?
Official copies of records would be needed for your citizenship case, which means that these records must be paper copies (not photocopies or digital copies) with the proper certifications or embossed seals as proof of official certification. For example, you can't print out copies of vital records, passenger lists, or census records from websites like FamilySearch or Ancestry.com and present them to the German government as evidence for your case. For these types of records, you would need to obtain official copies from many different repositories including libraries, archives, health departments, courthouses, and civil registry offices. In addition, you would need to get a separate certification, or apostille, for all international records.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an internationally recognized certification as defined by the Hague Treaty of 1961. Countries like Germany require that records found outside the country have this certification in addition to that provided by local health departments, government archives, and other agencies.
I now have all of the records required for my citizenship application. Which consulate or government agency do I need to contact for submission of my application?
You will need to visit the German consulate closest to your place of residence.
Do my documents need to be translated into the German language for my citizenship application?
Yes. Any records found outside of Germany will need to be translated into the German language by a certified translator.
Do I need an attorney to help with my case?
You may need the help of an attorney with your case if you are going before a court to apply for citizenship in Germany. However, if you are submitting your documentation to a consulate and were able to gather all of your required records by yourself or through the help of a genealogist, this might be unnecessary. For example, the consulate through which you're applying will be reviewing a checklist of documents needed for your case. If you have everything needed as required by the German nationality law, your citizenship will be confirmed based upon this checklist of records.
Can I live anywhere in Europe after acquiring my German passport?
Yes. after confirming your citizenship, you can not only live in Germany, but also in countries like Germany, Spain, France, or elsewhere. As a German and EU citizen, you have the right to live, work, study, and travel in all 27 EU member states.
How many countries are there in the European Union?
There are 27 member countries in the European Union.
What is the Schengen-Area?
The Schengen Area is associated with the European Union but not under its jurisdiction. The Schengen Treaty allows visa-free travel and residency in EU member states, as well as the Schengen Area countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Can I also live, work, or study in other countries in the Schengen Area but outside of the EU?
Yes, as a European citizen you would have all the rights and privileges to live, work, travel, and study in Schengen countries outside of the European Union. These countries include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, so you will have access to 31 countries total with your German passport.
Can I live, work, or study in the UK after getting German citizenship?
No, after the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2018, European citizens no longer have any rights or privileges to reside, work, or study in the United Kingdom without a residency permit. The exception to this would be Ireland, which has a reciprocal agreement with the UK.
Will I be subject German income taxes after acquiring my citizenship?
No, unless you become a tax resident of Germany and live there for more than 183 days a year.
Can my children or grandchildren attend university in the European Union after getting German citizenship?
Yes, unlike the United States where premier universities like NYU, Harvard, or Princeton charge upwards of $50,000-$60,000 per year in tuition, European institutions of a similar pedigree often charge much less or are even free for EU citizens. However, your children or grandchildren would first need to confirm their German citizenship through your application, if under 18 years of age, or on their own if they have reached adulthood.
Am I eligible for healthcare in the European Union after getting citizenship in a member country?
Yes. Health care in Europe is considered a human right, unlike countries like the United States, where people often go into bankruptcy because of high medical expenses.
Can I buy property in the EU after getting second citizenship there?
Yes, as a European citizen you can acquire property in any of the 27 member states, but there generally aren't many restrictions on foreigners buying property in most EU countries. However, having rights to ownership differ from rights to residency, so if you plan on living in your new property, you will need to get a residency visa or second citizenship in your country of choice.