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naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I tired that. My grandmother was born to German parents, but according to the law up tp 1974, I think, it can only be passed on by the father and my grandmother was born before 1974, so I-m out of luck. :(but I-m sill going for Romanian citizenship.

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

butterbrot · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 53

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

I doubt I'd have any issues with VISAs or such. I have German ancestry, some of whom still currently reside in Germany. However, my dad was born in the United States and then moved to Germany.

butterbrot · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 53

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/willkommen/staatsangehoerigkeitsrecht/index_html

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

My ancestors were German nationals. Can I get a German passport?

German passports are only issued to German citizens. Having German ancestors is unfortunately not enough to attain German citizenship. Rather, your father and/or mother have to have been German citizens at the time of your birth. If you were born before 1 January 1975 and your parents were married, you only attained German citizenship if your father was German at the time of your birth or if your parents submitted a declaration by 31 December 1977 stating they wanted German citizenship for their child.

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

As well as German nationality, our child has had a second nationality since birth. Does our child have to choose between the two in later life?

No, as far as German law is concerned, if your child automatically had two nationalities at birth, he/she does not have to decide between the two at a later stage. Your child is therefore a permanent holder of dual nationality. In some cases, the law of the other country may however dictate a need to choose. You are asked to contact the competent agency of the other country in such cases (interior ministry or authorities or the foreign missions of the other country.

I/my ancestors was/were denationalized by the National Socialists. Can I get my German citizenship back?

Yes, victims of National Socialist denationalization measures and their descendants have the right to be renationalized in line with Article 116 (2) of the Basic Law even if this means multiple nationality. There is no need to prove knowledge of the German language. Nevertheless it is examined whether the German nationality of the ancestor could have been lost for reasons unrelated to National Socialism. Were this the case, the descendants would have no right to German citizenship. For further advice, please contact the competent German mission covering your place of residence.

cubs05 · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Barcelona, Espa�a

This is an old post, but finishing the thought: dagi is essentially correct but there are a few more wrinkles. Basically, the citizenship law was changed several times and it depends on whether your father or mother were married at the time of your birth.

I'm a US citizen and did obtain dual US/German citizenship through my father. I did not have to give up my US citizenship nor is it at risk. The US State dep't web site has a definitive statement, saying they discourage dual citizens, but they won't do anything.

If you want to know about the German forms and such, I can help steer you to the right places. It actually was easier than I expected, knowing German bureaucracy!

cubs05 · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Barcelona, Espa�a

This is an old post, but finishing the thought: dagi is essentially correct but there are a few more wrinkles. Basically, the citizenship law was changed several times and it depends on whether your father or mother were married at the time of your birth.

I'm a US citizen and did obtain dual US/German citizenship through my father. I did not have to give up my US citizenship nor is it at risk. The US State dep't web site has a definitive statement, saying they discourage dual citizens, but they won't do anything.

If you want to know about the German forms and such, I can help steer you to the right places. It actually was easier than I expected, considering the legendary German bureaucracy!

master_kaiser · Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Australia

cubs05 · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Barcelona, Espa�a

Yes, Masterkaiser, that's right. My father is still a resident alien. However, If I remember correctly, it doesn't make any difference if a parent obtains citizenship after the fact. All that mattered is that he was a German citizen at the time I was born. But we didn't have to research that fact, so not completely sure.

In fact, off to see my German relatives in Mannheim tomorrow!

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

Hi guys

Regardless if it is German or another European country, it will be more of an advantage. With all the paperwork involved in not being a dual citizenship with an EU country is a hassle. Right now I am in the process of getting all the papers I need to prove I am entitled to have a German passport.
The reasoning for this is that one school told me that because of the EU business, they prefer an EU citizen first over someone who is not is because of the paperwork involved.

DainaJ · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 62