German Citizenship By Descent
APPLYING FOR GERMANY CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT (USA / Germany)
Who is eligible to apply for German citizenship by descent?
On June 27th 2024 Germany made a historical shift and now allows dual citizenship. This is a significant law update from their previous stance on dual citizenship which has opened the opportunity for many people to become a citizen of Germany while simultaneously keeping their current citizenship.
Obtaining German dual citizenship is highly desirable as it opens access to you for wide range of benefits—including being part of an EU member nation. But it also allows people to embrace their German heritage and experience one of the great cultures of the world as their own.
In Germany, citizenship by descent is one of the best ways to apply for those with German ancestry in the USA assuming you meet the qualification guidelines.
German descent citizenship requires that you’re able to prove your German ancestry in an unbroken line that meets the current eligibility requirements. You will also need to navigate specific laws that have changed over the years. Still, the work is well worth it for the long term benefit for you, your family, and your future generations. This is one of the best ways to become a German citizen (nationality) and obtain an European Union passport which allows you access to all 27 EU member states.
It’s important to note that unlike some other European countries, can be slightly more difficult to obtain German citizenship by descent through a grandparent or great grandparent. (But it is possible, and we will cover that below.)
In this guide, we will walk you through all of the specifics of applying for Germany citizenship by descent in America. You’ll know exactly what the German citizenship requirements are what challenges to prepare for when applying for German nationality as an American.
Germany Citizenship by Descent at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What is Citizenship by Descent? | You can get German dual citizenship by descent if one of your direct ancestors was a German citizen. |
| Jus Sanguinis | German citizenship by descent relies on jus sanguinis ("right of blood"), not on birthplace. |
| Eligibility Requirements | Eligibility depends on direct ancestry. Specific laws vary based on marital status and birth date. |
| Married Parents Eligibility | Conditions depend on birth year. After 1975, either parent could pass on citizenship. |
| Unmarried Parents Eligibility | Conditions depend on birth year. An unwed German mother will always make you eligible. After 1993, unwed German fathers could pass on citizenship if their paternity is legally confirmed. |
| Grandparent Citizenship | If a grandparent had their citizenship revoked due to persecution (and that is why neither parent was a German citizen) then you can get citizenship by descent this way. |
| Required Documents | - Passports - ID's - Birth Certificates - and more |
| Application Steps | 1. Download application 2. Gather documents 3. Submit to BVA or consulate 4. Track application progress |
| Common Challenges | - Name changes - Language barriers - Lack of documentation |
| Processing Time | 2-3 years |
What is Citizenship by Descent in Germany?
You can get German dual citizenship by descent if one of your direct ancestors were German citizens. If you have a German parent, you could definitely qualify. Even some people whose parents are not German citizens but their grandparents were, may qualify for German ancestry citizenship.
It all relies on the principle of jus sanguinis.
What is Jus Sanguinis?
Jus sanguinis (the “right of blood”) is the basis of German citizenship through ancestry.
Essentially, the legal principle focuses not on where you were born but who you are related to. If you are German “by blood” then you could qualify for citizenship by descent with Germany.
In the United States, the competing principle of jus soli (the “right of the soil”) is used. That’s why the country grants citizenship to anyone born inside its borders.
What are the eligibility requirements for German descendants citizenship in America?
There are many people with German ancestry in America that may indeed be eligible to apply. German descendants citizenship requires you being able to demonstrate a direct ancestor—often (but not always) a parent—held German citizenship.
Under certain historical circumstances, such as Nazi-era persecution or gender-discriminatory laws before 1975, individuals were forced to give up their German citizenship. And children born in wedlock before January 1, 1975, could only obtain German citizenship if their father was German. A long overdue legal overhaul in 2021 made it possible for descendants of those individuals to reclaim their German citizenship.
Below, we’ve organized the precise rules for each legal possibility when applying for citizenship by Germany ancestry in America. Depending on the marital status of your parents and when you were born, you can determine if you qualify to be eligible for German descendants citizenship.
German Citizenship Eligibility through married/unmarried Parents
Eligibility for those born to married parents
- Born between January 1, 1914, and December 21, 1974: If your father was a German citizen at time of birth.
- Born between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 1974: If you were born to a German mother and a foreign father and you would be stateless without German citizenship.
- Born on or anytime after January 1, 1975: If either parent must have been a German citizen at birth.
Eligibility for those born to unmarried parents
- Born on or after January 1, 1914: If your mother must have been a German citizen at time of birth.
- Born on or after July 1, 1993: If your father was a German citizen and his paternity can be established by law.
- Born before July 1, 1993: If your father was a German citizen and his paternity can be established by law, you’ve lived in Germany for 3 years, you declared German citizenship before turning 23.
Can I get German citizenship through my grandparents?
If your grandparents were German citizens by being born in Germany and your parents were born in the USA and never held German citizenship getting citizenship by descent is difficult but not impossible. Under the new rules, you’ll need to meet the qualifications below to obtain German ancestry citizenship:
- Your grandparents had their citizenship revoked because of persecution or discrimination
- Your parents acquire German citizenship
The process works first through your parents. They can claim German citizenship by descent if their parents had citizenship taken away from them due to political persecution or gender discrimination. You can then apply obtain German citizenship through your parent.
