Citizenship; Application for Determination of German Citizenship

To verify German citizenship, the authorities in Germany generally require only the presentation of a valid passport or identity card. In cases of doubt, German citizenship can be definitively established.

Upon request, German citizens receive a certificate of citizenship to prove their German citizenship.

Foreign nationals may, upon request, receive a certificate of non-citizenship, which they can use to prove that they do not hold German citizenship.

• Certificate of Citizenship: Proof of German citizenship and proof of an interest in the matter 
• Certificate of Non-Citizenship: Does not hold German citizenship

The application for issuance of a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of non-citizenship must be submitted to the Citizenship Authority (District Administrative Authority).

The application for a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of non-citizenship must include the applicant’s personal information and be accompanied by documents or other evidence proving whether or not the applicant holds German citizenship.

At many agencies, the application can already be submitted online or, alternatively, in paper form.

The processing time may take several months. It depends largely on the extent to which you assist the citizenship authority in fulfilling your obligation to cooperate, as well as on the clarity of the attached documents. Significant delays may occur if it becomes necessary to make inquiries in old records.

• Application available from the relevant authority or through an online process
• Documents Proving German Citizenship
  
  • Documents or other evidence of the acquisition or possession of German citizenship, such as:
    • Certificates of naturalization
    • Certificates or documents regarding the acquisition of German citizenship by declaration or option
    • Certificates pursuant to Section 15 of the Federal Displaced Persons Act
    • Certificates of appointment for civil servants
    • Notices of determination regarding the acquisition of citizenship through service in the former German Wehrmacht and other comparable organizations
    • Documents evidencing membership in the group of persons covered by a collective naturalization
    • Displaced Persons ID cards, ethnic group registry cards, certificates of ethnic affiliation, or other documents regarding German ethnic affiliation
    • Evidence of (former) right of domicile, citizenship, or residence in the relevant areas; certificates of waiver of the right to renounce citizenship
    • Documents regarding possession of German citizenship or a former legal status as a German, or regarding treatment as a German
    • Certificates of nationality, certificates of origin, documents/identification cards regarding legal status as a German
    • Passports, identity cards, and other identification documents (including old ones)
    • Extracts from (former) family registers, lists of citizens, and citizen registries
    • Documents regarding military service or employment as a civil servant
    • Confirmations of residence registration; certificates authorizing the retention of German citizenship, displaced persons’ identification cards, (old) refugee identification cards, registration certificates (simple copies)
    • Other possible documents
  • If necessary, the following additional documents may also be required:
    • Documents proving that no other citizenship has been acquired (certificate of non-acquisition)
    • Evidence of the acquisition or possession of other nationalities
    • Name change certificates/declarations
    • Civil partnership certificate
    • Approval from the Federal Ministry of Defense or the Federal Office for Military Administration to serve in a foreign army
    • Documents regarding custody (for applications submitted by persons under 16 years of age)
  • Additional documents will be requested by the competent authority as needed.
• Documents proving that the applicant does not hold German citizenship
  
  • In addition to the information regarding your ancestry,
    • evidence of the acquisition and holding of foreign citizenships
    • Evidence of the loss of German citizenship
    • Evidence of having completed military service abroad

  are regularly required.

  • Additional documents will be requested by the competent authority as needed.

The fee for a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of non-citizenship is 51.00 EUR. A denial is also subject to a fee.

An action may be brought before the competent administrative court against a negative decision by the authority.