Germany also makes it possible to regain citizenship even if living abroad—but only in cases where citizenship was revoked under the Nazis.
We will look more into reclaiming German citizenship after persecution or discrimination of ancestors in the section below.
Reclaiming German Citizenship by Persecution or Discrimination
Restoration on Political and Racial Grounds
You can restore your German citizenship if the reason you are not a citizen now is because of discrimination against an ancestor. German citizenship is granted to these groups:
- Jewish Germans who left Germany between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945 to flee the Nazis
- German citizens who were listed on the Reichsgesetzblatt (Reich Law Gazette)
- Descendants of someone in either category above
Restoration on Gender Discrimination Grounds
Just like for those whose German ancestors lost their citizenship due to Nazi persecution, there is protection for those who would otherwise have had citizenship if the law had not discriminated based on gender. This is category is defined as:
- Those who had a German parent but weren’t granted citizenship
- Those whose mother had to revoke German citizenship after marrying a foreigner
- Those who lost citizenship because they were “legalized” by a foreign father
- Descendants of someone in any category above
Getting citizenship through your grandparents can be difficult. Reach out for a free consultation with our citizenship professionals to see if our experts can help.
What documents do I need to apply for German citizenship by descent?
Documents will be needed to prove your identity and the identity of the ancestors in your German bloodline. This can include:
- Passport or ID: To prove your identity.
- Birth certificates: Drawing the lineage from you to your ancestors born in Germany.
- Certificate of good conduct from your current country of residence: This meets certain German requirements for good behavior.
- Certificate of name change: If your name has legally changed, this will reconcile your identity on your passport or ID with your birth certificate.
In certain situations, other documents may be needed. For this reason it is always recommended to navigate the application process with an expert in German citizenship.
How to Get German Citizenship by Descent
There are 5 primary steps when learning how to get German citizenship by descent.
- Click here to download the application from the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA, Federal Office of Administration) website.
- Procure and compile the certified documents proving who your German ancestors are—everything must be original or a legalized copy.
- Submit your documents to the BVA or the German Embassy or Consulate near you.
- Get a file number, which will come by mail or electronically. Hold onto this so you can reference the progress of your application with the BVA.
- Accept your German citizenship certificate.
What are the common challenges to getting German citizenship by descent?
The most common challenges you’ll face getting your German citizenship by descent are:
- Name changes: These discrepancies and inconsistencies will require added documentation to connect you to documents from before your name change.
- Difficulty understanding the language: Navigating applications and institutions that work entirely in German is extremely difficult if you don’t know the language. However, this is one of the only pathways to citizenship open to people who have no proficiency in German.
- Lack of documentation: If you do not have the documents needed to prove your identity, your ancestor’s German citizenship, or your connection to a German ancestor, you will not be able to successfully apply.
How long does it take to get German citizenship by descent?
Once you’ve submitted your application for German citizenship by ancestry and necessary documents to the BVA, you can expect a 2 to 3 year wait time.
Of course, that timeline can lengthen considerably if your application hits any snags. That’s why it’s important to be 100% confident in the application and documentation you submit.
Need help with any part of the German ancestry citizenship process? That’s why we’re here. Our experts walk people through the process every day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I claim German citizenship through ancestry?
Yes, if one of your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents was a German citizen you may be able to claim German citizenship through ancestry as long as you meet all of the eligibility guidelines.
Does Germany allow dual citizenship by descent?
Yes! Germany now allows dual citizenship (USA and Germany). So as long as the country you are currently a citizen of allows it, then you can obtain dual citizenship.
What are the new rules for German citizenship by descent?
In 2021, legal changes were made to German citizenship law which made it possible for descendants of people who lost citizenship due to persecution by the Nazis or through gender discrimination to retain their citizenship.
Who qualifies for German citizenship by descent?
Anyone with a parent who was a German citizen at time of birth may qualify. There are some other possibilities if your grandparent was born in Germany but lost their citizenship due to persecution by the Nazi regime.
Can I get citizenship if my grandparents were German?
Only if their citizenship was revoked by persecution and that’s why neither of your parents were German citizens at the time of your birth. Otherwise, no.
How many generations back can you claim German citizenship?
In most cases, only one. But exceptions are made for victims of the Nazi regime.
Can I get German citizenship if my great grandparents were German?
You cannot get German citizenship by descent if your most recent German ancestor were great grandparents.
How do I get German citizenship from my descent?
Download the application here, collect and turn in the right documents to the BVA or the nearest German Embassy or Consulate, and then wait up to 3 years for the decision.
How long does it take to get German citizenship by descent?
The application processing time alone takes 2 to 3 years. But the process may take significantly longer.
How to get a German passport by descent?
In order to get a German passport by descent you must first be a registered citizen. Once you are officially recognized as a German citizen we can apply for your German passport at your local German consulate which will last for 10 years.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
There different paths to qualify for Germany citizenship by descent. Contact us at (213) 799-2133 to help confirm your eligibility.
